Anne Arundel County Educator Is Finalist For MD Teacher Of Year

SEVERN, MD — An Anne Arundel County educator is a finalist for the Maryland Teacher of the Year honor.

The nominee, Charles Whittaker, has taught in Anne Arundel County Public Schools for 14 years. He is the construction department chair at the Center of Applied Technology–North. The Severn trade school is also known as CAT-North.

Whittaker said he is honored to be one of seven finalists for the award.

"The faith that parents and the community have in teachers to train future generations is what keeps us striving to ensure we are reaching every student," Whittaker said in a Sept. 6 press release. "It is my reason for teaching. I am led by the Chinese Proverb, 'If you want happiness for a lifetime, help the next generation.'"

Whittaker was named the Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year in April. Officials applauded his hands-on approach to education.

Some of Whittaker's achievements include:

• Enhancing training sessions for new teachers
• Creating partnerships with unions and apprenticeship programs
• Helping craft national standards for construction curriculum

Whittaker is currently pursuing National Board Certification, which is an advanced teaching credential that exceeds a state license.

The Glen Burnie High School graduate earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Baltimore and a master's degree in business administration from Strayer University. As of April, he was also working toward a master of divinity degree at Wesley Seminary.

Whittaker changed careers and started teaching HVAC classes at CAT-North after spending 30 years with Unilever Foods. He is the first career technology education teacher to win the county teacher of the year award since it was created in the 1986-87 school year.

Two of the last five Maryland Teachers of the Year came from AACPS.

Teresa Beilstein of South Shore Elementary School took home the honor in 2020. Josh Carroll of South River High School earned the award in 2018.

This year's six other finalists are:

• Berol Dewdney of Baltimore City
• Alicia Amaral Freeman of Baltimore County
• Jonathan Kurtz of Frederick County
• Ashley Gereli of Harford County
• Elizabeth McDonald of Washington County
• Rebecca Mathews of Wicomico County

State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury will announce the 2022 winner on Oct. 6 on Maryland Public Television.

Related: AACPS Announces 2022 Teacher Of Year, Cheers Educator For 14 Years In Classroom