ACTE Announces Minnesota Agricultural Teacher as National Award Finalist

/in /by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2018

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

ACTE Announces Minnesota Agricultural Teacher as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Katie Crowley, Agricultural Education Teacher at the Academy for Science and Agriculture in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, as the 2018 ACTE Region III 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.

In her fifth year as an agricultural education teacher at the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture (AFSA) in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, Crowley teaches sequential courses in agriculture for students in grades seven through twelve. Utilizing the national agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) standards and consulting the Minnesota reading and science standards, Crowley has developed engaging curriculum that encompasses a wide variety of learning activities.

Every student enrolled in Crowley’s classes are required to complete a supervised agriculture experience (SAE), which counts for 20 percent of their final grade. To measure success and performance, she has developed scoring rubrics and project descriptions to guide and enhance student achievement, where students’ experiences range from apiary to woodworking.

Crowley and her agricultural science colleagues mentor AFSA students—navigating them through the scientific and presentation process to support and promote learning—as they are required to complete an agriscience fair project every year.

Crowley is one of 5 finalists for the 2019 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Banquet, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on Wednesday evening, November 28, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2018 in San Antonio, TX. The Awards Banquet is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, the US Army, CareerSafe, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

###

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.