CTE administrator to retire
Dwight Johnson, administrator of the Idaho Division of Career-Technical Education, announced Thursday that he will retire once his successor is named.
Johnson has headed up the state’s CTE division since 2014, State Board of Education officials said in a news release. Previously, Johnson served as an administrator with the Idaho Department of Labor, and he served as interim executive director of the State Board of Education from 2006-2009.
State Board officials announced they will conduct a nationwide search to identify a new CTE administrator.
Johnson headed up the career-technical program during a time when CTE programs expanded and enjoyed more support from the Legislature and other policymaking groups. This summer, a subcommittee of Gov. Brad Little’s K-12 education task force is considering recommending additional expansion of CTE course offerings, particularly in rural Idaho.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my five years at ICTE and I think we’ve raised the division’s visibility and created a talent pipeline for businesses to grow and expand in our state,” Johnson said in a written statement. “I feel like we’ve made a difference and that is very gratifying for me personally.”
State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield said Johnson was a big reason why career-technical programs were elevated across Idaho.
“He worked tirelessly to raise the profile of CTE and helped set the stage for further growth in career technical educational opportunities, which are so vital for Idaho’s economic future and I wish him the very best,” she said in a written statement.
Strickland named to Board of Library Commissioners
Michael Strickland has been named to the five-member Board of Library Commissioners, the policy making body for the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL).
Strickland joins Dave Mecham, Janet Franklin, John Held and Pat Raffee on the board.
Strickland was a high school English teacher at INSPIRE Connections Academy until last spring. He has taught at Boise State University since 2008.
“I have a profound passion for emerging technologies, as well as an appreciation of the role libraries play in youth and teen development,” Strickland said.
Board of Library Commissioners chair Mecham said, “It has been a couple of years since our board has welcomed a new member, and we are looking forward to Michael’s perspectives and experiences as we all continue to serve the Commission and Idaho’s libraries in the best ways that we can.”
Cassia names Teacher of the Year
BURLEY — The Cassia School District selected Kasey Heward as its Teacher of the Year.
Heward started teaching at West Minico High in 2005 and has been at Declo High since 2006. She graduated from Idaho State University and Burley High.
In her speech to district faculty and staff, Heward urged educators to put their “mark on every student we teach. What we do matters.”
Heward has taught English and Language Arts the past 14 years.
“Remember the differences we are making with kids. Remember the real influence. Make connections, even if they are the briefest ones,” she said.
Declo administrator Roland Bott nominated Heward because she represents everything that is right in education. “She expects greatness from every student and works to see that they reach it. “
Boise teen honored for The Orangutan Gang
What is the Orangutan Gang? It’s not a band. It’s not a t.v. show. It’s a nonprofit run by a 14-year-old Boise girl.
Pangaea Finn started the Orangutan Gang in 2013, according to the Orangutan Gang’s website, to raise awareness of the toll that harvesting palm oil takes on the environment and orangutan habitat. She urges supporters to limit their consumption of palm oil and raises money to help rehabilitate orangutans in Borneo.
For her efforts, the North American Association for Environmental Education named Finn one of their 3o under 30, a group of “exemplary young professionals who are harnessing the power of education to create a more sustainable future.”
“Recognition from the NAAEE is not only a great honor – it will also allow me to continue my conservation work,” Finn was quoted as saying in a news release.
At only 14, Finn is starting classes at Boise State this fall, aiming for a double major in physics and mathematics, according to her bio on the North American Association for Environmental Education website.
