ACTE Announces North Carolina Retired CEO for Emerald Education as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced
June St. Clair Atkinson, Retired CEO for Emerald Education in Raleigh, NC, as the 2026 ACTE Region II Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award Recipient. 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.
June St. Clair Atkinson, a trailblazing leader in education, has been recognized for her decades of service and groundbreaking accomplishments in public education. Atkinson made history as the first woman elected State Superintendent of the Public Schools of North Carolina, a role she held from August 2005 until December 2016. She most recently served as CEO of Emerald Education before her retirement.
During her tenure as State Superintendent, Atkinson led transformative initiatives that raised North Carolina’s high school graduation rate from 68 percent to nearly 86 percent, an all-time high. She visited all 115 school districts across the state, listening to educators, parents, students, and business leaders to implement meaningful change. Among her achievements, she advanced the adoption of career clusters and supported seamless transitions for students moving from high school into higher education and the workforce.
Atkinson’s career began as a business education teacher in Roanoke, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. She went on to serve in leadership roles at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), including chief consultant and director in business education, career and technical education, and instructional services. Throughout her career, she has been deeply engaged in professional development, instruction, and curriculum design.
Her impact has been widely recognized with numerous awards, including the Champion of Children Award from the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, the State Policy Maker of the Year Award from the National Association for State Educational Technology Directors, and the Inclusive Leadership Award from the North Carolina Association of Educators. She has also received Delta Kappa Gamma’s prestigious Founders Award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the Frances Jones Trailblazer Award, and induction into the East Carolina University Education Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Association of Career Technical Education.
In addition to her service in North Carolina, Atkinson has held prominent leadership positions at the national level, including President of the National Business Education Association, President of the Council of Chief State School Officers, and President of the state directors of career and technical education, now Advance CTE.
Atkinson holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Radford University, a master’s degree in Vocational and Technical Education from Virginia Tech, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from North Carolina State University. She has also been awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters by Campbell University.
Atkinson is one of five finalists for the 2026 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 9, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
###
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. Manley’s distinguished career in Career and Technical Education (CTE) began as a middle and high school business education teacher in both Florida and Iran. After earning her doctorate from Virginia Tech, she served as an administrator at Dalton Junior College and later as a Research Specialist at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at The Ohio State University. In 1984, she joined Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, where she launched the institution’s first master’s degree program in CTE. Now, after four decades at Ferris, she continues to inspire future leaders by teaching graduate courses in CTE and Educational Leadership.
Jonathan Burke, a dedicated school counselor and CTE specialist with 19 years of service to Mesa County Valley School District 51, has made a lasting impact on both education and his community. Based at Palisade High School, where he has served as Department Chair for many years, Jonathan has also taken on the critical role of District Coordinator for Mental Health and Crisis, demonstrating his commitment to student well-being and success.
Valerie Tibbs has been a driving force in student success at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma, where she has served as the S.C.O.R.E./Career Counselor since 2007. The S.C.O.R.E. (School of Career Opportunities and Real Education) program is a dropout recovery initiative designed to help students earn their high school diplomas and re-engage in a path toward long-term success.
Margaret Janke, a Certified Veterinary Technician with more than 15 years of experience, brings her expertise and passion for animal healthcare to her role as instructor of the Veterinary Assisting program at Wilco Area Career Center in Romeoville, Illinois. Dedicated to connecting students with real-world opportunities, she has facilitated over 5,000 hours of work-based learning, partnering with local small businesses to provide students with meaningful, community-based experiences. Under her leadership, the program integrates industry-recognized certifications—such as Fear Free Veterinary Professional—directly into the curriculum, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce.
Claire Minto serves as the Supervisor of Academies and Work-Based Learning for Mobile County Public Schools (MCPSS), the largest district in Alabama, where she leads efforts to connect thousands of students with high-quality career pathways. A strong advocate for equitable access to Career and Technical Education (CTE), Minto has built systems that link students to high-wage, in-demand careers while ensuring programs are aligned with workforce needs.
Karmin Olds, a dedicated educator and school counselor, is making a lasting impact on students and the broader community through her work at Northwest Education Services Career Tech in Traverse City. A longtime resident of Northwest Michigan, Olds has spent her career supporting students on their paths to career and postsecondary success.
Nikki Melius, a dedicated family and consumer science teacher at Faulkton High School, has spent 28 years shaping the lives of students through career and technical education, including 25 years at Faulkton. She teaches students in grades 6–12 within the Human Services and Education Career Clusters and holds National Board Certification in Career and Technical Education. Melius also advises the school’s FCCLA chapter, guiding students in leadership, service, and career development.
With a career spanning 25 years, Heather Monks has made an indelible mark on students, colleagues, and the greater Ponca City community. Since 2000, Monks has served as the Marketing Education teacher and DECA advisor at Ponca City High School, dedicating her entire teaching career to preparing students for success in business, leadership, and life.
West Central Area Schools’ agricultural education program is flourishing under the leadership of Eric Sawatzke, who has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to student career readiness and community engagement in rural Minnesota. As an agricultural education instructor at West Central Area (WCA) Schools, which serves 360 students in grades 7–12, Sawatzke has made it his mission to prepare students for meaningful careers while also strengthening the fabric of the community he serves.
