Top Oklahoma CareerTech educators, professionals recognized at annual conference

• OkACTE Teacher of the Year – $10,000 awarded to Robert Johnson, pre-engineering instructor at Moore Norman Technology Center
• OkACTE Postsecondary Professional of the Year – $7,500 awarded to Kebi Allen, practical nursing instructor at Tri County Technology Center
• OkACTE New Teacher of the Year - $5,000 awarded to Eva Woolman, Teacher Prep Instructor at Northeast Technology Center
• OkACTE Support Staff Member of the Year - $5,000 awarded to Karen Nail, executive assistant at Southern Technology Center
• OkACTE Bob Funk Advocate of Excellence - Kent Burris, superintendent of Central Technology Center

“I have the best students in the world; they motivate me every day to come in with my hair on fire and having lots of energy to bring my best,” Robert Johnson, OkACTE Teacher of the Year said enthusiastically. “I owe my students for this award, and I can’t wait to show off my check and trophies and tell them all about it. The kids are what make me want to come to school and do all that I do. It’s all about my amazing students and staff at Moore Norman and my CareerTech family. They have all pushed and supported me. The last thing it’s about is me — it’s about everyone else.”

Scott Davis, executive vice president for Express Employment Professionals, presented the awards on Funk’s behalf along with state director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Brent Haken and OkACTE executive director Skye McNiel.

“The goals of Express and Oklahoma CareerTech are closely aligned, as we both strive to equip individuals with the skills needed for success in the workforce,” said Davis. “Express Professionals and the Funk family are passionate about supporting Oklahoma CareerTech and commend the essential work these educators and professionals do in preparing their students for rewarding careers.”

This is the 12th year Funk Sr. has donated cash awards to distinguished Oklahoma CareerTech teachers and professionals.

“Today’s award recipients have shown an unwavering commitment to advancing career and technical education in Oklahoma, often exceeding expectations," said McNiel. "We extend our gratitude to Bob Funk and Express Employment Professionals for their continued support of Oklahoma CareerTech and for helping us celebrate these dedicated leaders each year."

At the ceremony, both new CareerTech faculty and staff in their first year and those who have been with the system for multiple decades were recognized for their contributions. Superintendent of Central Technology Center Kent Burris received the prestigious OkACTE Bob Funk Advocate of Excellence award for his passion for and longtime commitment to CareerTech. Burris began his full-time employment at Central Tech in January 1990 as a business office intern and was promoted to business manager in 1995, overseeing facilities and transportation. With over 25 years of experience managing all financial aspects of Central Tech, Burris was chosen in January 2013 to lead the Business and Industry Services division, supervising programs such as truck driver training, adult career development, industry specific and ag business management. Burris was named superintendent of Central Tech in 2022.

Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell joined the celebration, presenting the PK-12 Excellence in CareerTech Education award to Edmond Public Schools.

"It was an honor to present the award for PK-12 Excellence in CareerTech Education award at this year's Oklahoma Summit," said Pinnell. "For more than 100 years, Oklahoma CareerTech has been developing our state’s world-class workforce, and our pre-k through 12th grade schools play a big role in that success. Congratulations to Edmond Public schools, and thank you to all the school systems around the state that are advancing our state's workforce and economy."

Also honored during the Wednesday evening conference banquet were Oklahoma Sen. Adam Pugh and Rep. Rhonda Baker, who each received a Distinguished Service award for their advocacy of CareerTech in the legislature. Their support of CareerTech helped secure a 25 percent increase in appropriations for the state agency - the largest appropriations increase in Oklahoma history. Oklahoma Rep. and Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert served as the keynote speaker for the conference banquet Wednesday night.

"Oklahoma CareerTech’s success is largely due to our passionate educators and support staff, who are the backbone of our system," said Haken. "Their dedication drives positive change in Oklahoma's economy by enhancing our workforce and offering life-changing opportunities to Oklahomans."

The multi-day conference, which was held at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, is a partnership between the state department and the association for Oklahoma CareerTech. The event provides professional development opportunities for CareerTech educators, administrators, school board members, support staff members and business partners.

About OkACTE
OkACTE is the professional association for Oklahoma CareerTech, with nearly 4,300 members consisting of administrators, teachers and staff. ODCTE provides leadership and resources to the CareerTech System of nearly 400 public school districts, 29 technology centers with 59 campus sites, 13 skills centers in correctional facilities and 32 Adult Basic Education providers with 52 sites. For more information about OkACTE, visit OkACTE.org.

About Oklahoma CareerTech

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 59 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 15 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 31 adult basic education service providers.

The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.