Two Deer Valley Unified School District employees were honored by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) New and Related Services Division.
Debbie Moore, teacher at Mountain Ridge High School, 22800 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, was named the 2020 National Academy Teacher of the Year. Honored in the same online ceremony was Jayme Fitzpatrick, CTE administrator in DVUSD as the 2020 National Administrator of the Year for the New and Related Services Division of ACTE.
Ms. Moore’s award recognizes the finest career and technical education teachers at the secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities within the New and Related Services Division of ACTE.
She has worked with her school and district administration to create a signature program in the district as part of the marketing offerings at the school. The Academy of Entrepreneurship is a part of the National Academy Foundation. Ms. Moore has been recognized by the Allen Distinguish Educators for entrepreneurship. Her students have opened 13 businesses while still in high school.
Ms. Fitzpatrick has spearheaded the growth of new CTE programs within the Deer Valey Unified School District, and has actively sought to increase and improve course offerings for students.
She has added coding and 3D amination, and has increased the dual enrollment offerings for all courses. Ms. Fitzpatrick has continued to improve the Project Lead the Way with BioMedical and Engineering programs, and has added the Academy of Entrepreneurship at Mountain Ridge and the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at Deer Valley with the National Academy Foundation.
She worked with the district to create a fine dining culinary restaurant experience at Barry Goldwater High School, 2820 W. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix. The restaurant is open to the public and is an authentic learning opportunity for youth. There has been a district-wide growth in internships, and there is great growth within the CTE programs around the district.
There have been higher participation rates and awards for the students due to their participation in the CTE and Academy Programs.
The Association for Career and Technical Education is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers.