WDE Perkins V Coordinator of the Year

Stephanie Aitchison brings more than two decades of education experience to her role as Job Coach and Perkins Coordinator for Sheridan County School District #1. Under her leadership, the Perkins Grant has become more accessible to those who qualify and more impactful in its reach. Stephanie has built a transparent, collaborative structure that ensures grant resources are used strategically to meet the evolving needs of students, while forging partnerships with local businesses to connect students with job shadows, internships, and mock interviews. She holds a B.A. in History and Secondary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.S. in Geography and Geographic Information Science from Northwest Missouri State University.

Guidance Counselor of the Year

Jody Mitchell grew up in a Wyoming ranching family with roots in the Upper North Platte Valley dating back to the 1880s, where life on an active cow-calf operation instilled a strong work ethic and a lasting appreciation for agriculture and rural communities. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wyoming and has spent over 15 years in the College of Education. In her current role focused on CTE, she travels the state connecting individuals to the teaching profession and guiding them through certification at the University of Wyoming. She currently serves as president of WACTE's WNRS division. Outside of work, she enjoys fly fishing, gardening, hiking, and spending time with family.

CTE Student of the Year

Louden Bremer is a driven agricultural student from Lingle/Ft. Laramie High School who completed a full sequence of agricultural coursework and earned industry certification in Animal Science. As an active FFA member, he anchored state-winning Livestock Evaluation and Sales and Service teams that placed in the top 10 nationally, served as FFA Leadership Committee Chair, earned his Wyoming State FFA Degree in 2025, and won the inaugural State Agricultural Education contest. His leadership extends beyond agriculture: he served as Student Council President at his high school and as President of the Wyoming Association of Student Councils, leading a statewide hunger initiative. A multi-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA, he will attend the University of Wyoming to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education, aiming to become an agriculture teacher and give back to the CTE community that shaped him.

Teacher of the Year

Cody Pierantoni is the CTE Department Chair at Rock Springs High School in Sweetwater County School District No. 1, where he has built what is widely regarded as the most highly regarded woodworking program in Wyoming. Known for its modern techniques and strong industry alignment, the program has grown so much that more than 700 students request to enroll each year, making it one of the school's most in-demand courses. His vision extends into the community: he partners with every elementary school in the district on hands-on CTE projects that bring hundreds of families together each year, a tradition rarely seen elsewhere in the state. A University of Wyoming Industrial Technology alum, he now helps rebuild that same program as an advisor and professional development participant, and is a key contributor to Rock Springs' new 43,000-square-foot CTE center that will elevate workforce preparation for years to come.

New Teacher of the Year

Jason Thoren is a CTE instructor at Ten Sleep School in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, where he teaches welding, woodworking, drafting, computer science, middle school technical education, and work-based learning for students in grades 7 through 12. He holds a bachelor's degree in Technical Education from the University of Wyoming, an associate's degree from Casper College, and a Computer Science endorsement from Northwest College. Since joining Ten Sleep School, he has led a comprehensive revitalization of the CTE program, developing industry-aligned curriculum, expanding project-based learning, and creating a work-based learning program that connects students with local employers. He serves as the SkillsUSA advisor and supports the school's FFA chapter. A dedicated statewide advocate for CTE, he is WACTE Past President and previously served as President of the Wyoming Technical Education Association, reflecting his commitment to connecting education with workforce needs in rural communities.

Postsecondary Teacher of the Year

Tony Giest began his career in the Machine Tool Technology Program at Gillette College as an adjunct instructor in fall 2015, playing a key role in assembling and setting up the program's equipment from the ground up. He was a founding member and President of the Gillette College Machine Tool Club and received the Student Life Leader Award for 2015-2016, joining the faculty full-time as Machine Tool Technology Instructor by spring 2018. His passion for the trades traces back to 1991, when he began his career as a chrome and cylinder technician in Gillette, sparking a lifelong commitment to precision manufacturing. He actively participates in the Perkins externship program to keep his curriculum aligned with industry. Today he serves as Machine Tool Technology Program Instructor, Machine Tool Club Advisor, and SkillsUSA Advisor at Gillette College, and has hosted the Wyoming State SkillsUSA Automated Manufacturing Technology Contest.

