ACTE Announces Utah Director of Career & Technical Education as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Dave Gardner, Director of Career & Technical Education at Washington County School District in Saint George, UT as the 2025 ACTE Region V Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes administrative career and technical education (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.
Dave Gardner, a seasoned CTE educator and leader, has significantly shaped Utah’s educational landscape. In the past seven years, Gardner has successfully collaborated with Utah Tech University in achieving the state’s highest combined year-over-year growth rate in the state’s higher education concurrent enrollment program. He also led one of the first districts to implement Utah’s K-12 Computer Science Initiative and built one of the state’s largest E-sports programs. For his efforts, he was awarded the State Office of Education’s 2017 Excellence in Action Award for career development innovation.
In the fall of 2023, Gardner brought his greatest vision to life: the opening of Utah’s first comprehensive Career & Technical Education High School (CTHS). This groundbreaking institution represents years of research and development, inspired by a collaboration with Kirk Lewis High School in Pasadena, Texas. The school blends academic excellence with CTE, creating an innovative environment where students thrive.
Utah State Superintendent Dr. Sydnee Dickson referred to CTHS as “the future of educational excellence and innovation.” Governor Cox, who recently toured the facility, was equally impressed, noting the high level of student engagement across pathways from construction to culinary arts.
Designed to foster collaboration between academic and CTE faculty, CTHS has already shown positive results, including increased student attendance, improved GPAs, and reduced discipline issues. The school’s success has sparked discussions on replicating this model across the district.
CTHS was built at half the cost of traditional high schools, making it not only a model of educational innovation but also financial efficiency. Students earn concurrent enrollment credits and industry-recognized credentials, connecting them directly to employment opportunities upon graduation. The school’s success has attracted strong support from local employers, who now contribute resources to enhance students’ career development.
Dave Gardner’s lifelong commitment to CTE continues to pay dividends, as his influence inspires students, teachers, and future leaders in the field.
Gardner 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, 2024, 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.
