 |
| James Scott |
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) named James Scott of Tolles Career & Technical Center in Plain City as its national teacher of the year.
Scott was one of five finalists competing for the title, which recognizes a teacher who provides outstanding career and technical education programs for youth and/or adults in his or her respective field and community. He received the award at ACTE’s annual convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 5.
Scott teaches turf, landscape and greenhouse management at Tolles. He manages a 20-acre land laboratory on site and serves as a co-advisor for the FFA chapter and as a mentor. Scott has developed an advisory committee of 21 parents, students, and representatives from businesses and colleges who assist in making decisions about expanding facilities and/or purchasing equipment. In 2006, Scott created Ohio’s Sequenced Horticulture Curriculum Model.
Since Scott joined Tolles in 2004, the program has increased enrollment from nine students with no career placement or college-bound students to 23 students who are 100 percent successfully employed, enrolled in a post-secondary program or serving in the military. He has added more than $190,000 in new equipment and $60,000 in donations from the green industry.
Scott’s students volunteer in the community and at school with projects like “Breakfast with the Superintendent,” when the students share program goals for the school year and their career goals at least once a year. The students have created a state-of-the-art greenhouse where they grow flowers and plants, which has resulted in nearly $12,000 in sales.
Scott is a member of ACTE, National Association of Agricultural Educators, Ohio and National FFA Alumni Association, National Education Association, and Ohio Education Association.
For more information on this award, go to www.acteonline.org.
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit education association dedicated to the advancement of education that pre-pares youth and adults for successful ca-reers. It provides advocacy, public aware-ness and access to information, profession-al development and tools that enable members to be effective leaders. Founded in 1926, ACTE has more than 29,000 members including teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and post-secondary levels.
