TRAVERSE CITY — A local career tech teacher will be vying for a national award after earning regional recognition.
Scott O’Dell, an aviation maintenance teacher at the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center in Traverse City, won the regional title for “New Teacher of the Year” from the Michigan Association for Career and Technical Education on Tuesday after winning the same title at the state level Jan. 27.
As the regional winner, which includes 14 states and Washington D.C., O’Dell moves on to the national Career Tech VISION conference which will be held on Dec. 2-5 in New Orleans.
“National recognition is certainly an unexpected honor, and I am grateful for the support from my fellow educators and colleagues at North Ed,” O’Dell said. “Teaching has been a fulfilling adventure for me, and I am thrilled that I get to go to work every day and share my knowledge and experiences with the next generation of aircraft mechanics.”
The program teaches students about the physics of flight, flight controls and landing gear, hydraulic systems, airframe structure inspections and sheet metal fabrication.
It prepares students for careers in aviation maintenance, aviation inspector, engine and machine assembly and aircraft assembly. The program also serves as a pathway to certification as an airframe and power plant technician.
Prior to joining the staff at North Ed, O’Dell worked in the aviation industry, where he trained new employees and discovered a passion for teaching, the release said. He furthered his classroom experience and later became North Ed Career Tech’s first instructor of the Aviation Maintenance program, which launched in 2023.
“His knowledge of the industry and collaboration with regional partners has created new opportunities for students to gain skills and deepen their knowledge of aircraft mechanics and maintenance. He is fully deserving of this national recognition,” Pat Lamb, assistant superintendent of Career and Technical Education said.
Dr. Tara Mager, North Ed superintendent, said that this award is part of a “tradition of excellence” built from the work of educators like O’Dell.
Previously, Power Equipment instructor Jared Diephouse was a finalist in the Teacher of the Year category in 2024, while Assistant Superintendent for Career and Technical Education Pat Lamb and Career Tech Guidance Counselor Karmin Olds were both national finalists in 2025, for Administrator of the Year and Counseling & Career Development Professional of the Year, respectively.