Katrina Gruet

Columbia High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department Chair and Business Instructor Katrina Gruet was recognized as the 2024-25 Business and Marketing Educators’ Association (BMEA) Outstanding Business and Marketing Educator of the Year for the Capital Region. This highly prestigious honor was presented to her at the Annual Outstanding Business Student Dinner at the Century House in Latham on Thursday.

Mrs. Gruet has been an integral part of Columbia’s Business Department for the past 13 years. She diligently assisted the district by working with the New York State Education Department to create a highly respected business department. Students may earn a CTE Endorsement on their diploma by taking a series of courses within each of the following pathways:

• Business Management/Administrative
• Accounting/Finance
• Computer Applications for Business

Over the course of Katrina Gruet’s career, she has taught Career and Financial Management, Microsoft Word Essentials, Accounting, HVCC Business and Personal Finance, HVCC Computer Concepts and Applications, HVCC Organization and Management, HVCC Principles of Marketing, HVCC Entrepreneurship, and Business Technical Math. In addition, she has been an advisor for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for several years.

“Teaching goes beyond communicating your subject matter; it involves passion, and patience while teaching your students to have a strong work ethic and become lifelong learners,” said Mrs. Gruet. “One of my favorite quotes is from Mike Rowe: ‘Work ethic is important because, unlike intelligence, athleticism, charisma, or another natural attribute it’s a choice.'”

Congratulations to Mrs. Gruet from her colleagues in the Business Department and the Faculty and Staff at Columbia High School!