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 July 12, 2023, at the EEA Awards Dinner during the ProStart Professional Development program, the following national EEA awards were announced:
EEA James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award
Patrick Phelan, St. Charles Satellite Center, Luling, Louisiana
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
Christopher Bates, Wekiva High School, Apopka, Florida
EEA Best Practice & Knowledge Sharing Award
Roger Ramsey, Hardin County School’s Early College and Career Center, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
EEA Industry Connections Award
Deb Rombough, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, South Dakota
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.
Alaska
Rebecca Giedosh-Ruge, Mat-Su Career & Tech High School, Wasilla
California
Imogen Erickson, Pacific Grove High School, Pacific Grove
Colorado
Heather Carnes, ThunderRidge High School, Highlands Ranch
Connecticut
Nathaniel Bradshaw, Wilbur Cross High School, New Haven
Delaware
Kirk Clemens, Howard High School of Technology, Bear
Georgia
James Bryant, Berkmar High School, Lawrenceville
Illinois
Kyle Neuner, TCU DuPage, Addison
Indiana
Andrea Yount, Walker Career Center, Indianapolis
Iowa
Rolando Molina, Norwalk High School, Ankeny
Kansas
Bill Loudermilk, Wichita East High School, Wichita
Maryland
Lorna Browne, Howard High School, Ellicott City
Massachusetts
Carly Capraro, Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Pelham
Michigan
Jill Snyder, Golightly Career and Technical Center – Detroit Public Schools, Detroit
Minnesota
Kelly Delacruz, NRHEG High School, New Richland
Mississippi
Catherine Bruce, Clinton High School, Clinton
Missouri
Rachel Mitchell, Staley High School – North Kansas City School District, Kansas City
Nebraska
Hannah Liptac, Scottsbluff High School, Scottsbluff
Nevada
Jenny Crist, Centennial High School, North Las Vegas
New Hampshire
Patricia Rollins, Plymouth Regional High School, Plymouth
New Jersey
Anabela Bernardino, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, Newark
New Mexico
Kevin Zink, Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
New York
Kendell Brenner, Rockland BOCES Career & Technical Education Center, New City
North Carolina
Sara Monson, Asheville High School, Canton
Ohio
Mark Mitrovich, Centerville High School, Centerville
Pennsylvania
Brian Peffley, Lebanon County Career & Technology Center, Lebanon
South Carolina
Kimberly Bush, South Aiken High School, Aiken
Texas
Tyler Osburn, Waller High School, Waller
Utah
Ken Gray, Murray High School, Murray
Vermont
Trace Heidenreich, River Bend Career & Technical Center, Bradford
Virginia
Lee DeMatteo, Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center, Spotsylvania
West Virginia
Liljon McCormick, Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, Grantsville
Wisconsin
Jenny Wehmeier, Elkhorn Area High School, Elkhorn
Wyoming
Kallie Poncelow, Laramie High School, Laramie
2023 Awards Reception
