Spotlight on Teacher of the Year award honorees

Career and technical education (CTE) teachers innovate to engage students in hands-on learning, developing technical and employability skills — attempting to have some fun along the way. And over the last year, as COVID-19 changed everything, our teachers persisted. For that we honor them.

Techniques shined a spotlight on Amanda English, ACTE’s 2021 national Teacher of the Year. Also featured are ACTE’s Region I Teacher of the Year Kristina Guttadora, Region III Teacher of the Year Kandy Smitha, and Region V Teacher of the Year Kitti Wheeler. Their interviews appear as part of a series on our 2021 national award winners and finalists. This award recognizes CTE teachers at the middle/secondary school level who demonstrate innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.

“CTE taught me the value of partnerships and never working alone,” wrote Amanda English. “I have learned so much from child care teachers, welding teachers, cosmetology teachers and many more. Every CTE teacher I meet through my membership and involvement with ACTE teaches me best practices that I bring back and apply. As a lifetime learner, the experiences and interactions with other CTE teachers and industry partners are vital.”

Without further ado, meet:


Learn more about ACTE’s awards program.