NOCTI Awards & Recognition
Recognizing Excellence, Leadership, and Impact
NOCTI is committed to celebrating the educators, leaders, and advocates who strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) and create opportunities for learners to succeed. Through the C. Thomas Olivo Award and the Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Awards, we honor individuals whose dedication, service, and professional growth continue to advance the CTE community.
Whether you are applying yourself or nominating a deserving individual, we invite you to explore the award opportunities below.
Award Types
C. Thomas Olivo Award
Established in honor of C.Thomas Olivo and his commitment to CTE, this award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to advancing the CTE community.
Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Awards
Established in memory of Dr. Carl J. Schaefer, a nationally recognized CTE educator, author, and one of NOCTI’s founders, these awards recognize individuals who demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning in CTE.
Award Details
C. Thomas Olivo Award
The C. Thomas Olivo Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions have made a meaningful impact on CTE. This award honors those who exemplify dedication to the advancement of CTE and the success of learners, educators, and workforce development initiatives.
Ideal Candidates
- CTE leaders and advocates
- Educators making a significant impact
- Professionals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the CTE community
Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Awards
Dr. Carl J. Schaefer was a nationally recognized CTE educator, author, and one of NOCTI’s founding leaders. In honor of his legacy and lifelong commitment to CTE, NOCTI and Mrs. JoAnn Schaefer established the Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Awards to recognize excellence in the field and support the next generation of CTE professionals. Each year, the awards honor one outstanding CTE Teacher and one CTE Teacher Candidate who demonstrate a commitment to advancing CTE through professional growth, leadership, and continued learning.
Award Categories
CTE Teacher- Recognizes certified CTE educators actively pursuing continued professional development, advanced education, certifications, or other opportunities that enhance their impact in the classroom.
CTE Teacher Candidate- Recognizes individuals currently teaching CTE courses who are pursuing teacher credentials, licensure, certifications, or other professional development opportunities while bringing valuable workforce experience to learners.
Important Dates
Application/Nomination Deadline: September 18, 2026
Recipients Notified: October 2026
Questions?
Contact Lisa Brauher at lisa.brauher@nocti.org or 800.334.6283 ext. 258.