ACTE Announces Texas Career and Technical Education Coordinator as 2019 National Award Winner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2019
Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312
ACTE Announces Texas Career and Technical Education Coordinator as 2019 National Award Winner
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Candace McGowan, Coordinator of career and technical education at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD) as the 2020 National ACTE Career Guidance A
ward winner. This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for CTE as a viable option for all students.
Since 2013, McGowan has focused on providing targeted CTE opportunities for middle and high school students in GCISD. During her tenure, McGowan opened the GCISD Go Centers at both high schools, which are dedicated to helping students prepare for and obtain the postsecondary education and training that is appropriate for them and their future careers. The Go Centers assist students with career and aptitude tests; ACT, SAT and ASVAB testing information; FAFSA assistance; financial aid resources; and college admission literature and applications.
In an effort to bring more awareness to the CTE program, McGowan has also curated tailored social media campaigns for Decision Week, as well as CTE month. These campaigns ran on the GCISD twitter account and featured photos, statistics and videos. Prior to becoming the coordinator of CTE, McGowan was a family and consumer sciences and hospitality teacher at Grapevine High School.
McGowan was one of five finalists for the 2020 national title. The national winner was announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the
country. The event took place on Wednesday evening, December 4, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, eDynamic Learning 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.