ACTE Announces Arizona Superintendent as National Award Finalist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2020

Contact: Megan Kmiotek
mkmiotek@acteonline.org

ACTE Announces Arizona Superintendent as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Aron Schmidt, Director of CTE and High School Instruction at Vail Unified School District  in Vail, Arizona, as the 2020 ACTE Region V Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes administrative career and technical education (CTE) professionals at the school, district, county, state, or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective CTE programs.

Aron Schmidt is the Director of CTE and High School Curriculum for the Vail Unified School District in Vail, Arizona. Schmidt’s career began as a welding student and SkillsUSA State officer in high school, followed by becoming a high school math teacher, and which all ultimately led him to a career as a CTE administrator. Schmidt believes that engaging students to help find a career path is the most important service to provide to a community. As a result, Schmidt has developed internship, shadowing, and educational programs that support all community students finding a career path. At a state level, he has also supported the development and collaboration of CTE administrators across Arizona as the ACOVA State President. Schmidt was recognized as one of Tucson, Arizona’s 40 Under 40 professionals and under his leadership Vail’s CTE programs have been recognized for numerous local, state, and national awards.

Schmidt  is one of five finalists for the 2021 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on Thursday, December 3, during ACTE’s Virtual CareerTech VISION 2020. The Virtual Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, CareerSafe, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.