Awards
Julie Brookbank, Mitchell Tech
2014 Image Award
This award seeks to recognize individuals who have brought positive attention to the career and technical education field, thereby enhancing the image of career and technical education and career and technical educators. Recipients of the award must be widely recognized persons who have demonstrated by their actions and/or statements that they are supporters of career and technical education. This year’s recipient is Julie Brookbank. Julie has been the Director of Marketing at Mitchell Tech for the past 19 years. Over the years her dedication to career and technical education has not gone unnoticed through the countless hours spent on public relations, copywriting, research, promotions, and public speaking. Marketing people are the ‘behind the scenes’ people that no one really thinks about until something bad happens. Julie, we applaud your dedication to the field of marketing and to Mitchell Technical Institute. Congratulations! 
Janet Nicolaus, Mitchell Tech2014 Lifetime Achievement Award
The purpose of this award is to identify those individuals who have worked with SDACTE and ACTE. The award is presented to individuals who have significant impact on the field of career and technical education at national, regional, and state levels. This year’s recipient is Janet Nicolaus. Janet has taught at Mitchell Tech for the past 12 years and has 28 years of Career and Technical Education teaching experience. Last year Janet received the Excellence in Instruction Award from Mitchell Tech for her outstanding instructional techniques, program growth and student relationships in Office Technology. Janet has strong ties with the industry and volunteers whenever she is able. She is truly a role model for her dedication to Career and Technical Education. Congratulations! Brenda Merkel
2015 SD Friend of CTE Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of persons, businesses or organizations who have worked with Career and Technical Education. The “Friend of Career and Technical Education” is a way that the South Dakota Association provides recognition for the commitment and dedication that these individuals, businesses, or organizations may have demonstrated to the organization. This year’s recipient is Brenda Merkel. Brenda graduated from Dakota State University with a degree in respiratory therapy. She continued her education and obtained a business education teaching position at Leola High School along with counseling responsibilities. She taught business classes at Leola High School while serving as the FBLA advisor for Leola. She also became the South Dakota FBLA state advisor and continues to serve as the state advisor. She is currently working on her master’s degree in banking and finance through NSU and wants to continue working on a doctorate. She currently is working for the Northeast South Dakota Area Health Education Center (NESDAHEC). On behalf of the Business, Marketing and Information Technology Division of SDACTE, I present the SD Friend of CTE award to Brenda Merkel. Congratulations! |
Knecht Home Center
2014 SD Friend of CTE
The purpose of this award is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of persons, businesses or organizations who have worked with Career and Technical Education. The “Friend of Career and Technical Education” is a way that the South Dakota Association provides recognition for the commitment and dedication that these individuals, businesses, or organizations may have demonstrated to the organization. This year’s recipient is Knecht Home Center of Rapid City. Knecht Home Center has had an ongoing relationship with the Lead/Deadwood School District for many years. Knecht has supported the Industrial Arts program by providing carpentry pencils and nail pouches. During career development, Knecht Home Center collaborated with the industry to give students tours and insight into the field of construction. Thank you Knecht Home Center for your support! LuAnn Schroeder, Spearfish
2014Teacher of the Year
The purpose of the Teacher of the Year award is to recognize teachers who are providing outstanding career and technical education programs for youth and/or adults in their respective fields and communities. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education. This year’s recipient is LuAnn Schroeder. LuAnn has taught accounting, career planning and mentorship courses for Spearfish School District for 25 years. Her students don’t leave an accounting course without knowing the importance of debits, credits, and net income! LuAnn spends countless hours preparing our youth for their future by helping them prepare their resumes and portfolios. She continues on to help students through the interview process as well as assisting them in obtaining internships in their field of study. LuAnn has helped shape our youth for the world of work! Congratulations! Lynette Heitz
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
The purpose of this award is to identify those individuals who have worked with SDACTE and ACTE. The award is presented to individuals who have significant impact on the field of career and technical education at national, regional, and state levels. This year’s recipient is Lynette Heitz. Lynette started her career at Polo High School is the fall of 1976. She taught Business Education and conducted the school play. She then joined her husband at Conde High School and taught Business Education classes from 1977 - 1981. She left education for 91/2 years to become the Executive Secretary for Ipswich State Bank in Ipswich, SD. She then returned to the classroom in the spring of 1990 where she continues to teach today. Lynette received her BS in Ed. from NSU in Aberdeen with a Library Science minor. Later in her career she returned to College and worked on her Advanced degree in Educational Technology. She received her MS in Ed from DSU in Madison, SD in the spring of 2004. Lynette has been very active statewide in FBLA, Mountain Plains Business Education and YBA. She has had several students advance to the National finals in FBLA and has had many students involved in the Youth Business Adventure held each summer. She has been recognized nationally in Who's Who among high school teachers in which she was nominated by former students. In addition Lynette has been the junior class advisor, prom advisor, and yearbook advisor for many years. She continues to be a member of SDACTE and the National Business Education Association. She has presented workshops for fellow teachers at local and state conferences. She was named the SDACTE Teacher of the year in in 2009 and Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2008. Her husband stated “I don't know how she could do it all!!” On behalf of the Business, Marketing and Information Technology Division of SDACTE, I present the Lifetime Achievement award to Lynette Heitz. Congratulations! |
