Dysart Middle School Teacher Wins State CTE Award

Karin Salsberry, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher at Dysart Middle School, received the 2026 Outstanding CTE Middle School Teacher of the Year award by the Association for Career Technical Education - Arizona (ACTEAZ) on July 15 at the annual summer conference.

The award recognizes CTE middle school teachers who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique, and effective CTE programs.

Thom Luedemann, CTE Director for the Dysart Unified School District, nominated Salsberry for the award, noting that Karin “integrates hands-on career exploration through curriculum aligned to high school CTE pathways, giving students meaningful early exposure to fields including culinary arts, veterinary science, and digital media production.”

The vision of ACTEAZ is to grow and promote CTE at local and national levels and provide members professional and leadership growth opportunities, creative ideas and statewide networking, access to local and national companies for products, career applications and community outreach.