WITEA Awards
Each year we honor our members for their excellence and dedication to the field of Technology Education/STEM Education. Awards are presented at our annual Spring Conference to recognize the following:
Award Descriptions
Teacher of the year
For members who have been teaching for five years or more, who exhibit high quality teaching in a given subject area or discipline, and who set an example for other teachers to follow.
Program of the year
For members who have been teaching for five years or more who exhibit high quality teaching over more than one subject area or discipline and who consistently set an example for other teachers. Other characteristics may include preparing students who perform at high level in TSA or SkillsUSA and/or give back to our professional community in some way.
Rookie Teacher of the year
For members who have two years of experience or less that exhibit high quality teaching, dedication to the profession, and/or do an outstanding job teaching and preparing students for their future.
Ken Pattie 25 Year Award
Given to any WITEA member who has 25 years of teaching technology education experience and who has has maintained WITEA membership.
Tom Staly Service Award
This award is given by and voted on by the WITEA executive board to a member who consistently has devoted their time to serve WITEA over an extended period of time and who has had a large impact/influence on our professional learning community. This person has gone above and beyond and we honor them for their service.
Past President’s Award
This award is given by the president to the past president to honor them for their leadership and service over their three-year term and commitment to the executive board.
Administrator of the Year
This award recognizes administrative 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 Career and Technical Education programs.
Post-secondary Professional of the Year
This award recognizes the finest career and technical teachers at the post-secondary level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students, and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Counseling & Career Development Professional Award
This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for CTE as a viable option for all students.
Teacher Educator of the Year
This award recognizes teacher educators who have demonstrated innovation in teacher education, leadership in improving CTE, and commitment to preparing teachers to deliver high quality CTE programs.
Community Service Award
This award recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of Washington ACTE, their innovations in CTE, and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time.
Award Nominations
The deadline for award nominations is February 16, 2027
Nominate someone for the WITEA Teacher, Program, or Rookie of the Year Awards:
Notify us for your or someone else's Ken Pattie 25 Years of Service Award:
Past Award Recipients
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2026: David Lake
2025: Neeraj Agnihotri
2024: Ed Ufford
2023: Emily Slack
2022: Sam Kell
2021: Kai Christianson
2020: Brian Morris
2019: Susan Mangin
2018: Matt Johnson
2017: John Stumpf
2016: Fred Hall
2015: Wayne Ward
2014: Ian Chow-Miller
2013: Lois Noble
2012: Christopher Shanholtzer
2011: Eric Neiland
2010: Tom Crook
2009: Mike Stewart
2008: James Sullivan
2007: Tom Ryan
2006: Skip Carlson
2004: Jerry Carlson
2003: Larry Roberts
2002: Doug Merrill
1998: Alan Gromus
1997: Wayne Kanneburg
1996: Bob Gehres
1995: Larry Turner
1993: Dan Obenchain
1992: Jim Hendricks
1991: Gene Wachtel
1990: Steve Jacobs
1990: Richard Thompson
1990: Fred Hall
1989: Tom Staly
1988: Dick Olson
1987: Mel Kolstad
1986: Richard Bloden
1985: Gene Fowler
1984: Harold Richards
1983: Gerald Julian
1982: Frank Olsheshki
1981: Bob Jasper
1980: Carl Boe
1979: Dave McConkey
1978: Norm Reisenauer
1977: Dan Gallacher
1976: Paul Johnson
1975: Jim Drake
1974: Jack Estep
1973: Dury Fox
1972: Jay Taylor
1971: Dale Hasselberg
1970: Jere Cary
1969: Wendell Allen
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2025: Mark Schneider & Drew Sampson, Frendale High School
2024: Nathan Benfield, Wahluke Junior High School
2023: Joseph Comine, Lewis & Clark High School
2022: Jake Fullington, Shelton High School
2021: Scott Le Duc, Capital High School
2020: Jack Seymour, Alderwood Middle School
2019: James Burke, Tyee Middle School
2018: Tristan Hanson, Stanwood High School
2017: Jim Wickens, Auburn High School
2016: Matt Merfeld, Goldendale High School
2015: Eric Neiland, North Kitsap High School
2014: Bob Brooks, White River High School
2013: Cory Torppa, Kelso High School
2012: Dave Weidkamp, Lynden High School
2011: Trent Mitchel, Shorecrest High School
2002: Jim Nelson, Blaine High School
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2025: Jordyn Romero
2024: Eric Heintzinger
2023: Amanda Schuler
2022: Alex Shriver
2021: Ryan Pearson
2020: Jaret Cash
2019: Philip Anderson
2018: Collin Nelson
2017: Marcus Sullivan
2016: Jared Greenwood
2015: Gabrial Stotz
2014: Myron Hamilton
2013: Scott Peterson
2012: Matt Simpson
2011: Geoff Anderson
2007: Lisa Lynch
2003: Ross Short
2002: Scott Lindley
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2026: Ross Short
2025: Elizabeth Varvaro
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2025: Tim Knue
2024: Scott Calahan
2023: Doug Merrill
2022: Doug Merrill
2021: George Aszklar
2020: John Hadley & Tim Winn
2019: Bill Rahr
2018: Jim Nelson
2017: Franciene Chrisman & Tess Alviso
2016: Ross Short
2015: Lew Keliher
2014: Dennis Milliken
2013: Kathleen Lopp
2012: Kevin Grayum
2011: Mike Criner
2009: Gene Wachtel
2008: James Sullivan
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2026: Grizzly Industrial
2025: Avid CNC
2024: Central Welding Supply
2023: Sumner Woodworker Store
2019: Klein Educational Systems
2018: Robert McNeel & Associates
2016: Eastside Saw
2015: Northwest Technical Products
2014: SNOCAMP
2013: LabVolt
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2026: Laurie Price
2025: Julianne Atencio