Tony Huff, Director of Student Services, was named the national recipient of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) CTE for All Division: Outstanding Contributions in CTE for All Award. The award honors educators and leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication to expanding access, inclusion, and opportunity for all students in Career and Technical Education.
Huff was recognized during the 2025 ACTE Vision Conference for his visionary leadership in transition education and his unwavering commitment to students with disabilities. His career has been defined by a passion for ensuring that every learner, regardless of background or ability, can discover purpose, gain independence, and achieve meaningful employment.
Under Huff’s leadership, Butler Tech has become a national model for inclusive education through its Project LIFE and Project SEARCH programs. What began as a single-site initiative in Butler County has evolved into a globally replicated model, now serving students across more than a dozen states, as well as internationally. These programs provide authentic work-based learning experiences and life skills training that prepare students with disabilities for success in the workforce and beyond.
“Tony Huff has dedicated his career to ensuring that all learners, especially students with disabilities, have equitable access to high-quality career and technical education,” said Dr. William Sprankles, Superintendent of Butler Tech.
Huff’s impact reaches far beyond Butler Tech’s campuses. He has guided the replication of Project LIFE across the United States and internationally, mentoring new program leaders, collaborating with partner districts, and presenting at state and national conferences to share best practices in inclusion, compliance, and workforce readiness. His work continues to inspire educators and administrators to reimagine what is possible for all learners through CTE.
“Tony’s leadership has transformed Project LIFE from a single local initiative into a nationally replicated model for inclusive education,” said Michelle Bumgarner, Butler Tech Project LIFE Replication Specialist. “His deep passion for ensuring that students with disabilities are valued and fully included in career and technical education has inspired a generation of educators and reshaped how CTE serves diverse learners.”
Colleagues across the country echoed similar sentiments, describing Huff as a mentor, advocate, and champion of inclusive CTE whose work “has opened doors of opportunity for learners across more than a dozen states and beyond.”
The Outstanding Contributions in CTE for All Award recognizes a current ACTE member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing CTE for all students, with a particular focus on special populations and equitable access supported by Perkins funding.
Huff credits his success to the collaborative spirit of his team and its unwavering commitment to transforming lives. “This recognition reflects the work of an incredible team that truly believes in every student’s potential,” he shared. “Together, we’ve built programs that give students the confidence and tools to step into their futures with purpose.”
