2023 CTE Post-Secondary Educator of the Year
Jennifer Kline – Gateway Community College
Jennifer Kline evaluates and aligns curriculum standards articulation and prior learning credit for secondary and postsecondary CTE completers. Jennifer works closely with MCCCD curriculum, transfer center and university transfer partners to ensure prior learning credit and credit articulation are fully transferrable and works closely with industry.
She created the first-ever health science apprenticeship program at MCCCD and assisted in the creation of the first CTE educator program. Jennifer works with faculty and instructors to utilize high-impact practices for assessment in CTE programs.
Jennifer worked with industry partners and the CDC to secure funding to offer a free immunization clinic for enrolling health science students. The free immunization clinic was available to the community, including area elementary, middle, and high schools. Jennifer customized the curriculum and created two healthcare apprenticeship programs (Pharmacy Technician and Ophthalmic Assistant) to help meet the industry demand.
Jennifer worked with certification bodies, such as the National Registry of EMTs and the Arizona Department of Health Services to advocate for students under 18 years of age to be permitted to take the national certification exam. This was approved and students can now achieve certification immediately upon program completion. More students are taking the certification exams and GateWay has a 100% first-time pass rate for EKG Technician, and Pharmacy Technician and a 97% first-time pass rate for Phlebotomy.
Jennifer collaborated with two faculty members to develop a formalized CTE Educator program titled Health Professions Educator. This program is for industry experts new to teaching or who want to become CTE educators in the health science field of interest.
Jennifer has designed curriculum for 10 separate healthcare programs and apprenticeships and ensures alignment with ADE curriculum standards so that dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities can exist. Jennifer completed the ACTE Next Level Fellowship program in February 2023.
She created free immunization clinics for students, the college community (students, faculty, and staff), and the public. Jennifer seeks alternate funding sources for students’ additional assistance. She works with 3rd party businesses and foundations to build scholarships for enrolling healthcare students. West-MEC owes Jennifer Kline a debt of gratitude for her significant support and leadership of the EMT Concurrent Enrollment Program we have offered in partnership for 17 years. Jennifer is an outstanding post-secondary educator, tirelessly advocating for the needs of diverse students.