ACTE Excellence Awards
The ACTE Excellence Awards recognize those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to CTE, programs that exemplify the highest standards and organizations that have conducted activities to promote and expand CTE programs. Award winners serve as inspirational leaders to ACTE: they embody the core values of serving their students and being committed to CTE. All ACTE Excellence Awards are presented at the ACTE Awards Gala in conjunction with ACTE’s CareerTech VISION.
Administrator of the Year Finalists
Dr. Denise Fernandez-Pallozzi
Region I
Dave Rockers
Region III
Wendy Suzanne Kelly
Region IV
Shani Watkins
Region V
Carl Perkins Community Service Award Finalists
Sara Plozay
Region I
Jeff Maierhofer
Region III
Tammy Balliet
Region IV
Richard McPherson
Region V
Career Guidance Award Finalists
Lisa Miller
Region III
Heather Webb
Region V
Lifetime Achievement Award Finalists
Frank Yesalavich
Region I
Robert Arthur-Fleming Lowe
Region III
Saundra Castillo
Region IV
John Mulcahy
Region V
Postsecondary Teacher of the Year Finalists
Sarah LaRose
Region III
Matt Shannon
Region IV
Ben Hamlett
Region V
New Teacher of the Year Finalists
Elizabeth Wise
Region I
Breanne Brammer
Region III
Tiauna Young
Region IV
Miranda Bright
Region V
Teacher of the Year Finalists
John Lockhart
Region I
Luke Becker
Region III
Sherri Gleaves
Region IV
Laura Miller
Region V
Teacher Educator of the Year Finalists
Nick Beykirch
Region I
Dr. Brad Greiman
Region III
Sheri Deaton
Region IV
Natalie Hancock
Region V
The ACTE® Excellence Awards recognize excellence and dedication within the field of career and technical education among ACTE members. Recipients of these awards are exceptional individuals who have contributed to the success of CTE through the quality of their work and their involvement in the CTE community. Candidates and winners are recognized at three levels: state, regional, and national. As of 2017, the Excellence Awards program has been integrated with ACTE’s High Quality CTE Framework. New nominations will follow updated guidelines, which can be found below.
All Excellence Awards are administered by the ACTE Awards Committee, which comprises one representative from each of ACTE’s five Regions and a chair. The Awards Committee is responsible for recommending awards programs to the Association’s Board of Directors, setting criteria for awards, reviewing applications, recommending award recipients to the Board and overseeing all aspects of the recognition program for award winners. Applications for the ACTE Excellence Awards are accepted online via the ACTE Awards Portal.
There are eight (8) Excellence Awards:
Teacher of the Year
| This award recognizes the finest career and technical 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. |
Administrator of the Year
| This award recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, state or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs. |
Postsecondary Teacher of the Year
| This award recognizes the finest career and technical teachers at the postsecondary level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities. |
Counseling & Career Development Professional Award
| This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for CTE as a viable option for all students. |
New Teacher of the Year
| This award recognizes new CTE teachers who have made significant contributions toward innovative and unique career and technical education programs and shown a professional commitment early in their careers. |
Teacher Educator of the Year
| 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. |
Carl Perkins Community Service Award
| This award recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service. |
Lifetime Achievement Award
| 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 of time. |