GICCA’s Depenhart and Chef Bersticker Win Awards at the 79th Annual Georgia ACTE Summer Conference
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Chef Bersticker receives award. (Provided photo)

Dr. Depenhart (right) receives award
Dr. Joseph Depenhart and Chef Laura Bersticker were among 80 career and technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) educators who were honored by the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education (GACTE) during its 79th Summer Conference which met earlier this year at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The conference was attended by over 1,300 CTAE educators from around the State.
Nominated by their division peers and selected by the GACTE Awards Committee, each nominee was presented with an award naming them as their division’s 2026 Georgia College & Career Academy nominees. Each division recipient was then considered as a nominee for the corresponding state award.
Chef Laura teaches Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry pathways at GICCA. An educator for more than 5 years, Bersticker recently guided her program through the rigorous Culinary Arts Industry Certification process, which recognizes the program as one of the top culinary arts programs in the state.
Dr. Depenhart has been the Principal of GICCA and the CTAE Director for Glynn County Schools since 2019. During his tenure, the Career Academy has seen unprecedented growth through the addition of several new pathways including Heavy Equipment Operations, Fire & Emergency Services, Plumbing and Phlebotomy and Clinical Lab Technician.
