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.
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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.
