ACTE Announces Texas Executive Director of College, Career & Counseling as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Texas Executive Director of College, Career & Counseling as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Kady Donaghey, Executive Director of College, Career & Counseling at Weatherford ISD in Weatherford, Texas, as the 2023 ACTE Region IV Administrator of the Year. 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.
As a product of a Career & Technical Education program herself, Kady Donaghey, only wanted to be an Agricultural Science Teacher and impact students the way her Agricultural Science teacher did. After graduating from high school, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Services and Development from Tarleton State University. Upon obtaining her Bachelors of Science degree, she enrolled in Tarleton’s Agricultural Education Master’s Program where she was a graduate assistant and taught a Freshman Level course to prepare students for the Agricultural department at TSU. During this process she won the North American College and Teacher of Agriculture (NACTA) Graduate Student Teaching Award. After graduating with her Master of Science Degree, she taught Agricultural Sciences for seven years in Crowley ISD, helping support 5 state champion teams and national competitors in various FFA competitions. Her last year in the classroom she was named the Campus and District Secondary Teacher of the Year. She then became a Dean of Students for one year and then Principal of the Bill R. Johnson Career & Tech Center in Crowley ISD for three years. She then moved closer to home as the CTE Director in Weatherford ISD where she served in this capacity for four years, two years as the Executive Director of College, Career and Counseling, and currently as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. She continues to lead the CTE programming in Weatherford ISD. She completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2018 from Lamar University. Kady is a proud wife and mother of three. She also is an entrepreneur herself, as the owner of Little Rattlers Preschool and Childcare for the past eight years in her hometown of Tolar, TX.
Donaghey 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.