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.
On Sunday, May 8, 2022 at the National ProStart Invitational Awards Gala, the following national EEA awards were announced:
EEA James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award
Ben Rengstorf, Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Established over a decade ago as a tribute to Golden Corral’s founder, James Maynard, this 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 Classroom Expertise Award
Stephanie Kunkel, Jackson High School, Massillon, Ohio
EEA Best Practice & Knowledge Sharing Award
Dominic Hawkes, Lancaster County School District Career Center, Lancaster, South Carolina
EEA Industry Connections Award
Daniel Wagner, an educator at Greene County Career & Technology Center in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
2022 ProStart Educators of Excellence State Awardees
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.
Alabama
Doug Allen, Pelham High School, Pelham
Alaska
Paulette Ditzler, Chugiak High School, Eagle River
California
Stacy Chatfield, Fortuna Union High School, Arcata
Colorado
Chris Hill, Westminster High School, Westminster
Connecticut
Joshua Ogrodowski, Enfield High School, Enfield
Delaware
Christopher Shultz, Polytech High School, Harrington
Florida
Susan Dougherty, (Frank H.) Peterson Academy of Technology, Jacksonville
Georgia
Elissa Oliver, Riverwood International Charter School, Atlanta
Illinois
Thomas Dwyer, Oswego High School, Oswego
Indiana
Brian Mendenhall, Central Nine Career Center, Greenwood
Iowa
Andrea Kuhl, Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School, Sioux City
Louisiana
Allison Armand, Pearl River High School, Pearl River
Maryland
Sarah (Fran) Freeberg, Annapolis High School, Annapolis
Massachusetts
Samantha Clarke, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fairhaven
Maine
Chef Heidi Parent, Capital Area Technical Center, Augusta
Michigan
Clint Frenette, Sanilac Career Center, Peck
Minnesota
Ben Rengstorf, Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis
Missouri
Andrea O’Bannon, Normandy Schools Collaboratiave High School, St. Louis
Nebraska
Mallory Gregory, Milford Public Schools, Milford
Nevada
Michael Hadobas, Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas
New Hampshire
Keith Desjardin, Pinkerton Academy, Derry
New Jersey
Ron Ossi, Passaic County Technical Institute, Highland Lakes
New York
Andrew Ottati, Questar III: Rensselaer Educational Center, Troy
North Carolina
Lauren Reneau, South Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte
Ohio
Stephanie Kunkel, Jackson High School, Massillon
Pennsylvania
Daniel Wagner, Greene County Career & Technology Center, Waynesburg
Rhode Island
Sara Reilly, Chariho Career & Technical Center, Wood River Junction
South Carolina
Dominic Hawkes, Lancaster County School District Career Center, Lancaster
South Dakota
Janelle Whempner, Sioux Falls Career and Technical Education Academy, Sioux Falls
Utah
Candace Wilson, Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs
Vermont
David Groenewold, River Valley Technical Center, Springfield
Virginia
Ronald J. Evans, Potomac High School, Dumfries
West Virginia
Brian Covell, Monongalia Technical Education Center, Morgantown
Wisconsin
Jamie Lutz, Badger High School, Kenosha