Jayme Fitzpatrick, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director for Deer Valley Unified School District, received the Janet Linton Leadership Award.

The Janet Linton Leadership Award recognizes outstanding academy directors and educational leaders (including district administrators, teachers and principals). Created in 2006, in memory of the late San Diego Academy Director Janet Linton, the award honors extraordinary contributions and leadership within the National Academy Foundation (NAF) Network, at the school, district and state levels.

Fitzpatrick has been instrumental in the growth of new CTE programs within Deer Valley 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. 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 and 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 Academy of Entrepreneurship at Mountain Ridge is a part of the National Academy Foundation. The students have opened 13 businesses while still in high school.