(Contributed Photo)

By Staff Reports

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Technology Center in Rainsville has won the 2018 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) James E. Bottoms Pacesetter Award. The technology center was nominated by the state coordinator and by the SREB national director for this noteworthy accomplishment.

DCTC was awarded this achievement for a significant increase in the percentage of students meeting college-readiness standards or in the percentage of students passing state-approved employer certification exams. The SREB Pacesetter Award is highly competitive with only 3,000 high schools and tech school centers in the nation meeting the requirement to be considered for the award.

The Pacesetter Award is the highest recognition a high school or tech center can receive from SREB and one of the top awards within the field of education. Focus of this recognition was for the Career Coach Initiative and Dual Enrollment Program through Northeast Alabama Community College, along with Industry Certifications that lead to meaningful career opportunities before graduating high school.

DeKalb County Career Teach Director Jonathan Phillips stated:

“Four years ago, we developed a more focused approach in career tech dual enrollment. The plan was for our students to leave us with a short term certificate from Northeast, along with at least two nationally recognized certifications in their field of trade and be within a semester or two of an associate degree from Northeast Alabama Community College.

What makes us unique is that our instructors teach our dual enrollment courses through Northeast Alabama Community College at DCTC. Russ McFall — Welding, Becki Reeves — Medical, Tim Barksdale — Industrial  Maintenance/Robotics, and Tim Turner — Pre-Engineering/Drafting. Our Career Coaches, David Holt and Jessica Blalock, do a great job of helping our students find their passion and instructing those students individually in the right direction best suited for them whether it’s straight to work or post-secondary education. Phillips went on to say that he was extremely proud of the instructors and students who have contributed to make this national recognition possible.

I have always felt we have the best instructors and students in the country, and now we have the national award to validate that statement,” said Phillips. “I also want to thank Northeast Alabama Community College President Dr. David Campbell, Dr. Mike Kennamer, Dean Sherri Grace, and staff, along with Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett, the DeKalb County Board of Education and our business and industry partners for their continual support.”