ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Ciarra D. Malto, Aerospace Science Instructor at Cherokee County School District in Woodstock, GA as the 2027 ACTE Region II New Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) teachers 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.
Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Ciarra D. Malto brings her experience as a military leader, mentor, and educator to her role as Aerospace Science Instructor at Etowah High School, where she has served since 2021. Through her leadership of the Air Force JROTC program, she provides 180 students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore aerospace science and citizenship, serve their community, and participate in a wide range of extracurricular and competitive activities.
Under Sergeant Malto’s leadership, students are encouraged to challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom. The program supports a variety of activities, including color guard, drill, honor guard, riflery, marksmanship, aerial drone competitions, and hiking. Students also participate in a week-long summer cadet leadership camp and contribute thousands of hours of community service to the local community each year.
Sergeant Malto’s commitment to excellence is especially evident through the success of her teams. She coaches Etowah High School’s riflery team and the Air Force JROTC marksmanship team, which ranked fourth nationally in 2026 after earning a third-place national ranking in 2025. She also coaches the program’s highly visible color guard team, whose professionalism and performances throughout Georgia recently earned recognition from Governor Brian Kemp at the Governor’s Workforce Summit.
Beyond her work at Etowah, Sergeant Malto contributes to the broader CTE community through her leadership with the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education. As chair of the Activities Committee for the JROTC Division, she oversees the scheduling and results of Raider and Drill competitions throughout the state, helping provide students from across Georgia with opportunities to compete, demonstrate leadership, and build teamwork.
Sergeant Malto’s dedication to her students and her profession has earned significant recognition. She is a three-time recipient of the Outstanding Instructor Award and was named her sub-region’s 2025 Instructor of the Year and 2026 Instructor of the Year. She was also named Georgia’s 2025 JROTC New Teacher of the Year, Georgia’s 2025 All-CTE New Teacher of the Year, and Etowah High School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year in December 2025.
Before beginning her career in education, Sergeant Malto served with distinction in the United States Air Force, specializing in bomber aircraft maintenance and serving in a variety of leadership positions and deployments. Her military service included being named Air Force Honor Guard Member of the Year from more than 2,500 Airmen nationwide. She was later selected for a critical administrative assignment supporting the Wing Commander and Command Chief at Edwards Air Force Base, where her leadership, innovation, and professionalism earned her the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sergeant Malto continues to bring the values of leadership, service, teamwork, and excellence from her military career into the classroom. Through her commitment to student leadership and hands-on experiences, she prepares students not only for their next steps after high school but also to become confident, responsible, and engaged members of their communities.
Malto is one of five finalists for the 2027 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 2, at 6:00 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.
