ACTE Announces Indiana CTE Professional as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Jay Davis, Retired CTE Professional in Kokomo, IN, as the 2026 ACTE Region III 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.
Jay Davis has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing Career and Technical Education (CTE) through his leadership, service, and advocacy at the state, regional, and national levels. A retired CTE professional, Davis has been recognized throughout his career for his commitment to strengthening CTE programs, supporting educators, and creating opportunities for students.
After leaving private business to enter the classroom in 1999, Davis quickly established himself as a leader in the field. In 2003, he was named both the Indiana ACTE and ACTE Region III Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher. Over the years, he served as a secondary CTE instructor, adjunct post-secondary instructor, and secondary CTE administrator, always demonstrating his passion for empowering educators and students through CTE.
Davis played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Indiana Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE) during a critical period in the early 2000s. As Indiana Region III Representative (2004–2008) and later as IACTE President for two terms (2009–2010), he worked to stabilize the organization, expand membership, and improve financial sustainability. His decade-long leadership on the IACTE Board left a lasting impact on Indiana’s CTE community.
At the regional and national levels, Davis’ influence was equally significant. He served on the Region III Policy Board, co-chaired the 2006 Region III Conference, and received the Region III Award of Merit the same year. His national service included 14 years on ACTE’s Engineering and Technology Education Division (ETED) Policy Board, where he later became Policy Chair and Division Vice-President on the ACTE National Board of Directors (2017–2020). His leadership helped shape national policies and strengthen professional opportunities for CTE educators. In 2014, his contributions were honored with the ETED Distinguished Service Award.
Davis also played a vital role in ACTE governance, chairing the Bylaws Committee in 2013, where he spearheaded the redesign and unification of Region and Division Policy Handbooks to bring consistency across ACTE’s structure. Beyond ACTE, he served on advisory boards for Kokomo School Corporation, Ivy Tech Community College, and the Indiana Department of Education, where his work on curriculum and professional standards advanced CTE pathways statewide.
Today, Davis continues to champion the profession as a member of the ACTE Retirees Advisory Board. His career reflects an unwavering commitment to building strong CTE programs, supporting educators, and ensuring students have pathways to success. His colleagues and peers describe him as a true champion for career and technical education whose leadership has left a lasting legacy.
Davis 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.
