ACTE Announces Washington Director as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
ACTE Announces Washington Director as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Shani Watkins, director of West Sound Technical Skills Center at Bremerton School District in Bremerton, Washington, as the 2021 ACTE Region V Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes administrative career and technical education (CTE) professionals at the school, district, county, state, or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective CTE programs.
Shani Watkins serves as the director of West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton. Watkins found her passion working in career and technical education (CTE) after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Her journey as a reformed accountant, took her back to school earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Education, Master’s in Education with a focus on business and marketing education, Master’s in Organizational Systems, and an MBA. For more than twenty years, Watkins has served in career and technical education as a teacher, instructional facilitator, assistant CTE director, principal, and director. Throughout her career, Watkins has been actively involved in various CTE associations. She served as the secretary, president-elect, president, and past president of the Washington Association for Career and Technical Administrators, the president-elect, president, and past president of the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education, a member of the ACTE Region V policy committee, and was just nominated as the ACTE Region V vice president beginning July 1, 2021.
Watkins is one of five finalists for the 2022 national title. The national winner will be announced at the virtual ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place virtually on November 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The Virtual Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.