ACTE Announces Utah Agricultural Educator as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Utah Agricultural Educator as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced McKayla Gonder Plewe, Secondary Agricultural Educator at Cedar High School in Cedar City, Utah, as the 2023 ACTE Region V New Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) teachers 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.
McKayla Gonder Plewe was born and raised in rural Utah as a sixth-generation cattle rancher. McKayla had the opportunity to be a member of the Utah FFA Association to further her agricultural pursuits and was elected as the 2013-14 Utah FFA State Secretary. She went on to graduate from Utah State University with her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. McKayla has been an Agricultural Educator at Cedar High School for the past four years. During her time as an educator, she has furthered her education and completed her Masters of Education from Southern Utah University. McKayla is working as an adjunct professor in their Agricultural Education emphasis program and has for the past two years. Along with achieving career and academic goals, she married the love of her life and now has a beautiful daughter named Adeline. McKayla plans on pursuing a doctorate to further advocate for CTE and Agricultural Education at the secondary and post-secondary level.
Plewe 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.