2025 Award Winners
CTE Administrator of the Year
Nicole LeClaire, Superintendent, Bertrand Community School
Dr. LeClaire began her professional journey with 12 years of service in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. In 2006, I transitioned to education, teaching AP Government in Houston, Texas, and quickly discovered her passion for inspiring students and shaping future leaders. In 2018, LeClaire relocated to Nebraska and joined the Academies at Grand Island Senior High as the Law & Public Safety Instructor. In 2020 she assumed the role of 7-12 Principal at Kenesaw.
While at Kenesaw, she developed a master schedule centered around Career and Technical Education pathways, which provided students with increased opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world application without the need for additional full-time staff. She also established all six of the state’s recommended career pathways and introduced 12 new college-level courses that included Advanced Placement and Dual Credit classes. She integrated work-based learning opportunities so that every graduate not only completed a concentration in one of the six pathways but also gained valuable work experience. Her initiatives have been recognized through several grants, including the Nebraska Action Grant for just shy of $100,000, which enabled the expansion of the Health Science pathway with a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.
LeClaire’s professional goals are focused on further integrating innovative, industry-relevant programs into our educational framework to better prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce. She is currently in her first year as the Superintendent at Bertrand and is continuing these transformative initiatives, further solidifying partnerships with industry leaders, and continuing to expand opportunities that empower every student to achieve their full potential.
CTE Postsecondary Professional of the Year
Nicholas Schreck, Dean of Business, Midland University
Dr. Schreck is currently the Dean of Business at Midland University where he oversees eight undergraduate programs, three graduate programs, and a team of over twenty people. Nick earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Midland University in 2011 and went on to earn graduate degrees from Gonzaga University, Temple University, and Franklin University in marketing and related fields.
Nick started his career at an educational technology company called Sycamore Education where he helped train and support schools in over 30 different countries. He realized he loved teaching and began teaching Fundamentals of Oral Communication at Midland as an adjunct instructor. Then, once a full-time marketing faculty position opened up, Nick was selected and spent seven years in the role. In May 2024, he was named as Dean of the Dunklau School of Business at Midland University, his alma mater.
In 2024, Nick was named as a B.E.S.T. award recipient and was also awarded as the Outstanding Postsecondary Teacher of the Year in Nebraska by the NSBEA. In the past, Dr. Schreck has been awarded with the Outstanding Full Time Professor of the Year award from Midland (2021), the Student Professor of the Month award (March 2022), and the Nebraska FBLA Businessperson of the Year (2021).
CTE New Teacher of the Year
Reagan Cavanaugh, Assistant Professor
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Reagan Cavanaugh brings a fresh perspective and dedicated commitment to agricultural education in her role as an agribusiness instructor at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. In her first year of teaching, Cavanaugh has focused on enhancing NCTA’s agribusiness program through modernization initiatives and industry connections.
Cavanaugh earned her M.S. in Agricultural Communications with International Marketing emphasis from Oklahoma State University, where her research on transformative learning approaches in digital media education earned recognition at the 2024 National Agricultural Communications Symposium. Since joining NCTA, she has worked to expand student opportunities, contributing to triple enrollment in the Women in Agriculture club, establishing after-hours review sessions, and coaching both agribusiness and agricultural communications teams for national competitions. Currently pursuing her MBA while teaching full-time, she models the commitment to lifelong learning she hopes to instill in her students.
Cavanaugh’s vision centers on strengthening rural America through quality education. This mission drives her to continually develop teaching approaches that bridge traditional agricultural knowledge with contemporary business practices. She finds her greatest joy in witnessing students’ “lightbulb moments” and helping them discover their passion for agriculture, making each day in the classroom an opportunity to impact the future of agricultural education.
