Heather Gamache Honored with WA-ACTE Teacher of the Year Award
Maggie Uceny Recognized as Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year Award
Longtime Selah Educator, Kathi Hendrix, Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Even though our schools have been quiet this summer, we still have some great news that we want to shout about!
Congratulations to Selah High School Teacher, Heather Gamache, for being honored as the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (WA-ACTE) New Teacher of the Year Award! Gamache was honored earlier this week at the association’s summer conference. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding new teachers who have made significant contributions to Career and Technical Education. The recognition encompasses all recipients who were honored earlier this year within their specialties of career and technical education. Gamache became eligible for the top State award after receiving the Washington Health Sciences Career and Technical Education (HSCTE) New Teacher of the Year Award.
Soon to begin her fourth year of teaching Selah, Gamache incorporates her industry experience into teaching career and technical educational classes at the high school. Holding a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree and also having been a practicing pharmacist, Gamache teaches classes within the school’s Health Sciences pathway. In her classes, Gamache has developed innovative approaches to help students succeed and course work is filled with hands-on activities, project-based learning, and interactive lessons which enhance student learning. During her tenure at Selah High School, Gamache has focused on developing a curriculum that not only meets the standards of the HSCTE, but also fosters a love of learning for students that prepares them for future careers.
Gamache chose her educational career path to connect with young people and advance their interest in health sciences. Also, because growing up in a career and technical educational home, Gamache understands the power of knowledge tied to the passion of learning through project-based connections to the world and it is her goal to open up these opportunities for all kids.
Also at the WA-ACTE Summer Conference, Selah High School teacher, Maggie Uceny, was recognized with the state award for Family and Consumer Sciences New Teacher of the Year Award. Entering her fourth year of teaching in Selah, Uceny teaches Family and Consumer Sciences classes which this year will include, Life Preparation, Childcare Basics, Intro to Early Childhood and Child Psychology. Uceny is also one of school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter advisors, who provides leadership to Selah's award winning club. In her words, Maggie said she became a CTE teacher because of her own extraordinary experiences in high school with CTE courses as well as different Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO’s) including FFA and FCCLA.
Finally, long-time Selah High School teacher and FCCLA Advisor, Kathi Hendrix, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Family and Consumer Sciences for her service to the field of career and technical education. In her 26-year tenure with the District, Hendrix was instrumental in developing the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at the high school as well as provided leadership to the nationally recognized FCCLA Chapter. In addition to her teaching service in the field, Hendrix has served on both state and national Family and Consumer Sciences leadership boards. With her daughter, Heather Gamache, servicing as a teacher in Selah, her grandchildren attending school in the District and who are also involved in Family and Consumer Sciences, as well as former students who are now teachers in the field, Hendrix continues to influence career and technical education learners.
Selah’s Career and Technical Education Program has proved strong across the years as previous state award recipients have also included Geoff Anderson for Skilled and Technical Sciences, Courtney Peart in Health Sciences, and Shari Brink in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Congratulations to Selah educators, Heather Gamache, Maggie Uceny, and Kathi Hendrix for their achievement in the field of career and technical education!
