ACTE Announces Oklahoma Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Instructor as National Award Finalist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2019

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

ACTE Announces Oklahoma Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Instructor as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Michael Lindley, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science Instructor and STEM Leader at Wes Watkins Technology Center in Wetumka, Oklahoma, as the 2019 ACTE Region IV 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.

Lindley has served as STEM educator for 13 years. During the 2017 PLTW Summit, Lindley was named the National PLTW Biomedical Science Teacher of the Year. The following year, Lindley was awarded as the Oklahoma ACTE (OkACTE) Teacher of the Year and the ACTE Region IV Teacher of the Year.

Lindley has been an active member of the OkACTE STEM Division since its founding, as well as a member of ACTE for more than 10 years. As a member of ACTE, Lindley has presented at the PLTW State Conference and OkACTE Divisional Conference. Lindley has attended ACTE Leadership training seminars, which positively impacted Lindley and empowered him as a CTE instructor.  Lindley served as an OkACTE STEM Reporter during two consecutive terms. During Lindley’s service on the OkACTE STEM board, he was tasked with creating and overseeing the OkACTE STEM website and social media pages. In addition to making strides to improve public awareness of STEM and CTE through articles and social media posts, Lindley also assisted in the establishment the OkACTE STEM Division logo, logo trademark, and usage policy.

Lindley is active in local community events, chamber of commerce and serves on the local volunteer fire department as Assistant Chief in his home town of Calvin, Oklahoma. Serving the community is a priority for Lindley. Lindley and his wife and their two children make their home in this rural area of central Oklahoma. In addition to being personally invested in the success of the local community, Lindley’s family has deep roots in Hughes County. It is this connection to the community that Lindley relies on to build relationships with students and stakeholders, in an effort to connect CTE and his rural area of Oklahoma.

Lindley 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.