New ASDs
In March two associate state directors (ASDs) were named to take the positions left vacant by Dr. Phil Berkenbile, recently named state director, and Bruce DeMuth, recently named Chief of Staff.

Replacing DeMuth is Brady McCullough, ASD for Technology Centers and Business and Industry Services. Greg Dewald will fill Berkenbile’s previous position as ASD for Educational Services.

Health Occupations Program Changes Name
The Health Occupations Education program announces a recent name change both in Oklahoma and on the national level. In Oklahoma the name has changed to Health Careers Education.

Nationally the program will be called Health Science Technology Education. The name differences reflect the types of programs most offered in each venue, according to state program administrator Lara Skaggs. Nationally, most CareerTech health programs are high school programs. In Oklahoma the majority of students are adults in programs at technology centers.

AAUW Educational Development Award
Jane Bowen, Northwest Technology Center Fairview Campus assistant superintendent, was recently awarded the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Development Award for her contributions in the field of education. She received the award at the Second Annual Women of Distinction Recognition Ceremony of the Alva Branch of the AAUW.

Journal Record Innovator of the Year
Mid-Del Technology Center and Pioneer Technology Center are two of 30 recipients for this year’s Journal Record’s Innovator of the Year Award, now in its seventh year. The awards banquet was held March 18 at the Reed Center in Midwest City.

• Mid-Del Technology Center earned the award for developing specialized curriculum and delivering training to area firefighters regarding emergency responder considerations when electric vehicles are involved. Mid-Del’s Electric Vehicle Center of Technology is believed to be the only facility of its kind in the nation.
• Pioneer Technology Center earned the award for the state’s first retail business incubator program called Pioneer Place @222. The program is housed in the former Whites’ Outlet Mall at Blackwell, 90 miles north of Oklahoma City at exit 222 on Interstate 35.

This award celebrates the true spirit of ingenuity in Oklahoma according to Mary Melon, publisher. “We recognize and celebrate the innovations of all types of industry from across the state. It’s not the size of the business that matters. It is truly the creativity and perseverance it takes to bring an innovative idea to fruition, making Oklahoma a better place to live.”
Courtesy of The Journal Record

OkACTE Region IV Winners 2004
DiAnna Waldschmidt from the OkACTE Health Occupations Education
Division at Northwest Technology Center. DiAnna has been awarded the Region IV Outstanding Educator of the Year during the Region IV conference in San Antonio, TX.

Division winners
  Teacher of the Year:

• Judith Kirtley - Business Education Division Winner, Northwest Tech
• Traci Schwerdtfeger - Special Needs Division Winner NW Tech
• Glenace Habbershaw - Trade and Industrial Education Division Winner NW Tech

  New Teacher's of the Year:

• Jona Squires - Agricultural Education Division Winner, Norman High School
• Gary Morris - Adult Workforce Development Division Winner, ODCTE
• Gina Hubbard - Business Education Division Winner, Autry Tech
• Catherine Wardlow - Health Occupations Division Winner, Francis Tuttle
• Kahle Goff - Special Needs Division Winner, Gordon Cooper Technology Center

Cover Photo
MNTC's BIS catalog cover was featured on the cover of LERN's publication for March/April called Course Trends. This newsletter on programming and marketing classes has more than 8,000 readers in six countries.

2004 CT Week Logo Winner
A design of Lena Perez, student at Canadian Valley, El Reno, was selected as the winner of the 2004 CareerTech Education Week logo from among dozens of entries across the country. After working in a shipping office for 11 years, Perez went back to school to make herself more employable. She recently received her certification as a Web designer and is now working on her certification in 2D/3D animation.

“I entered the contest for reassurance to see if I was in the right field, or at least headed in the right direction. I can’t tell you how much encouragement winning has given me,” said Perez.

Watch for entry details about the 2005 CTE Week design competition. For more information now, contact Megan Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@acteonline.org.