FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Marlen Zarcone
mzarcone@acteonline.org
ACTE Announces Texas Teacher as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Nickolas Alan Lebo, Business Teacher at Austin ISD in Austin, TX as the 2025 ACTE Region IV 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.
Nick Lebo is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in education in Sport Management. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Kelsey, and they have three amazing children: Lyla, Lily, and Shepherd. Nick is entering his fourteenth year of teaching and coaching in Austin ISD. He is currently the CTE Department Chair, Business Teacher, and Head Golf Coach at Austin High.
Under his leadership, Austin High has launched practicum courses in Entrepreneurship, Culinary Arts, Engineering, IT, and most recently, Education. Nick coordinates all the internship programs and has built industry partnerships with over 100 local companies. He continuously sharpens his teaching practices by participating in AISD’s Leadership Pathways and is currently on track to become the school district’s first CTE National Board-Certified Teacher.
In addition to teaching, Nick sponsors Business Professionals of America, Rock the Street Wall Street, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He believes that education is his calling in life and that the role of a teacher is not only to educate students but to help prepare them for success after graduation—in their careers, at home, and as future leaders of their community.
Lebo is one of five finalists for the 2025 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 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, 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.
