Cropper named 2025 James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year during National ProStart Invitational

Baltimore, MD – May 5, 2025 – Chef Phillip Cropper, a high school culinary instructor at Worcester High School in Newark, Maryland, has been named as the 2025 James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The award was presented on May 4 in Baltimore, Md., during the 2025 National ProStart Invitational. Chef Cropper was recognized for his innovative approach to teaching and equipping students with culinary knowledge through the ProStart® program.

ProStart is the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation nationwide career and technical education program that has equipped more than 1 million high school students with career-ready culinary and restaurant management skills. More than an elective, the program is designed to equip students with restaurant-specific certifications and competencies, over 400 hours of practical work experience, and access to restaurant and hospitality apprenticeship and scholarship opportunities. Students complete the ProStart program ready to join a professional kitchen or advance to higher education. Today, the program reaches 222,000 students at 2,200 schools – including 6,200 Maryland students at 71 high schools.

Chef Cropper’s work is marked by mentorship and a commitment to helping them prepare for future careers in the restaurant industry. By incorporating industry standards and nationally recognized certifications into his classroom, Chef Cropper aims to equip his students with real-world skill development and experience. His innovative teaching strategies have included the creation of a student-run teaching café – called “The Pines” – as well as community outreach initiatives and sustainable hydroponic gardening to supply herbs and produce for his kitchen classroom.

“Chef Phillip Cropper epitomizes the dedicated work of a ProStart educator, creating a personal and innovative experience for students that empowers them with in-depth understanding of culinary arts and the restaurant industry,” said Rob Gifford, president of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. “His investment in young people is exceptional and we’re honored to recognize him with this award.”

With support from Golden Corral, the James H. Maynard Teacher of the year award is part of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart Educator of Excellence fellowship program, which highlights the program’s top educators who demonstrate classroom excellence and an unparalleled commitment to helping their students make the most of ProStart’s opportunities.

About ProStart®

ProStart®, a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program uniting the classroom and restaurant industry, reaches nearly 222,000 students at almost 2,200 high schools throughout all states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents, while teaching employability skills like teamwork, professional behavior, time management and communication.

About The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) 

As the supporting philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF’s charitable mission includes enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development, and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower, and Advance today and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready/HOPES – Partnering with community based organizations to provide people with skills training and job opportunities; Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) – accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. Click here for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s 2024 Annual Impact Report.

CONTACT:

Hannah Oliver
holiver@nraef.org