Administrator of the Year

Rachel Chadderdon is Dean of the School of Business and Industry at Casper College, where she provides strategic leadership for academic programs that prepare students for careers in business, industry, and workforce development. With an MBA and extensive experience in grant management and program development, she brings a strong understanding of academic administration and workforce education to her work. She champions student success, builds relationships with community and industry partners, and has led initiatives connecting students with hands-on learning and industry partnerships that deepen the bridge between education and employment. A dedicated advocate for CTE across Wyoming, she actively supports WACTE's mission to elevate the visibility and impact of CTE pathways, ensuring students have access to the skills and credentials that meet the evolving needs of Wyoming's workforce.

Innovative Program of the Year

Pete Stocker is a passionate educator and skilled craftsman who has dedicated his career to construction education and hands-on learning. As a woods and construction teacher and SkillsUSA advisor, he brings technical expertise and genuine enthusiasm to his classroom, and serves on the Associated General Contractors advisory board to help shape industry standards. What sets his program apart is the scope of the projects he undertakes with students, from a sheep headers wagon to custom sheds, geodesic domes, and fully functional tiny homes, each giving students real-world experience that demands creativity, problem-solving, and craftsmanship. Beyond the classroom, he is an avid team roper with a deep appreciation for traditional skills and outdoor pursuits, values reflected in the culture of his program.

Award of Merit

Pat Joyce of the Wyoming Mining Association has built a career spanning government, public relations, and advocacy, always focused on policy that strengthens communities and workforces. Originally from Montana, she began her career in Washington, D.C., managing Small Business, Tourism, Indian Affairs, and Labor issues for former U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, later serving the Council of State Governments West as State Liaison to five western state legislatures on energy and water policy. After moving to Wyoming, she worked for the Wyoming Legislative Services Office and Governor Matt Mead before joining the Wyoming Mining Association in 2017, where she now oversees safety and education programs, regulatory affairs, legislative work, and the annual Safety Conference, and in 2025 launched an industry Workforce-Education committee to connect mining and education. She serves on the Wyoming SkillsUSA Board of Directors and has spent five years on the WACTE Industry Advisory Committee and three prior years on the Perkins Advisory Council as an industry representative for mining.

Hall of Fame

Kristi McGuire taught business and career development for 34 years before retiring in May 2024 from Goshen County Schools. A Nebraska native, she earned her teaching credentials at Chadron State College and later a master's in Instructional Technology from the University of Wyoming. Her career took her through Kansas and several Wyoming districts, including Laramie, Lingle-Ft. Laramie, Eastern Wyoming College, and finally Torrington High School, teaching everything from typing to accounting, web design, and career development. A longtime WBEA and WACTE member, she was deeply involved with FBLA, guiding nine students to state officer positions and two to top 10 national placings, and developed the Quest Academy, a 9-12 career development program. She believes strong relationships with students and colleagues are the foundation of student success.

Hall of Fame

Heidi Richins has provided 36 years of classroom instruction, including 33 at Sheridan County School District #2's Sheridan High School. She earned a B.S. in Family and Consumer Science Education from Brigham Young University in 1990 and an M.Ed. in Career and Technical Education from Concordia University in 2014. After beginning her career in Ogden, Utah, she joined Sheridan High School in 1993, where she developed a specialized program to support pregnant and parenting students and served 22 years as CTE Department Chair. She currently coordinates NextLevel Internships and Work-Based Learning, building partnerships with local industry and Sheridan College to expand career pathways. She serves on WACTE's Policy Advisory Committee, the Carl D. Perkins Advisory Committee for Sheridan College, and as a Trustee for the Whitney Benefits Foundation, among other leadership roles. Her honors include Sheridan County School District #2 Teacher of the Year (2014), WACTE Innovative Program of the Year (2018), WACTE Career Guidance Counselor of the Year (2023), and Sheridan High School Teacher of the Year (2026).

Lifetime Achievement Award

Ty Berry is a dedicated agricultural educator with nearly 40 years of experience advancing Career and Technical Education. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, he served Laramie County School District No. 1 as an Agricultural Education Instructor, FFA Advisor, and Ag Farm Manager, building a highly successful program grounded in hands-on learning, leadership, and student achievement. His students earned numerous state and national honors, and many went on to FFA leadership roles at the highest levels. He also contributed to higher education by teaching Agricultural Education Methods at the University of Wyoming and later serving as the Agriculture and Equine Pathway Coordinator at Laramie County Community College. A respected leader across the profession, he has served on multiple state boards and received numerous recognitions for his impact on agricultural education and student success. Nearly four decades of dedication, mentorship, and service have left a mark on this state that will be felt for generations.