2008 PTE Award Recipients

Dental Assisting Program—
BSU Selland College of Applied Technology

Instructors:  Monica Beutler, Elaine Laursen

Dental Assisting Program Chair: Terrie Beckman

Manager, Center for Health Technology: SeAnne Safaii

Dean, Selland College of Applied Technology:  Vera McCrink

BSU President:  Robert Kustra

This program is the only one in the State—other than Apollo College—that holds accreditation from the American Dental Association, an extremely difficult level of accreditation to attain.  Over 40 Treasure Valley dentist offices participate in the placement of students for clinical experiences.  The program, and its relationship with the community, provides amazing authentic experiences for students.  The program enjoys donations of equipment and supplies from the dental community as well.

Instructors were instrumental in developing the PTE-approved curriculum for this area.  Additionally, one of the instructors has served as a consultant to the State Board of Dentistry as to what Dental Assisting certification should look like and how licensure should be structured.

View BSU Selland COAT Dental Assisting Program Photos

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Family and Consumer Sciences Program—
Project C.D.A., Coeur d'Alene School District

Instructors: Angie Beck, Jean Hansen, and Donna Schwandt

Project C.D.A. Kitchen Manager: Valerie Martin

Region I PTE Coordinator:  Jason Greene

Region IV Tech-Prep Coordinator:  Cathleen Sanborn

Project C .D.A. Principal:  James Ferguson

Director of Secondary Education: Rosie Astorquia

Superintendent:  Harry Amend

This program is thorough and unique in its approach.  It serves as the cornerstone of success for most all students in this alternative high school, with 90 percent of the student population of 200 benefitting from the program’s course offerings.

Unique aspects of this program focus on the belief that all students need real world skills to compliment their basic skills.  Learning revolves around a base of hands-on activities.  The ability to “do” is as important as the ability to “know.”  Students continually participate in activities where they investigate, evaluate, and create projects that support needs throughout our world.

View Project C.D.A. Family and Consumer Science Program Photos

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Commercial Cleaning Program—
Robert Janss School, Idaho Correction Center

Instructor: Bill Hale

Instructor Supervisor:  Mary Ellen Nourse

Robert Janss Principal:  David Melhaff

Acting Warden:  Daniel Prado

This program has been in existence since 2002, and was established to teach students the janitorial skills necessary to find gainful employment at the Idaho Correctional Center and in the community upon their release.   In addition to teaching the students the basics of business management, students simultaneously complete rigorous curriculum developed by the Cleaning Management Institute.  A few of the many courses are Chemistry of Cleaning, Hazardous and Infectious Waste, Advanced Cleaning of Hard Floor Surfaces, and Tools of the Trade.

This program is also available to inmates who lack the capability to complete a General Education Development (GED) program.  One of the special-needs students in this program is currently working as a “Captain’s Crew Custodian” within the Idaho Correctional Center.

View Robert Janss School Commercial Cleaning Program Photos

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Dean Cameron, Senate
Idaho Legislature
Joint Finance Appropriation Committee

This special recognition honors an individual who has supported and championed professional-technical education in Idaho.

Senator Dean Cameron is the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and therefore co-chair of the Joint Finance and Appropriation committee – a position he shares with Representative Bell. In that position, he has played a key role in providing the necessary funding for PTE programs. While we have never gotten everything we have asked for, Senator Cameron has always treated our requests with utmost respect and concern. He has been a solid advocate of the importance of this part of the educational system throughout his tenure in the legislature both from a budget and policy perspective.

Dean Cameron has been a dedicated public servant for many years.  He has been an Idaho Senator since 1991. Prior to that Dean Cameron was a Precinct Committeeman and Youth Committeeman for the Republican Party. Senator Cameron serves on the Commerce and Human Resources Committee, the Resources and Environment Committee and is chair of the Finance Committee and chair of the Finance Appropriations Committee.

Senator Cameron graduated from Meridian High School and earned an Associate’s Degree in Arts & Science majoring in political science from Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). He is co-owner of Cameron & Seamons, Inc. Insurance and Investments. He is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, the National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors (NAIFA), the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce, and the Rupert Rotary Club. He and his wife, Linda, have three children:  Carissa, Laci, and Nathan.

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