The Association for Career and Technical Education Work-Based Learning Division honored King George County Public Schools CTE Specialist Terri Rinko at its conference in Providence, Rhode Island recently.
ACTE announced that Rinko is one of two nationwide recipients of the 2026 YouScience Brightpath Work-Based Learning Professional of the Year Award.
Rinko and Stephen Casa of Ulster BOCES in New York earned the recognition. The award recognizes exceptional professionals who are advancing high-quality work-based learning through leadership, innovation, student impact, advocacy, and collaboration with business and community partners.
“Terri and Stephen represent the kind of leadership the future of work-based learning demands,” ACTE Work-Based Learning Awards Chair Kristy Volesky stated in a press release. “Their work goes far beyond coordinating experiences. They are building systems, expanding opportunities for students, strengthening partnerships, and helping move the field forward nationally. Both are deeply respected leaders whose impact can be felt not only within their own communities, but across the broader work-based learning landscape.”
