FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlen Zarcone
mzarcone@acteonline.org
ACTE Announces Georgia Retired Teacher as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Cynthia Greene, Former Program Specialist for Business & Information Technology, Former Business Teacher & Former Business Manager for GACTE in Marietta, GA, as the 2025 ACTE Region II Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Cynthia Greene has dedicated over four decades to education and curriculum development, specializing in business, entrepreneurship, and computer science. Her vast experience includes roles with the Jackson County and Fulton County School Systems, the Georgia Department of Education, and major educational publishers such as National Geographic, Cengage, Southwestern Publishing Company, and Thomson Learning.
Following her retirement from the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE), Cynthia continued her commitment to advancing education by joining the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education (GACTE) as the Business Manager. In this role, she played a pivotal part in driving the organization forward by managing membership promotion, overseeing conference logistics, and maintaining financial records.
Cynthia’s outstanding contributions to education have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education Lifetime Achievement Award, the Business Education Hall of Fame Award, the NBEA Supervision Award, and the SBEA Supervision Award. She has also been honored as Secondary Teacher of the Year by both the National Business Education Association (NBEA) and the Southern Business Education Association (SBEA) and was named STAR Teacher and Teacher of the Year at North Springs High School.
An active member of several professional organizations, Cynthia has held leadership positions within the Association for Career & Technical Education, the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education, the National Business Education Association, and the Southern Business Education Association, where she has served as President, Past President, and President-Elect. She is also a seasoned presenter, sharing her expertise on entrepreneurship and business education at numerous national, state, and local conferences.
Cynthia holds a Specialist in Education and a Master of Education from the University of Georgia, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia State University.
With her extensive experience, proven leadership, and unwavering dedication to education, Cynthia Greene continues to be a valuable asset to the educational community.
Greene is one of five finalists for the 2025 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
Dr. Brian L. Pyles serves as the State Director for the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education (MDE-OCTE), where he provides visionary leadership for Michigan’s secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs. In this role, Dr. Pyles is dedicated to ensuring that all learners have access to equitable, high-quality, and rigorous academic instruction within the CTE system.
Greg Friedman works with the Merced County Office of Education as a Job Development and Training Technician. For the past three years, Greg’s commitment to providing comprehensive career guidance and preparation for adults enrolled in the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) throughout the county has been evident in his innovative approach to workforce development. Greg teaches essential skills and job-searching techniques through various workshops and webinars, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in their careers. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating artificial intelligence into career exploration and readiness, ensuring students have the right capabilities to succeed in future opportunities. 
Brandi Williams serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Counselor at Calhoun High School, where she plays an integral role in student development, from professional growth and student recruitment to facilitating future career opportunities for graduates. Over the past eight years, Brandi has focused on creating course sequences aligned with state-approved programs of study, ensuring that students receive a robust CTE education that maximizes their chances of completing their programs.
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Shelley Kaler discovered her passion for education over two decades ago while working as a student assistant at Jacksonville State University. During her time in the Office of the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, she developed a deep commitment to serving students. This passion grew as she transitioned to the Office of Admissions, where she spent over ten years recruiting students across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.
Vanita Wilson brings over 25 years of dedicated counseling experience to her role as a Guidance Counselor at Genesee Career Institute (GCI) in Flint, MI, where she supports the success of over 1,900 students. Renowned for her holistic approach, Vanita builds meaningful relationships with students, parents, and the broader community, creating a nurturing environment that empowers students to reach their full potential. Her commitment to the GCI community has made her an invaluable asset, known for implementing strategies that foster both educational achievement and personal growth. 
Troy Reichert has been teaching Industrial Technology for 27 years now and has also coached a variety of sports along with being the SkillsUSA advisor at Guernsey-Sunrise Public School. He believes in teaching outside the classroom, and that has led him to creating a summer skilled trades camp in Sunrise for boys and girls from across the nation to work on the oldest YMCA in the state. His students are also doing a full remodel of the VFW Post 4471 building in Guernsey to improve their skills and help the community. 
Patricia Downing has dedicated nearly 40 years to the restaurant industry, building a career rooted in both hands-on experience and academic achievement. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Administration with a concentration in Culinary Arts, along with certificates in Hospitality Management, Restaurant Management, Event Management, and Bar and Beverage Management from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis. Patricia furthered her education with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Urbana University in Ohio, an Executive master’s in hospitality administration (MHA) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University.
Regina Birch’s journey in education began at Dongola High School, where her passion for family and consumer sciences was nurtured through 4-H and FHA. Inspired by her love for sewing and cooking, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics with teacher certification from Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 1989. She later returned to Eastern for an endorsement in Special Education and furthered her expertise with a master’s degree in educational leadership from McKendree University in 2010.
