New Philadelphia, Ohio - Buckeye Career Center Adult Education Utility Lineworker instructor Alan Zimmerman has been named the Post Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education. 

He was nominated for the honor by Student Services Coordinator Megan Zimmerman, who cited the impact her colleague has made during his nearly 10 years as an instructor. . 

“Alan has created a successful advisory committee that donates time, supplies, and equipment to the program. He is successful in student placement and retention, and he does an exceptional job of preparing students for real-world work,” she wrote. “Alan is always creative with lesson plans and individualizes them to the needs of each student. He has a good rapport with students and maintains contact with them after completion to ensure they have continued success after program completion."

BCC Adult Education, Curriculum, & Instruction Director Frank Polen said the honor is well-deserved. 

“Alan is a connector in every sense of the word. He is passionate about his instruction and our students’ employment,” he said. “Thanks to his work, our program has continued to meet the demands of today's workforce. He lives Buckeye Career Center's mission of helping people discover their passion and prepare for their future."

Zimmerman is also credited for helping BCC obtain a Derrek digger truck from AEP Ohio that will allow Utility Lineworker students to learn to bore and set poles. 

Zimmerman credited those who have come before him and those who continue to support the program. 

“I pride my program’s success to prior instructors Jon Elvin and Jim Baxter. The other great component to the success of this program is having mentors like Larry Lautzenheiser,” he said. 

Zimmerman also thanks his advisory board, which is composed of electric and telecom industry leaders from Dover Light & Power, AEP, the city of Wadsworth, the city of Orrville, Carroll Electric Co-Op, as well CTS,
Edgar Trent Construction, Thayer Power & Communication, the Harris-McBurney Company, Hinkles & McCoy, and Elevated Services.

Zimmerman is a nearly 10-year employee of BCC. He and his wife Anna have three grown children and seven grandchildren and reside in New Philadelphia. He retired from Verizon after nearly 25 years of service prior to coming to Buckeye Career Center. 

He will receive his award during the Ohio ACTE Connections to Education Conference on July 29th in Columbus. 

BUCKEYE CAREER CENTER