FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlen Zarcone
mzarcone@acteonline.org
ACTE Announces North Carolina Retired CEO for Emerald Education as the 2026 National Award Winner
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 Lifetime Achievement Award – National Winner. This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period. ACTE also inducted all five Lifetime Achievement national finalists into the ACTE Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the leadership of CTE professionals who have made enduring contributions to CTE throughout their career.
A respected and visionary educator, June St. Clair Atkinson has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities for students and strengthening public education systems. She made history as the first woman elected State Superintendent of the Public Schools of North Carolina, serving from August 2005 to December 2016, and later continued her work in education leadership as CEO of Emerald Education. Her commitment to elevating achievement, supporting educators, and advancing career and technical education has left a lasting impact at both the state and national levels.
During her time as State Superintendent, Atkinson championed transformative initiatives that elevated North Carolina’s high school graduation rate from 68 percent to nearly 86 percent—an unprecedented milestone. She visited all 115 school districts across the state, engaging directly with educators, parents, students, and business leaders to drive meaningful improvements. Among her many contributions, she helped advance the adoption of career clusters and strengthened pathways that support students transitioning from high school to higher education and the workforce.
Atkinson began her career as a business education teacher in Roanoke, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, before moving into influential leadership roles at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Her work as a chief consultant and director in business education, career and technical education, and instructional services showcased her deep commitment to professional development, curriculum design, and instructional excellence.
Her legacy has been recognized through numerous prestigious 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 earned Delta Kappa Gamma’s 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 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Association of Career Technical Education.
Beyond her work in North Carolina, Atkinson has been a prominent national leader, serving as 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 was one of five finalists for the 2026 national title. The national winner was announced at the Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event took place on December 9, at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The U.S. 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.
