ACTE Excellence Awards

The ACTE Excellence Awards recognize those members 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.

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Teacher of the Year Finalists

Jared Diephouse Jason Van Nus Chris Edgar Nickolas Lebo Dave Dein 
Jared Diephouse

Traverse City, MI
Region I

 Jason Van Nus

Valdosta, GA
Region II

 Chris Edgar

Camdenton, MO
Region III

 Nickolas Lebo

Austin, TX
Region IV

 Dave Dein

Patterson, CA
Region V

 

Postsecondary Professional of the Year Finalists

Kenneth Flowers Cheronie Blunt – Warner Robins, GA – Region II Thomas Brown – North Mankato, MN – Region III Jona Kay Squires – Wayne, OK – Region IV Jennifer Kline – Phoenix, AZ – Region V
Kenneth Flowers

Benton Harbor, MI
Region I

 Cheronie Blunt 

Warner Robins, GA
Region II 

 Thomas Brown 

North Mankato, MN
Region III 

 Jona Kay Squires

Wayne, OK
Region IV 

 Jennifer Kline

Phoenix, AZ
Region V 

 

Administrator of the Year Finalists

Lucas Schrauben – Holt, MI – Region I Rhonda Samples – Gainesville, GA – Region II Keith Olander – Staples, MN – Region III Brittney Williams – Baton Rouge, LA – Region IV Dave Gardner – Saint George, UT – Region V
Lucas Schrauben

Holt, MI
Region I 

 Rhonda Samples

Gainesville, GA
Region II 

 Keith Olander

Staples, MN
Region III 

 Brittney Williams

Baton Rouge, LA
Region IV 

 Dave Gardner

Saint George, UT
Region V 

 

New Teacher of the Year Finalists

Brielle Haupt – Brighton, MI – Region I Stephen Bergey – Woodstock, GA – Region II Emily Daniel – Nevada, MO – Region III Wyatt Gerth – Bartlesville, OK – Region IV Sarah Hubel – Stromsburg, NE – Region V
Brielle Haupt 

Brighton, MI
Region I 

 Stephen Bergey 

Woodstock, GA
Region II 

 Emily Daniel 

Nevada, MO
Region III 

 Wyatt Gerth 

Bartlesville, OK
Region IV 

 Sarah Hubel 

Stromsburg, NE
Region V 

 

Teacher Educator of the Year Finalists

Roger Hill Krystle Gremaud April Blackwell Scott Caldwell
Roger Hill 

Athens, GA
Region II 

 Krystle Gremaud 

Warrensburg, MO
Region III 

 April Blackwell

Afton, OK
Region IV 

 Scott Caldwell

Washoe County, NV
Region V 

 

Counseling and Career Development Professional Finalists

Vanita Wilson Shelley Kaler Paul Hayes Brandi Williams Greg Friedman
Vanita Wilson 

Flint, MI
Region I 

 Shelley Kaler

Pell City, AL
Region II 

 Paul Hayes 

Cedar Rapids, IA
Region III 

  

Brandi Williams 

Port Lavaca, TX
Region IV 

 Greg Friedman 

Merced, CA
Region V 

 

Lifetime Achievement Award Finalists

Brian Pyles Cynthia Greene Cindy Stover Mary Smith Melissa Scott
Brian Pyles

Lansing, MI
Region I

 Cynthia Greene 

Marietta, GA
Region II 

 Cindy Stover 

Lincoln, IL
Region III 

 Mary Smith 

Manila, AR
Region IV 

 Melissa Scott 

Carson City, NV
Region V 

 

Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award Finalists 

 Shannon Roberts Regina Birch Patricia Downing Troy Reichert
Shannon Roberts 

Maysville, KY
Region II

 Regina Birch 

Alton, IL
Region III 

 Patricia Downing 

Grants, NM
Region IV 

 Troy Reichart

Guernsey, WY
Region V 

The ACTE® Excellence Award 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. Watch a brief overview.

Learn More About the Eight Excellence Awards

Submit a Nomination

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.

View the Guidelines

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.

View the Guidelines

This award recognizes the finest career and technical professionals at the postsecondary level who have instructed and educated students involved in career and technical education pathways, demonstrated innovation in the classroom, and exhibited dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.

View the Guidelines

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.

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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.

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This award recognizes teacher educators, secondary or postsecondary, who are committed to preparing teachers to deliver high quality CTE programs, demonstrated innovation in teacher education, and leadership in improving CTE.

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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.

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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.

View the Guidelines