Technology educator named Anne Arundel County’s top teacher – Capital Gazette
A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning teacher from the Center for Applied Technology — North who switched careers was named the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Tuesday evening.
Charles Whittaker has taught at CAT North for 14 years, after working 30 years for Unilever Foods, according to a news release from AACPS. Whittaker has a master’s degree in business administration and is pursuing his divinity degree at Wesley Seminary, the school system said.
He is a graduate of Glen Burnie High School. AACPS said Whittaker is the first career and technology education teacher to be named Teacher of the Year since the award;s inception in 1987.
“We all have the ability to educate, empower, encourage and embolden our kids for every challenge that comes their way with wisdom and authority. We have what it takes to move students to careers they never aspired to,” Whittaker said Tuesday.
He spoke during the 36th annual Excellence in Education Awards, held Tuesday at the event center at Maryland Live! Casino.
Whittaker has forged partnerships with local unions and apprenticeship programs to help students with their careers, the school system said.
Whittaker was nominated by the school’s principal, Joe Rose.
“Mr. Whittaker demonstrates unconditional love and relentless pursuit of perfection for all of his students, the HVAC industry, and the business community,” Rose wrote. “He not only investigates opportunities for himself, but through his selfless leadership he always looks to serve others.”
Finalists for AACPS Teacher of the Year included Lacie Harold of Arundel Middle School, Nafeesah Marcellus of Brock Bridge Elementary School, Jennifer Lowe of Crofton High School, and Molly Stavely of Glen Burnie High School.
Katie Hansen of Annapolis Area Christian School was named Independent Schools Teacher of the Year.
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