ACTE Announces Alabama Health Science Teacher as National Award Finalist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2018

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

ACTE Announces Alabama Health Science Teacher as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Cindy Quisenberry, Health Science Teacher & HOSA Advisor at the Enterprise City Schools/Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama, as the 2018 ACTE Region II Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical 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.

Cindy Quisenberry has worked tirelessly to establish a high-quality health science program at Enterprise High School (EHS). Her 23 years as a postsecondary nurse educator gave her the experience necessary to establish, equip and grow the EHS health science program from 80 students in 2012 to more than 500 students in each of the past three academic years. Quisenberry developed and teaches an engaging curriculum that encompasses HOSA – Future Health Professionals, technology, project-based learning, and work-based learning, while incorporating concepts from the high school core curriculum. She has also coordinated with business and industry partners in the local community to obtain more than 15 clinical contracts, thereby placing students in real-world jobs where they can obtain valuable healthcare experience and hands-on skills.

Since the EHS program’s inception, Quisenberry has developed a curriculum that offers credentialing to health science students. In 2014, she obtained approval from the Department of Public Health to teach certified nursing assistant (CNA) at EHS. Over the last four years, 100 percent of the students enrolled in the EHS CNA program have completed their training and passed their certification exam. In 2017-2018, three more student credentials were added to the program. Quisenberry has shared her curriculum with other health science teachers throughout Alabama and has assisted the Alabama Department of Education in mentoring new teachers.

Quisenberry established the Enterprise HOSA chapter in 2012, and each year thereafter her students have competed and placed at the HOSA State Leadership Conference. EHS health science students have qualified for the HOSA International Conference every year, and for four years students have placed in the top ten. This past summer in Dallas, her HOSA Bowl Team placed eighth at the HOSA International Conference. She also encourages and integrates student community involvement and leadership in the Wiregrass region.

Quisenberry 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.

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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.