FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlen Zarcone
mzarcone@acteonline.org
ACTE Announces Minnesota Agribusiness Instructor, South Central College, as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Dr. T.J. Brown, Agribusiness Instructor of South-Central College, as the 2025 ACTE Region III Postsecondary Professional of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the postsecondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Dr. T.J. Brown is an award-winning faculty member at South Central College in North Mankato, MN. T.J. has served SCC as an instructor since 2017, with many contributions extending beyond the classroom. This includes volunteering on several area advisory committees, southern Minnesota foundation boards, and his church.
At SCC, he teaches numerous courses in the agriculture program, focusing on topics such as Agribusiness Financial Management, Recordkeeping, Ag Law, Employability Training, and Ag Mechanics. He is also the lead instructor for the Commercial Driver’s License training program.
Prior to teaching at the college, T.J. taught high school agriculture for twelve years in Springfield, MN, where he advised a nationally recognized FFA program. He is in the MN FFA Hall of Fame, holds an Honorary FFA American Degree, and is currently the FFA Superintendent for the MN State Fair.
In addition, he has written curriculum for statewide use for both the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State College System, and he recently completed a nationally published textbook on shop safety. In 2023, he was awarded the Presidential Award of Merit from the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) and was a finalist for ACTE’s Carl Perkins Community Service Award in 2016, as well as ACTE’s Young Teacher of the Year award in 2011.
Dr. Brown is one of five finalists for the 2025 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 4, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
