ACTE Announces New Jersey Adjunct Professor as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
ACTE Announces New Jersey Adjunct Professor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Nick Beykirch, Adjunct Professor – Department of Integrative STEM Education, The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey, as the 2021 ACTE Region I Teacher Educator of the Year. This award recognizes teacher educators who have demonstrated innovation in teacher education, leadership in improving career and technical education (CTE), and commitment to preparing teachers to deliver high-quality CTE programs.
Nick Beykirch is an expert Technology & Engineering Educator known across the state of New Jersey. Beykirch is a graduate of The College of New Jersey and served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Integrative STEM Education since 2006. In that time, Beykirch has taught numerous courses across the Technology & Engineering Education discipline including woodworking, manufacturing, and structures & mechanics. Beykirch also taught professional courses to help future educators prepare to understand best practices to help his students achieve technological and engineering literacy. He has hosted nineteen student teachers since he began his teaching career. In 2006, Beykirch identified a need to help future teachers understand how to design classrooms and lab spaces to allow for safe tool use, storage, and material handling. Beykirch has been teaching the Facilities Design course since then. It continues to be one of the most popular courses for future teachers at TCNJ. Beykirch is a former officer of the Technology & Engineering Educators Association and has received the Teacher of the Year award at two different schools. He has been recognized buy the New Jersey Technology and Engineering Education Association as an Innovative Technology Educator. He was also the recipient of the College Teacher Impact Award.
Beykirch 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 event will take place virtually on November 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET. 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.