School District Career Pathways Partner Award
TOMAH HIGH SCHOOL

Tomah has always been a strong advocate for Career & Technical Education as well as Manufacturing. Not only do they advocate for continuous improvement within their Technology Education department to keep up with the ever-changing needs of industry, and their educators continually advocate for increased student opportunities that include dual enrollment, career-based learning experiences, work-based learning experiences, and participation in career and technical student’s organizations.

Tech Educator Excellence Award
STEVE JOHNSTON

Steve Johnston has been teaching high school Technology and Engineering Education for 35 years. He has a bachelors and master’s degree in Technology Education, a k-12 Principals License and was a 1984 graduate of Western in their Woods Techniques program. Over his career he has taught classes in welding, machining, woods, building construction, digital electronics, robotics, and computer networking.

Steve has been a Past-President of the Wisconsin Technology Education Association and continues to be their conference program coordinator. He sits on Western’s Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology Advisory Board, TUMMA’s Education Task Force, is the Department Head for the Logan HS Technology Education Department and a member of the Logan Faculty Leadership Team.

Student Excellence Award
ELLA HEMKER

Currently Ella attends Sparta High School, and she will be pursuing her degree in Education with a focus on High School Technology Education.

As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Regional Career Pathway adopted by the district, she will complete the Western Technical College approved welding program and earn her a welding certificate – 12 credits towards her future degree program! Her goal senior year is to add work-based learning experiences to her educational resume.

Ella’s goal as a female in the profession is to encourage more girls to try out the manufacturing industry. This is more important than ever as employers are in desperate need of employees to fill vacant positions.