In her current role, Cindy Arnold launched middle-school CTE programs by creating design modeling and robotics classes

Cindy Arnold, Battle Ground Public Schools’ director of career and technical education, has been named the Association for Career and Technical Education’s Region V Administrator of the Year. She is one of five finalists for the 2023 national title, which will be announced on Nov. 30, 2022. 

In her current role, Arnold launched middle-school CTE programs by creating design modeling and robotics classes that pair woodworking with science, technology, engineering and math. All six of the district’s middle schools now offer this successful program. 

Arnold also developed several new classes and programs at the high school level, including an HVAC, plumbing and electrical program; computer programming classes; and math for health care professionals, a unique offering in the state of Washington. In addition, Arnold created Battle Ground Public Schools’ STEM strategic plan, which has since been used as a model for other districts.

Prior to her current position, she was principal at Captain Strong Primary, where she implemented a leadership program to help students develop their skills. They acted as greeters as their peers entered the building in the morning, led assemblies, oversaw aspects of their classrooms, served as recess monitors and even participated in teacher interviews. The result: Captain Strong was named a School of Distinction by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the school’s scores on standardized math and reading scores increased.

“We should be providing a wide range of learning experiences for all of our students, spanning many different career tracks, fields and industries,” said Arnold. “This type of learning should not be reserved for CTE and seventh through 12th grades alone.” 

Arnold also is a former assistant principal/athletic director at Prairie High School and taught business at Clark College and Columbia River High School in Vancouver Public Schools. Her private sector experience includes working as an office manager and biological laboratory technician. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and biology education from Truman State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Washington State University.

The Administrator of the Year award recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, state or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs.

Region V includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Guam.

Information provided by Battle Ground School District.