Outstanding FCS Teacher of the Year
Jonelle Thoene, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Crofton Community Schools
Jonelle Thoene, is the FCS teacher at Crofton Community Schools. Jonelle began her teaching career in Iowa as a German teacher and later Columbus High School. While at Columbus, she worked with students in grades 6-12 in an alternative education program, providing instruction and support across multiple subject areas to meet diverse learning needs. In 2016, she accepted a full-time teaching position as a Family and Consumer Sciences instructor at Crofton Community Schools.
Mrs. Thone was awarded the National FCCLA Spirit of Advising and Master Adviser Award in 2022. In 2024, she was recognized as the FCSTN 6-12 Year Teacher of the Year Award at the Nebraska Career Education Conference. While these accolades are truly meaningful, she realizes they have reinforced her sense of purpose in guiding students toward success in the CTE career field. They have motivated her to continue helping students and educators to determine and achieve their goals, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed for their future careers.
A parent of an FCCLA student writes, “I have the utmost respect for her professionalism, fairness, and balance in planning. I have always known Mrs. Thoene to be dedicated and enthusiastic in all she does. I can attest to her experience in managing multiple priorities and responsibilities.”
ACTEN Outstanding CTE Teacher of the Year
Adam Whitmore, Columbus High School
Adam Whitmore has been teaching at Columbus High School and serving as an adjunct instructor at Central Community College (CCC) for 17 years. Mr. Whitmore serves as the robotics coach at Columbus High School and is involved in Skills USA as well as the intramural eSports. He holds degrees and diplomas in electronics technology, information systems, and mechatronics with over 20 nationally recognized certifications.
Adam emphasizes the importance of applying classroom lessons to real-world industries, including manufacturing, medical, agricultural, transportation, and computer technologies. Many of his students now have successful careers in engineering and technical trades because of his expertise, instruction, and support.
Adam was honored as the Teacher of the Year for Columbus Public Schools in 2018, the ACTEN Technology and Engineering Teacher of the Year, and a 10-11 News Golden Apple award recipient. He serves as the Division Representative for Technology and Engineering Education on the ACTEN board.
Adam has guided his students to excel at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, where they have placed first in mechatronics 2023 and 2024 and second in 2022 and 2021. His robotics teams also achieved a national championship, runner-up titles, a programming skills award, and an honor award in March 2024.
CTE Member of the Year
Jon Cerny, Superintendent, Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Dr. Jon Cerny has been at Bancroft-Rosalie Community School since 1982. He began his career as the 7-12 science teacher, became activities director in 1984, and principal in 1987. He was named the superintendent in 1993.
In 2015, Dr. Cerny received the Terrell Bell Award from the Nebraska Department of Education for Outstanding Leadership. In 2013 he receive the Outstanding Superintendent Award from the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association. Dr. Cerny serves on several state and local committees including past president of the NRCSA, board member of the Nebraska School Activities Association, vice president of the Nebraska Career Education and Innovation Foundation, Northeast Nebraska Career Academy Board of Directors, and president of the John G. Neihardt Foundation Board of Directors.
His passion for career and technical education is demonstrated by his service and involvement in many organizations focusing on our youth. He has served as the president-elect, president, past president, and currently serves as the division representative for the Administrative Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education of Nebraska. His knowledge and leadership on the board is invaluable.
ACTEN Member of the Year
Murleen Bellinger, Executive Director of ACTEN
Murleen Bellinger brings over four decades of dedication to education and career development in Nebraska. Since 2015, she has served as the Executive Director of the Association for Career and Technical Education of Nebraska (ACTEN), where she has done an outstanding job leading the organization. Her passion, vision, and commitment have strengthened ACTEN’s impact, expanded support for educators, and elevated the importance of career and technical education across the state.
Prior to her leadership role at ACTEN, Murleen spent 29 years as a respected business teacher and FBLA advisor at Waverly High School where she inspired generations of students through her commitment to practical, career-focused instruction. With a total of 35 years in the teaching profession, she retired from full-time teaching in 2011 but continues to contribute to education with her expertise on the ACTEN board.
Murleen’s lifelong passion for student success and teacher support continues to shape the future of career and technical education in Nebraska.
