ACTE Announces Virginia Executive Director as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2022
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Virginia Executive Director as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Brenda Dingus Long, Executive Director at Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education in Richmond, Virginia, as the 2022 ACTE Region II Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame. 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.
Dr. Brenda Dingus Long has devoted more than 49 years to education and especially Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the state and national levels. Upon graduating from Virginia Tech in 1973, she spent three years working with 4-H youth programs with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in Southwestern Virginia.
She began her public education teaching career in 1976 as a middle school Home Economics Education teacher and department chair for fifteen years with Tazewell County Public Schools, Virginia. In 1991, she was appointed as a high school assistant principal before moving to the central office level as Director of Career and Technical Education and Secondary Education. Following her 27-year tenure in Tazewell County, she became the Director of Career, Technical, Adult Education and Business Partnerships for Stafford County Public Schools, Virginia in 2001.
Her career was dedicated to expanding CTE and providing opportunities for students and staff to earn industry-recognized credentials. Expanding programs to address local, regional, and state workforce needs were critical goals.
As a member of her CTE professional associations for 46 years, Brenda has always been an advocate for educators to become members and participate in their CTE professional associations at the state, regional, and national levels. She held leadership positions in three CTE state associations and as a member of the ACTE Region II Policy Committee.
Long is one of four finalists for the 2023 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 November 30, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox 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.