ACTE Announces Illinois School Counselor as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
ACTE Announces Illinois School Counselor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Lisa Miller, School Counselor at Cambridge District 227 in Cambridge, IL, as the recipient of the 2021 ACTE Region III Counseling and Career Development Professional Award. This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for career and technical education (CTE) as a viable option for all students.
Lisa Miller is an AlWood High School graduate who received her Bachelor of Science degree at Northern Illinois University in Physical Education and Health. She taught physical education and health for many years and then earned her Master of Science Degree from Western Illinois University in Counseling. She has been a school counselor at Cambridge High School since 2008. In her school district she has spent many years coaching high school volleyball, basketball, and track, and is currently the Student Council and Leadership Team advisor and serves on both the School Improvement Team and School Crisis Team.
In her community, Miller coached youth softball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as served on the Cambridge Youth Sports League and served as a 4-H leader. She is currently a member of the Cambridge FFA Alumni, where she served as president for the past ten years and is a member of the Cambridge Agriculture Advisory Council. She is a member of the Quad City Youth Conference Board, the Western Illinois University Advisory Board, and served on the Black Hawk College Advisory Committee. She serves as a beef superintendent for the Henry County Fair, an assistant beef superintendent for the Illinois State Fair, and volunteered at shows at the county, state, and national levels.
Miller is an advocate for her students and has been awarded the Western Illinois University Quad Cities Award of Excellence for Commitment to Core Values. The Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education awarded her the Agriculture Education Advocacy Award and Miller was recognized by the Cambridge FFA Chapter with both an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree and an Outstanding Alumni Award. Recently she was also recognized by the College Board Counselor Recognition Program for going the extra mile to support students and their families down the road to college and career success.
Miller is one of five finalists for the 2022 national title. The national winner will be announced at the virtual ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The virtual event will take place on November 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The Virtual Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox 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.