Tag Archives: Career and Tech Ed Teachers

CTE educator Julio Mejia garners FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence

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Career and technology education (CTE) teacher Julio Mejia of New York has garnered a 2025 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence. Photo credit: FLAG Award

There are many public school teachers throughout our nation who are deserving of special recognition. One of them is Julio Mejia, a Business and Technology educator from Staten Island, New York. He is one of six teachers in New York City who has garnered a 2025 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.

Julio has taught career and technology education (CTE) electives at New Dorm high School, where he is an alumnus, for the past eight years. There he leads the school’s specialized Small Learning Community (SLC) for business and technology. To expand his students’ exposure to professional fields, Julio plans field trips and events, including Career Days. This year, he also took on the responsibilities of the school’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Additionally, he coaches the school’s boys volleyball team. And as if all that were not enough, he teaches a college-level business course under the auspices of the University of Delaware.

In his classroom, Julio has worked to improve curriculum so that it better serves his students’ needs and to better prepare them for real world demands. When he noticed that his freshmen already possessed a working knowledge of some of the programs taught in the computer applications course, he shifted his focus to more advanced software. Also, when he perceived a gap in students’ creative thinking, he collaborated on the development of a new marketing elective.

“As an educator, you always second guess yourself on whether or not what you’re doing is making a difference,” confesses Julio. “Having other people tell you that you’re doing a great job — and compared to other teachers throughout New York City — is definitely something that’s super exciting. I’m really grateful for this opportunity to be given what I’ve been given,” he continues.

In addition to his FLAG honors, Julio will receive a check for $25,000 which he can use any way he wishes, and his school will receive an additional $10,000 grant to fund an arts-based initiative designed by the winner.

Julio earned his Bachelor’s degree from City University of New York, College of Staten Island, in 2015.

 

Florida agriculture teacher Jennie Goffe earns top state honors

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Jennie Coffe, a high school agriculture educator in Florida, has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Florida Teacher Lead Network

It is always exciting when an outstanding educator earns honors for their work with young people. Jennie Goffe, a high school teacher in Florida, is one of these educators. She has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Jennie teaches agriculture at Clewiston High School in Hendry County. She has worked at the school for the past ten years. Through her agriculture program, her students manage a farm of 480 acres, take care of over 60 animals, maintain a greenhouse, grow sugar cane, harvest crops, and care for pastures. Through this program, Jennie supports the school’s Career and Technical Education. This program provides students with skills that prepare them for the work force. In fact, her students earn an average of 150 workforce certificates annually. “My favorite thing about being a teacher is just the relationships I get to build with students and the experiences I get to offer them,” declares Jennie.

After Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, Florida, in 2022, Jennie inaugurated a cooperative effort for Clewiston High School students to work with community members to assist those in need. The effort included cleaning up the hardest-hit areas.

Jennie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and Communications from the University of Florida.

The Florida Teacher of the Year Program celebrates teachers who are dedicated to the profession. Each year, Florida’s school districts have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate 74 teachers as District Teachers of the Year. These exemplary educators are selected for many reasons, including extraordinary student gains, community involvement, teacher leadership, and instructional practices. Five District Teachers of the Year are named Teacher of the Year Finalists and, from those, one statewide winner is selected as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.