ACIT Announces its Teacher of the Year

ACIT Announces its Teacher of the Year

Beth Petuskey has been selected as the Atlantic County Institute of Technology’s ( ACIT ) candidate for the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program. Ms. Petuskey was selected from a group of nominees by a panel consisting of administrators, teachers, staff members, parents and community representatives.

Ms. Petuskey has been the Hospitality Management Instructor at ACIT since the 1998-99 school year. She has a BA in Education & Performing Arts from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is also a former adjunct professor in the field of hospitality at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Atlantic City campus

During her tenure at ACIT, Ms Petuskey has served as the advisor for the ACIT National Technical Honor Society and also for the Junior/Senior Prom. She was certified as a Hospitality Educator (CHE) by the American Hotel and Lodging Association of America and is also a ServSafe Certified Instructor/Proctor. She was selected for a fellowship with the National Academy Foundation concentrating on the curriculum of destination geography and international travel. She was also twice selected as a teacher/student project-based learning presenter for the National Academy Foundation Summer Institute for Professional Development.

Ms. Petuskey has had great success guiding students in competitions. She is a four time mentor of student New Jersey SkillsUSA gold medal winners in the categories of extemporaneous speaking, customer service and personal interview. In addition, she was the coach of the 2008 second place, Silver Medalist Restaurant Management Competition Team sponsored by the NJ Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

She was nominated by ACIT’s Director of Curriculum and Special Projects Dr. Johanna Johnson. In her nomination, Dr. Johnson praised Ms. Petuskey for her hard work and dedication to the hospitality and culinary program. According to Dr. Johnson, “Ms. Petuskey has given a great deal of her personal time and life to the school.  She always volunteers to be here for special events and she often chaperones activities.”

 “Her enthusiasm for the improvement of our programs, her dedication to her students and the life of this school demonstrates her worthiness to be chosen for this honor of Teacher of the Year”, Dr. Johnson added.

Ms. Petuskey resides in Hamilton Township. She will receive the Governor’s Certificate of Commendation at the annual Atlantic County Teacher Recognition Reception to be held on May 16, 2008.