Western Maricopa Education Center, a career and technical education public school district focused on preparing students for tomorrow’s careers, recently won nine awards from the Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona for West-MEC’s central programs, satellite programs and partners.

The city of Surprise Economic Development Office, a West-MEC partner and advocate, won the Policymaker of the Year award.

West-MEC’s central programs had three awardees including CTE-Post-Secondary Educator of the Year, won by Jennifer Kline of the EMT program. The West-MEC Welding program was awarded the CTE Program of the Year, taught by Eric Phye (Southwest Campus) and Delphina Yazz (Central Campus).

Finally, West-MEC’s Southwest Campus Administrator, Aaron Parsons, was recognized as the CTE Administrator of the Year.

West-MEC’s satellite programs won a combined five awards: Melissa Veo (Buckeye) won CTE teacher of the year, Jennifer Grumbling (Agua Fria) won career guidance professional of the year, Joseph Troxel (Paradise Valley) won new CTE teacher of the year, Kirsten Coury (Peoria) won CTE junior high teacher of the year and Jeff Samaniego (Deer Valley) won the ACTEAZ community service award.

West-MEC’s Professional Development Specialist Patrick Clawson was elected as the ACTEAZ vice president. He will serve a two-year term.

ACTEAZ is dedicated to professional development and advocacy for the advancement of CTE and works with the national Association for Career Technical Education organization to become a stronger voice in legislation and policy-making.