The Association for Career and Technical Education has named Shelley Kaler, Career Coach at Pell City School System as the 2025 National ACTE Counseling and Career Development Professional Award winner. 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. The Counseling and Career Development Professional Award is sponsored by The U.S. Army.

According to the organization, Kaler is a dedicated educator with more than two decades of service to students. Her journey in education began at Jacksonville State University, where she discovered her passion for helping students succeed while working as a student assistant in the Office of the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. Her commitment deepened during her tenure in the Office of Admissions, where she spent more than ten years recruiting students across the southeastern United States.

In 2016, Kaler transitioned to a new role as a career counselor, becoming the Career Coach for Pell City High School, the Alabama School for the Blind, and the Alabama School for the Deaf. Today, she focuses exclusively on Pell City Schools, where she connects students with invaluable opportunities such as field trips, campus tours, guest speakers, mentorships, and networking events. Among her many initiatives are mock interviews for juniors and seniors, military performance labs and job fairs—all designed to prepare students for success in their future careers.

Kaler’s passion for healthcare career pathways led her to partner with Enhabit Hospice to create a volunteer program for her HOSA students. Her involvement goes beyond coordination — she volunteers alongside her students, assisting with administrative tasks during the week and visiting patients on weekends. This hands-on experience has been transformative for her students, helping them build critical skills and confidence as they prepare for healthcare careers.

Known affectionately by her students as the “School Mom,” Kaler is a steadfast advocate for stepping outside one’s comfort zone to embrace new opportunities. Her dedication extends to her church, Rushing Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Talladega County, where she serves on several committees and as the church custodian.

Kaler resides in Lincoln with her husband of 18 years. She inspires her students with the motto, “Today I will do what others WON’T so that tomorrow I can do what others CAN’T,” and she often shares her favorite Benjamin Franklin quote: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Through her tireless efforts, Kaler has made a lasting impact on countless students, empowering them to achieve their fullest potential and demonstrating the transformative power of Career and Technical Education.

Kaler was one of five finalists for the 2025 national title. The national winner was announced at the Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country, Dec. 4, at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2024. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The U.S. Army, McGraw Hill and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit the organization’s webpage.