Member News

A Pennsylvania teacher has won a prestigious Outstanding Career and Technical Educator award for participation in SkillsUSA and career and technical education. The award was presented to Brian Peffley, CEPC, CCE, AAC, a pastry arts instructor at Lebanon (Pa.) County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC).

According to  LCCTC Administrative Director Glenn Meck, the Educator of the Year, is one of  SkillsUSA’s highest recognitions and is awarded for outstanding individuals who guide SkillsUSA members to becoming leaders in their chosen fields. Not awarded regularly, it is given only when the SkillsUSA Board of Directors wants to honor an exceptional educator for their service and dedication to career and technical education and SkillsUSA.

“Brian  has a passion for his craft and inspires the students to achieve the highest in their careers,” said Meck. “The Culinary and Pastry Programs at the LCCTC offer both Apprenticeship Programs and Articulation Agreements with HACC to help students further their careers. Apprenticeship is a DOL & ACF accredited 4,000 hour program in partnership with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts which includes the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey Country Club, and the Hotel Hershey. These programs are the result of the hard work of our instructors.”

Brian Peffley has been a pastry arts instructor at the LCCTC for 25 years and a SkillsUSA advisor for 24 of those years. Peffley has taught, mentored, and coached many students to compete in the SkillsUSA Championships in Commercial Baking, Restaurant Service, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Job Skill Demo A and Action Skills. For 12 years, Peffley has worked with the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC), presently serving as the ACFEFAC secondary Chair. He also received the first ACFEFAC secondary accredited baking pastry program certification in the country. Peffley holds ACF certifications as a Certified Executive Pastry Chef and as a Certified Culinary Educator (CCE). In 2011, he was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs.

Peffley and Robert Corle, CEC, CCE, Culinary Arts instructor, operate a successful lunch restaurant, Hilltop Café, where students learn all aspects of running a restaurant, including safety and sanitation, menu planning, inventory ordering, food preparation, dining room service and management, and special event planning and preparation. Over the years, his students have won many best-of-show awards for their gingerbread house creations. His students are also very active in the community. In addition to his successful secondary pastry arts program, Peffley and his co-instructor worked for almost 10 years to bring an accredited postsecondary apprenticeship program to Lebanon County. This successful apprenticeship program has now been operating for several years in conjunction with the Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company.

“Brian is a SkillsUSA champion with a true passion for helping students develop their talents and leadership, said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. “His dedication SkillsUSA and to career and technical education is inspiring.”