ACTE Announces Washington Agriculture Education Instructor as 2023 National Award Winner

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2022
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
dfrascoia@acteonline.org

ACTE Announces Washington Agriculture Education Instructor as 2023 National Award Winner

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Sammi Jo Sims, Agriculture Education Instructor at Ellensburg School District 401 in Ellensburg, Washington as the 2023 National ACTE New Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes new CTE teachers who have made significant contributions toward innovative and unique career and technical education programs and shown a professional commitment early in their careers. The New Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox. 

Sammi Jo Sims is an Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at Ellensburg High School, located in Ellensburg, WA. She is in her sixth year of teaching and is very passionate about Career and Technical Education and the opportunities it provides to students. She was very involved in CTE at her high school and took classes through Ag Ed, Health, Business and Tech Ed. She served as a past Washington State FFA Officer before going on to earn her AAAS-Agricultural Sciences Degree from Walla Walla Community College, B.S., Agricultural Education from the University of Idaho, and M.S. Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. She enjoys being able to bring both her education and field experiences into the classroom to provide students with meaningful connections and experiences.  Sammi Jo lives in Ellensburg with her husband, three children and many farm critters.  

“Congratulations to the New Teacher of the Year award winners and finalists—what an amazing accomplishment to be honored so early in your teaching careers,” said Maureen Brennan, Director of Marketing for G-W Publisher. “G-W is thankful to have worked alongside so many outstanding educators like each of you since our founding in 1921. Your commitment to education and the dedication of industry partners such as ACTE help us in our mission to help students build careers.”  

Sims was one of five finalists for the 2023 national title. The national winner was announced at the Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event took place on November 30, at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2022. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.