ACTE Announces Arizona Director of Professional Development as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Curt Bertelsen, Director of Professional Development at Pima Joint Technical Education District in Tucson, AZ, as the 2026 ACTE Region V 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.
Curt Bertelsen is a lifelong educator and leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE), dedicated to empowering industry professionals to become skilled educators. With over four decades of experience, Curt has made a lasting impact on Arizona’s CTE landscape. He spent 23 years teaching Agriscience at Flowing Wells High School, where his program earned national recognition as exemplary. Since 2007, he has served as the Director of Professional Development at Pima JTED, where he continues to champion teacher excellence and innovation.
Curt’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. He has twice served as President of the Association for Career and Technical Education – Arizona, and he founded both the Arizona CTE Curriculum Consortium and the Premier Series Teacher Training Program. These initiatives have elevated teacher preparation, improved retention, and standardized curriculum across the state. A respected presenter at local, state, and national conferences, Curt’s work has helped shape the future of CTE through advocacy, collaboration, and visionary leadership.
Curt and his wife Ann live in Tucson, AZ and enjoy their three adult children and their families.
Bertelsen 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.
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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.
