ACTE Announces Michigan Automotive Technology Instructor as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Michigan Automotive Technology Instructor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Scott Westenberg, Automotive Technology Instructor at Ingham ISD in Mason, Michigan, as the 2022 ACTE Region I Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Scott Westenberg is in his thirty-third year as an educator, serving as the Automotive Technology instructor for Ingham Intermediate School District’s Wilson Talent Center for the past 31 years. Scott’s passion for his students and their experience in his career and technical education program is evident every day, even after 30+ years. When Scott took over the program in the early 1990’s, it became one of the first ten schools in the country to provide students the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification awarded by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation.
Westenberg obtained an Associate degree in Automotive Technology as well as a Bachelor and Masters’ degree in Technical Education from Ferris State University. He has also maintained his own ASE certification since 1992. In addition, Scott continues to remain current with automotive trends and technology by attending the University of Northern Ohio and ASE instructor conferences each summer for over twenty years. He was selected as one of ten instructors nationwide to participate in General Motor’s YES program, a partnership and work-study program that allowed automotive technology students to excel in automotive positions. That initiative is now the AYES apprenticeship run by the ASE Education Foundation and Scott has served as an advisor for dozens of students during the summer.
In addition, Westenberg served on the committee through Ferris State University to re-write questions for the State of Michigan automotive mechanics certification tests, and CDX Learning Systems to evaluate and provide input on automotive technology textbooks and resources. Because of his dedication to improving the learning experience for students, he was awarded the Outstanding Instructor Award from the ASE Education Foundation.
In his current role, he has created a Motorsports Team for automotive technology students to get to race against other schools from around the state. Over the past 25 years, they have built and raced 5 cars (currently working on their 6th). This undertaking took more than four years of research and approval to happen, but he knew it would provide a valuable added bonus for his students, so he never waivered in his mission. Finally, as Scott looks to complete his career with the 2023-24 school year, he is chairing a 50th anniversary car show in June, bringing back former students from all over the country to celebrate the relationships built with his students, dealerships and community partners throughout the years.
Westenberg is one of five finalists for the 2024 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 November 29, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, 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.