2020-21 ProStart Educator of Excellence Award Virtual Celebration
With support of longtime Foundation partner Golden Corral, this virtual event celebrates the spirit of the James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award by recognizing all ProStart Educators for their unwavering support of ProStart this past year. Hear stories from current students and alumni, NRAEF leadership, and ProStart industry supporters. We’ll show our appreciation for educators by awarding incredible prizes, including gift cards to help them build out their ProStart classrooms.
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.
2020 Award Winners
EEA Classroom Expertise Award
Winner: David Groenewold, River Valley Technical Center, Vermont
EEA Best Practice & Knowledge Sharing Award
Winner: Elissa Oliver, Riverwood International Charter School, Georgia
EEA Industry Connections Award Winner:
Nick Brandler, San Dimas High School, California
EEA James H. Maynard Teacher Of The Year Award
Winner: Ann Taylor, Coronado High School, Nevada
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.
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 2020 ProStart Educators of Excellence State Awardees are:
Alaska
Brian Yim – Dimond High School
Arkansas
Audra Weeks – Bentonville Ignite
California
Nick Brandler – San Dimas High School
Colorado*
Hope Nazzaro – St. Vrain Career Development Center
Yvonne Justice – St. Vrain Career Development Center
Connecticut
Joshua Ogrodowski – Enfield High School
Delaware
Ricki Senn – Caesar Rodney High School
Florida
Carl Stanton – Marathon High School
Georgia
Elissa Oliver – Riverwood International Charter School
Iowa
LaRae Arment – Alburnett High School
Illinois
Matt Barker – Technology Center of DuPage
Indiana
Brad Luzadder –Heartland Career Center
Kansas
Jack Low – Eudora/Desoto Technical Education Center & High School
Kentucky
Elizabeth Crump – Jessamine Career and Technology Center
Louisiana
Wanda Lemoine – Red River High School
Massachusetts
Samantha Clarke –Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School
Michigan
Clint Frenette – Sanilac Career Center
Minnesota
Marissa Getty –Rogers High School
Missouri
Nora Hill – Park Hill School District
North Carolina
Ashley Whitesides – Cary High School
Nebraska
Joan Hines – Lincoln Southwest High School
New Hampshire
Victoria Garay – Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center
New Jersey
John Pollock – Trenton Central High School
New Mexico
Veronica Hunnicutt Garcia – Chaparral High School
Nevada
Ann Taylor – Coronado High School
New York
Andrew Ottati – Questar III: Rensselaer Educational Center
Ohio
Debra Bates – Lancaster High School
Oklahoma
Danny Morrison – Northeast Technology Center
Oregon
Macy Hagensee – Crook County High School
Pennsylvania*
John Picarello – Monroe Career & Technical Institute
Samantha Armstrong – Monroe Career & Technical Institute
Rhode Island
Marie-Claire McKillip – East Providence Career and Technical Center
South Carolina
Holly A. Bell – Enoree Career & Technical Center
South Dakota
Megan Jaquet – Brookings High School
Texas
Becky Salter – John Marshall High School
Utah
Diane Cluff – Provo High School
Virginia
Tara Roberts – Massanutten Technical Center
Vermont
David A. Groenewold – River Valley Technical Center
Wisconsin
Tara Bradford – Middleton High School
West Virginia
Stephen Martin – Cabell Midland High School
* These educators are co-teachers at their schools and are nominated together
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