ACTE Announces Minnesota Career and College Coordinator as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2022
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Minnesota Career and College Coordinator as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Molly Bonnett, Career and College Coordinator at Forest Lake Area Schools in Forest Lake, Minnesota, as the 2022 ACTE Region III Counseling and Career Development Professional. 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.
Molly Bonnett has been the Career & College Coordinator at Forest Lake Area High School for 5 years. During this short time, she has changed the view of Career & Technical Education both within the high school and throughout our community. While Molly was not a CTE teacher herself, it is clear that she values what these educational opportunities provide students. Molly has attended a number of workshops and meetings, such as CTE Works to learn more about programming. While Molly has implemented a number of new and innovative programs at FLAHS, she has also been a leader for CTE. She served on our district’s strategic plan committee where one of the five strategic focus areas adopted by the school board was to establish “Excellence in Career, College and Future Preparedness” with a sub goal related to CTE. Molly frequently attends Perkins consortium meetings, and leads a group of area “career and college counselors” who meet monthly. Molly established the Forest Lake Area Schools Business Summit where, each summer, we have successfully brought together more the 75 representatives from area businesses and government to learn about how the school district can better engage and create opportunities for students. Molly has also been essential in establishing our Career Launch Advisory Board, assisted in the development our school-wide “Employability Skills” grading rubric, and attends pathway specific advisory board meetings. She also served on the middle school’s “re-design” committee which created “gateway courses,” that all 7th and 8th grade students are required to take, that introduces them to all of our career pathway/CTE areas of study. Finally, in addition to these strategic and “big picture” activities, Molly meets with students one on one to discuss their plans and goals, and helps them map their next steps. She shows interest in each student, and goes above and beyond expectations to guide them through their individual process. Molly brings her enthusiasm, skills, and passion for helping students and advocating for careers in all that she does.
Bonnett is one of five finalists for the 2023 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 30, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The 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.