MARYSVILLE — Mary Elizabeth Vandaveer, a family and consumer science teacher at Marysville-Pilchuck High School with more than 36 years of classroom experience, recently received the Excellence in Education Award from the Washington State Alpha Delta Kappa Organization.

Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization for women educators that presents this award every other year to one of its members to recognize outstanding contributions to education.

To be eligible for consideration, the nominee must be a member in good standing, be actively engaged in the education profession and be employed full-time in teaching, administration or some specialized field of education. Nominees are judged on their professional dedication, knowledge, skills, professional achievement and success, school-and-community collaboration and contributions to the educational process.

Vandaveer was named this biennium’s recipient at the Alpha Delta Kappa State Banquet in Everett April 17, and her name will now be submitted for consideration in the Alpha Delta Kappa Northwest Regional level, which includes six states.

Vandaveer was praised for her proactive role in making family and consumer science applicable and relevant to students, as well as for continually innovating curriculum and emphasizing financial literacy and career education. She was cited for implementing child care during school events, incorporating new trends into her lessons, collaborating with other staff members and seeking opportunities to grow professionally.

Vandaveer’s leadership roles on state boards have included the Family and Consumer Sciences Educators Executive Board and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction FACSE Essential Learning Writing Team. She’s also served as an adjunct professor for Seattle Pacific University, while a member of the Washington Education Association Teaching Cadre. She was credited with shaping the direction of education in both Marysville and the state of Washington as a whole.