ACTE Announces Virginia Family and Consumer Science Teacher as National Award Finalist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2019

Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312

ACTE Announces Virginia Family and Consumer Science Teacher as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Barbara Comer, Family and Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA Adviser at Page County Public Schools/Page County High School in Shenandoah, Virginia, as the recipient of the 2019 ACTE Region II Carl Perkins Community Service Award. This award recognizes individuals who have used career and technical education (CTE) to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service.

For 32 years, Comer has been the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Teacher at Page County High School in Shenandoah, Virginia. Being a FCS teacher is not just a career, but for Comer it is a passion. Comer works to instill in students the importance of family and a love of learning, so that they may one day effectively balance their roles at work and at home.

Comer currently teaches several classes in the Hospitality and Education and Training Career Pathways. Her students have achieved 100% pass rates on three Career and Technical credential tests. Last spring Comer and her students were chosen as part of a fifteen-member team to participate in a Hospitality Industry Immersion experience in Chicago, attending the National Restaurant Association show and behind the scenes shadowing of staff at a major hotel. She has served on four Virginia state curriculum writing Committees and was a participant in a VA Department of Education focus group to develop recommendations for submission to the Governor for the CTE endorsement on high school diplomas. Comer is honored to be selected to serve as a member of the new Perkins V Core Stakeholders Team for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in the Virginia Department of Education.

Comer is a firm believer that students enrolled in CTE classes should take part in their respective CTSOs. Her students have been part of an active FCCLA chapter during her entire career. These students have continued to be successful in state and national competitions and the chapter has been honored with more than 15 FCCLA National Program Awards. In July, Comer’s chapter was awarded the National High School Community Service Award for their “Uncovering Heroes” project. They were also awarded the Points of Light Foundation Disney Family Service Project award. At the FCCLA National Leadership Conference, Comer was elected to serve as the Local Chapter Adviser Representative to the National Board of Directors. Comer has been the adviser to more than 30 FCCLA State Officers and 5 National Officers, including last year’s National President.

Comer is one of five finalists for the 2020 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on Wednesday evening, December 4, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2019 in Anaheim, CA. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, CareerSafe, 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.