ACTE Announces Tennessee EPP Supervisor at Knox County Schools as the 2026 National Winner 

ACTE Announces Tennessee EPP Supervisor at Knox County Schools as the 2026 National Winner 

 ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Ulla Carr, EPP Supervisor at Knox County Schools (KCS) in Knoxville, TN, as the 2026 ACTE Teacher Educator of the Year – National Winner. This award recognizes teacher educators who have demonstrated innovation in teacher education, leadership in improving CTE, and commitment to preparing teachers to deliver high quality CTE programs.  

Ulla Carr, Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Supervisor for Knox County Schools (KCS) in Tennessee, is honored for her outstanding leadership in developing and sustaining a strong pipeline of future Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers. Now guiding her sixth cohort of aspiring CTE educators, Carr oversees a rigorous preparation model that blends coursework, individualized coaching, and structured mentoring. Serving 17 school districts, the KCS EPP is on track to welcome its 100th program completer next school year. 

Carr’s influence reaches well beyond Knox County. She serves on the State Board of Education’s Licensure Review Committee and previously contributed her expertise to the Tennessee Department of Education’s Educator Preparation Working Group from 2021–2023. She has also been deeply involved in professional leadership, including on the Tennessee ACTE (TNACTE) board, where she served as president from 2021–2023. Through these roles, she has helped shape educator preparation policy and strengthen professional expectations for teachers statewide. 

Prior to leading the EPP, Carr worked as a CTE Specialist for KCS, supporting nearly 200 CTE instructors and guiding new teachers as they transitioned into the classroom. She also served the Tennessee Department of Education as a CTE Literacy Common Core Coach, collaborating with districts across East Tennessee to enhance instructional practices. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade teaching Business and German at West High School in Knoxville, where she also served as Lead Teacher, Department Chair, Lead Mentor, and Professional Development Specialist for the district’s CTE Department. 

Carr earned an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee—graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA—as well as a master’s degree in business education from Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, Germany. She holds both a PreK–12 Educational Administration License and a Tennessee Professional Teacher License in Business Education and German. 

As a national award winner, Carr is celebrated for her vision, commitment, and enduring contributions to teacher preparation in Tennessee. Her work to build robust support structures, elevate professional learning, and empower new educators continues to strengthen CTE programs and enrich classrooms across the state. 

Carr 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.