On Friday, we announced the 11 2018 Excellence in Action award recipients that represent some of the best Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in the country.  The awardees were chosen by a selection committee based on their proven ability to exemplify excellence in the implementation of the Career Clusters®, show a true progression from secondary to postsecondary education, provide meaningful work-based learning opportunities, and have a substantial and evidence-based impact on student achievement and success.
Award Winners included:

• A&M Consolidated High School, TX (Information Technology)
• Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center, SC (Transportation, Distribution & Logistics)
• Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, TX (Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources)
• Dauphin County Technical School, PA (Architecture & Construction)
• Granite Technical Institute/Granite School District, UT (Manufacturing)
• Indian Capital Technology Center, OK (Health Sciences)
• Nashua Technology Center at Nashua High School South, NH (Arts, A/V Technology & Communications)
• Saginaw Career Complex, MI (Hospitality & Tourism)
• Sunrise Mountain High School, AZ (Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security)
• Traverse Bay Area ISD Career Tech Center, MI (Education & Training)
• William J. Pete Knight High School, CA (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

“The programs of study that we are honoring today all share a steadfast commitment to the highest expectations for CTE,” said Kimberly Green, Executive Director of Advance CTE. “This dedication to quality and excellence leads to strong learner outcomes, creating opportunities for a lifetime of career and education success. Today’s honorees serve as national models of what high-quality CTE looks like and can achieve.”
Award recipients were honored at the 2018 Advance CTE Spring Meeting, where nearly 30 administrators, educators and students traveled across the country to be recognized in front of state and national leaders.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Sandra Clement, principal of Foy H. Moody High School, a recipient of a 2014 Excellence in Action award, created an inspiring energy in the room as she spoke about the successful CTE programming, and it’s positive impact on the learners at the school..
“I wanted to make sure the change I was making was not only at the school but to our community,” said Dr. Sandra Clement.
She continued, “CTE is not an elective, it is a pathway.” Dr. Sandra Clement also emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the instructors and administrators that contribute to these award-winning programs. “Our classrooms are powered by the hearts of our educators,” she exclaimed.
This was clearly event throughout the ceremony as instructors representing the winning programs shared the success of their programs and their passion for seeing students excel.
“Those who can do, but those who inspire teach!” said Bart Taylor, Information Technology teacher at A&M Consolidated High School.

 
Learn more about the 2018 Excellence in Action awards here.