2020 ACTE Administrator of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2019
Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312
ACTE Announces Kentucky Associate Commissioner as 2020 National Winner
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Laura Arnold, Director of Workforce Development for Nelson County Schools in Bardstown, Kentucky, as the 2020 ACTE 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. The Administrator of the Year Award is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox.
Arnold is currently completing her 20th year in education. She began her career as a middle school family and consumer sciences teacher and FCCLA advisor. During her teaching career she became involved in KACTE serving as regional president with KATFACS. While teaching she completed her administrative certification. After six years of teaching, she transitioned to a principal position at a regional technology center where she served almost six years.
During her time at the regional center, she made connections with leadership at the state education agency where she had the opportunity to take a position as a curriculum branch manager for career and technical education. In this role, she led various curriculum efforts for all CTE programs across the state. After nearly a year in this position, she was offered a position where she would oversee and guide the 53 state operated area technology centers throughout Kentucky as the Director over the Division of Technical Schools.
In the fall of 2015, Arnold became the acting Associate Commissioner of CTE, and in 2016 Arnold was appointed the full-time Associate Commissioner of CTE. She served in this role for almost three years. During her tenure, Kentucky was selected as one of 10 New Skills for Youth states in addition to leading work around transition readiness for Kentucky with the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Currently, she serves as the Director of Workforce Development in Nelson County Schools. Arnold leads CTE initiatives with the district in addition to creating community centered partnerships throughout the region.
“As a proud sponsor of the ACTE Excellence Awards, Goodheart-Willcox is excited to honor the 2020 recipients and recognize their outstanding achievements,” said Todd Scheffers, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Goodheart-Willcox. “This partnership with ACTE reinforces our longstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and the workplace. Thank you to all of the finalists for sharing your talents and leadership with students across the nation. Together, we build careers.”
Arnold was one of five finalists for the 2020 national title. The national winner was announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event took place on Wednesday evening, December 4, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, eDynamic Learning 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.
