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Manatee Technical College staff honored at school board meeting; Doug Wagner inducted into FACTE faculty hall of fame
Summary
At the Aug. 5 meeting the board recognized Manatee Technical College staff: Mara Howe received a FACTE lifetime achievement award and Doug Wagner was inducted into the FACTE faculty hall of fame; Carson from Congressman's office read a letter of congratulations.
The School Board of Manatee County on Aug. 5 recognized two long-serving Manatee Technical College employees for statewide awards, and the board and public offered testimonials to their service.
Dr. Gansmere presented two awards from the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education (FACTE). Mara Howe, identified at the meeting as the supervisor of communications and grants management at Manatee Technical College (MTC), received FACTE’s lifetime achievement award for professional work that supports grant-writing and economic development. The district highlighted two recent grant totals mentioned in the presentation: $5,500,000 and $2,100,000 in support for the aviation program and additional funding for a hangar project at MTC.
Doug Wagner, described at the meeting as a 35-year career and technical education leader in Manatee County, was inducted into the FACTE faculty hall of fame. The district recounted Wagner’s roles across secondary and postsecondary CTE, service as a state supervisor of technology education, and local leadership positions that included director and executive director roles at MTC.
Kara, a staff member from Congressman Vern Buchanan’s office, read a letter from the congressman congratulating Wagner on his retirement after 35 years of service. Wagner spoke briefly, thanking district staff and praising his colleagues: "Working in education is so tough for everybody ... the number one thing I truly believe is our staff, all the teachers, the staff," he said.
Public commenter Margie Nanny also addressed the board during public comment, thanking Wagner for his years of service and describing specific examples of Wagner helping students access programs and accommodations at MTC.
Ending: Board members praised Howe and Wagner and underscored MTC’s role in career and technical education in Manatee County. Wagner is retiring in approximately one month, the board noted.
