The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) recently named Jona Kay Squires, Agriculture Business Coordinator at Mid-America Technology Center, as a finalist for the 2025 ACTE Region IV Postsecondary Professional of the Year award.
The honor recognizes outstanding career and technical education (CTE) educators who demonstrate classroom innovation, commitment to students, and dedication to advancing CTE within their institutions and communities.
Squires exemplifies the CTE legacy, having grown up in a family deeply rooted in agricultural education and FFA. Inspired by her parents, who collectively contributed 56 years to CTE, Squires pursued her passion for teaching and entrepreneurship, which began as a state FFA officer and CTE intern.
With 26 years in the field, now she thrives as an agriculture business coordinator, empowering future entrepreneurs.
Her career has been influenced by mentors who encouraged her leadership in ACTE at the state, regional, and national levels.
Squires served as the Oklahoma ACTE President in 2013-14. She has been an ACTE Fellow and Dupont Agriscience Teacher Ambassador, presenting at prestigious conferences including the National Association of Agricultural Educators National Conference, ACTE Conference, and ACTE Region IV Conference.
Over her career, Squires has received numerous accolades, including the Oklahoma ACTE New Teacher Award, NAAE Region II New Teacher Award in 2004, the Post Secondary Adult Career Education Economic Development Award in 2022, and the PACE Award of Excellence in 2023.
Nominated for the ACTE Postsecondary Professional Award, she lives by a guiding principle of service, growth, and helping others, believing that these actions lead to a better world.
Squires and her husband Mark enjoy life on their family farm, they have three grown children and three grandchildren who enjoy their time working and helping with the family farm.
As one of five finalists, she awaits the announcement of the 2025 national winner, which will take place at the ACTE VISION Awards Gala at 7 p.m. December 4 in San Antonio, Texas. The event honors the nation’s top CTE educators.
