ATHENS — Kate Keith was among 35 career and technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) educators who were honored by the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education (GACTE) during its annual summer conference, which met July 15-17 at the Classic Center in Athens. The conference was attended by 1,859 CTAE educators from around the state. Nominated by their division peers and selected by the GACTE Awards Committee, each nominee was presented with a plaque naming them as their division’s 2018 nominee for the Counseling and Career Development Award. Keith was then named the overall state award winner and honored with another plaque and a check for $500. She will represent Georgia in the Association for Career & Technical Education Region II competition in September 2019. Keith will also be appropriately recognized by the Effingham County School District where she is employed. She is a shool counselor for Effingham College & Career Academy in Rincon. An educator for more than 19 years in the Effingham County School District, her responsibilities include helping families navigate all aspects of post-secondary planning in addition to providing daily academic, social, and emotional support to students. Keith acts as a consultant for parents, teachers, administration, community mental health professionals, and post-secondary institutions to provide the best care and opportunities for students. Keith holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Education in Counseling, and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling, from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. “GACTE is one of my favorite organizations as it supports educators in implementing real-life training and experiences for students in an effort to help them become productive citizens," Keith said. "GACTE is a network of like-minded and skilled individuals who share this common and daunting goal. I appreciate GACTE as it is not designed solely to make me feel good about my job. "It gives me the actual tools to do my job well — to provide for the students and families within my care — to be an effective school counselor. I am thankful for GACTE and look forward to representing Georgia counselors within this stellar organization."