Keely DiTizio Receives December 2021 New Jersey’s Heartland Hero Award
Keely DiTizio is a pioneer who is helping to grow a generation. Keely has a labor of love for agriculture. She plants seeds in the hearts and minds of our youth through her agricultural courses, and for this honorable work, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to announce Keely DiTizio as our December Heartland Hero.
Keely DiTizio teaches agriculture at Salem County Career and Technical School in Mannington Township, where she founded the school’s Academy of Agricultural Sciences. She initiated one of the first full Curriculum for Agricultural Science and Education (CASE) programs. The mission of CASE is to impact student career readiness by empowering teachers with improved instructional practices and relevant curricula sustained by professional development. In 2020, CASE awarded Ms. DiTizio the National Innovation Award. The award recognizes a classroom using creativity and innovation to teach and promote the CASE curriculum.
“As a life-long learner, I love thinking of new ways to teach, inspire, or impact my students,” DiTizio said. “It really enriches my life, and I get very excited about implementing new ideas or programs into my school’s Academy of Agricultural Sciences.”
Her innovative courses have become a popular choice at Salem County Career and Technical School. In the first five years of this program that Keely has implemented, the average number of freshman students signed up has quadrupled.
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter she oversees has been awarded New Jersey FFA’s Most Improved Chapter twice in her tenure. DiTizio is preparing future generations for the business, science, and technology of agriculture.
For these reasons, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to honor Keely DiTizio as the December 2021 Heartland Hero Winner.
While New Jersey’s Heartland is filled with hidden gems, its biggest treasures are the people who make the region a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. All Heartland Heroes receive a Heartland Heroes Certificate and Gift Basket in recognition of their award. To nominate your Heartland Hero, visit http://njheartland.org/live/heartland-heroes-nomination-form/.
