A CTE Success Story Turned Leader
Stephen Weltsch serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Campus Operations at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) in Glendale, Arizona. With a background as a CTE student himself, Stephen understands the transformative power of hands-on, work-based learning experiences. Completing an accounting program at Glendale High School laid the foundation for his academic and professional success. This was instrumental in helping him overcome learning challenges and develop career-ready skills.
An Advocate for Quality Learning Systems and Industry Partnerships
Stephen’s leadership extends far beyond his administrative role. He has served as a three-time past state president for the Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona and is the current state president for the Arizona CTE Curriculum Consortium. As the president-elect for NCLA, Stephen continues to be a vocal advocate for high-quality CTE across multiple educational settings. His work includes facilitating strategic partnerships with charter schools and community colleges, as well as serving on Accreditation Engagement Reviews and the Arizona Cognia Council. Under his guidance, West-MEC programs have garnered numerous accolades at the local, state, and national levels.
Stephen holds a BA in Accountancy and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. With 27 years in secondary education, his multifaceted experience includes roles as a teacher, school administrator, and district leader.