ACTE Announces Washington, DC Teacher – Career Technical Education as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Terence Richards, Teacher – Career Technical Education at District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington, DC as the 2026 ACTE Region I 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.
Since joining Cardozo Education Campus in the 2019–2020 school year, Mr. Richards has been a driving force for diversity, inclusion, and educational excellence. His dedication has helped guide students toward admission at top colleges and successful career pathways in Engineering, Information Technology, and Aerospace.
As part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) team, Richards has been instrumental in supporting the onboarding of new CTE staff both at Cardozo and across the District of Columbia Public School system. He has also spearheaded several student-focused initiatives, including serving as SkillsUSA Advisor, leading the High School Internship Program (HSIP), mentoring the First Robotics Competition (FRC) Team, and launching an IT Pathway Study Boot Camp. Through his leadership, Cardozo students proudly represented their school at the 2024 and 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conferences in Atlanta.
Richards’ commitment to students and CTE has earned him recognition at both the local and national levels. In 2023, he was nominated for the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). He has also been admitted into the Dean’s Fellows Program at the University of the District of Columbia and was selected for the Northern Virginia Community College Tech Fellowship—further affirming his role as an innovative educator and leader
Richards 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, 2025, 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.
