ACTE Announces Oklahoma Agriculture Business Coordinator/Manager at Mid-America Technology Center, as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Jona Kay Squires, Agriculture Business Coordinator/Manager at Mid-America Technology Center, as the 2025 ACTE Region IV 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.
Jona Kay Squires embodies the career technical education (CTE) legacy, deeply rooted in agriculture and FFA, influenced by parents who dedicated 56 years to CTE teaching. As a former state FFA officer and CTE intern, her passion for teaching and entrepreneurship blossomed. With 26 years of CTE experience, she thrives as an agriculture business coordinator, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs.
Her journey has been shaped by dedicated role models who encouraged her leadership in the Association for Career Technical Education (ACTE) at the state, regional, and national levels. Jona Kay served as the Oklahoma ACTE President in 2013-14 and has been an ACTE Fellow and Dupont Agriscience Teacher Ambassador, presenting at prestigious conferences including the National Association of Agricultural Educators National Conference, ACTE Conference, and ACTE Region IV Conference.
Additionally, she received the Oklahoma ACTE New Teacher Award and the NAAE Region II New Teacher Award in 2004, along with the Post Secondary Adult Career Education Economic Development Award in 2022 and the PACE Award of Excellence in 2023. Proudly nominated for the ACTE Post Secondary Professional Award, her mantra of service, growth, and nurturing others resonates deeply, as she believes that through these actions, life inevitably becomes better.
Jona Kay and her husband Mark have three grown children and three grandchildren, enjoying their time working and helping with the family farm.
Squires 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.
