The NRAEF ProStart National Educator of Excellence Awards (EEA) recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program to help their students make the most of the opportunities that ProStart offers. Their stories inspire ProStart educators and supporters across the globe.
New with 2019, the NRAEF’s ProStart Educators of Excellence Awards, was held in conjunction with the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 10th in Washington, DC. Three select educators were recognized in the categories of Classroom Expertise, Best Practice and Knowledge Sharing, and Industry Connections. The winner from each category receives $3,500 for their achievement. Watch our video tribute and read about this years award winners below.
EEA Classroom Expertise Award Winner, Ashley Kurth of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
EEA Best Practice & Knowledge Sharing Awardee, Brian Greene of Bi-County Culinary Arts
EEA Industry Connections Award Winner, Jody Fowler of Liberty North High School
With support from Golden Corral, a proud sponsor of the EEA Awards, the NRAEF announced the recipient of the James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award at EEA. Established over a decade ago as a tribute to Golden Corral’s founder, James Maynard, the award honors one EEA winner for their tireless dedication to providing remarkable experiences to their ProStart students. The annual honoree receives a gift of $10,000.
EEA James H. Maynard Teacher Of The Year Award Winner, Mary Beth Brace of Bergen County Academies
Each participating state restaurant association nominates its leading educator who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his or her students and to the ProStart Program.
The 2019 ProStart Educators of Excellence State Awardees are:
Alabama
Barbara Bonner/Fort Payne High School
Alaska
Paulette Ditzler/Chugiak High School
Arizona
Patti Pastor/Flagstaff High School
Arkansas
Jennifer Park/Conway High School
California
Brian Murphy/San Diego High School
Colorado
Jessica DiLullo and Ellen Heumann /Adams City High School
Connecticut
Nathanial Bradshaw/Wilbur Cross High School
Delaware
Scott Cave/Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School
Florida
Ashley Kurth/Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Georgia
Amanda Williams/ Maxwell High School of Technology
Illinois
Samantha Kramer/ Benito Juarez Community Academy
Indiana
Brian Greene/Bi-County Culinary Arts
Iowa
Jane Hoegh/Hampton-Dumont High School
Kansas
Cara Poole/Maize High School
Louisiana
Elena Hodges/Chalmette High School
Maryland
Andre Williams/Bladensburg High School
Massachusetts
Tonia Larkins/Madison Park Vocational High School
Michigan
Kharen Warfield Shelton/Kalamazoo RESA Culinary Arts –EFE
Minnesota
Matthew Deutsch/Burnsville High School
Missouri
Jody Fowler/Liberty North High School
Montana
Haley Barker/Laurel High School
Nebraska
Maybell Galusha/The Career Academy
New Hampshire
Michael Levin/Milford High School & Applied Tech. Center
New Jersey
Mary Beth Brace/Bergen County Academies
New Mexico
Anthony Izaak Sapien/Gadsen High School
New York
Julie Harrington/Finger Lakes Technical and Career Center
North Carolina
Robyn Stafford/Croatan High School
Ohio
Seth Weibel/Pioneer Career & Technology Center
Oregon
Laura Hofer/South Salem High School
Pennsylvania
Christie Parks/Central Westmoreland Career & Tech. Center
Rhode Island
William Walker/East Providence Career & Technical Center
South Carolina
AnDrea C. Baumberger/Ninety Six High School
South Dakota
LaKisha Jordan/T.F. Riggs High School
Texas
Kandice Norrid/Tascosa High School
Utah
Shelly Mendenhall/Desert Hills High School
Vermont
Jaime-Lyn Schmidt/Southwest Vermont Career Development Center
Virginia
Laura Norris/Pulaski County High School
West Virginia
Teresa Mullen/Pocahontas County High School
Wisconsin
Ryan Demers/Pewaukee High School