Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
Honoring ExcEllEncE CTA educators recognized for their work DavE DEin High school teacher and Patterson Association of Teachers member Dave Dein was recently named the 2025 California Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Teacher of the Year for his outstanding work in teaching and promoting the truck driving profession to students. Dein will be one of five teach- ers competing for the national title which will be awarded later this year. Dein started Patterson High School's Truck Driving Program seven years ago — one of the nation's first such programs. His passion for sharing his love of the road has inspired many students to join the trucking and supply chain and logistics pipeline. In 2021, Dein founded the Next Generation in Trucking Association, which offers free support to high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to launch similar training programs, and awards scholarships to students looking to attend truck driving schools. austin olson anD tylEr KuEHl Austin Olson, a member of San Dieguito Faculty Association, was recognized by the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America as the 2024 SHAPE America Western District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. He was also a finalist for the national title. Olson, who heads the PE department at Pacific Trails Middle School, was pre- viously honored as the 2023 California Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CAHPERD (California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Olson and the department's classes engage students with critical social-emotional learning concepts and actively influence student behav- iors around sleep, nutrition and wellness. He empowers students by offering the choice to arrive in PE clothes, eliminating locker room anxieties. He also provides professional learning to promote quality PE experiences for students. Tyler Kuehl, another PE teacher at Pacific Trails and SDFA member, recently won San Diego CAHPERD Middle School Teacher of the Year and will compete on the state level next year. Austin Olson and Tyler Kuehl Intergalactic Peace Quest Lance Novak, Las Virgenes Education Association member and high school English teacher, has published his sixth young adult novel. "Miss Sophia Sanchez: Spy Stalker " completes the Kabookian Chronicles series where starfighter squadron commander Sophia returns to lead the starship Excelsior on a crucial mission. Tasked with escorting peace-seeking ambassadors to the planet Larzinne, the Excelsior approaches under a flag of peace. However, chaos ensues when the ambassadors are abducted. As Sophia dives into the crisis, can she rescue the kidnapped emissaries? This final adventure will test Sophia like never before, spanning light years across the galaxy and confronting the darkest of secrets. On Amazon. Lit From Within Continued from Page 56 55 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 24 O