Career, technical teachers honored
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 10, 2015 1:50 AM
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Wayne County Public Schools announced two Career and Technical Education teachers of the year, for the middle and high school levels.
Ginger Holland, chairperson for the middle school Family and Consumer Sciences Education program in the district, was named CTE Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Steven Thorne, instructor for the Project Lead the Wayne Engineering Academy at Charles B. Aycock High School, is the CTE High School Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Holland, who is based at Eastern Wayne Middle School, serves as the elective grade chairperson, positive behavioral interventions and supports coordinator and the Junior Beta Club adviser. She is also part of the schoolwide curriculum enhancement period, where she teaches math.
Since receiving her bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Campbell University, she is in her 20th year as a family and consumer sciences education instructor. She began her teaching career in Lenoir County and joined WCPS in 1997, previously working at Charles B. Aycock and Grantham schools. In the 2009-10 school year, she was chosen teacher of the year at Grantham.
Eastern Wayne Principal Cathy Fulcher praised Mrs. Holland's contributions, calling her an asset to the school and a positive influence on staff and students.
"Mrs. Holland has such a pleasant demeanor and a positive relationship with all of her students and treats each child with respect," she said. "She is a very hard worker and teaches from bell to bell. She is always finding creative ways to capture the attention and interest of her students and engage them by using various activities when teaching her curriculum.
"Every year the students are eagerly ready to sign up for her classes."
Thorne has taught at his alma mater for 21 years, having graduated from CBA in 1987 and obtaining his bachelor's degree in industrial technology from East Carolina University.
He began his teaching career at Aycock in 1994 as a drafting instructor. He is the exclusive instructor at the Project Lead the Way Engineering Academy, which was established at the school during the 2007-08 school year. Project Lead the Way is considered the nation's leading provider of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, programs.
Officials said with the trending emphasis on STEM, his classes have become in "high demand," often prompting the school to hold a lottery drawing for classroom spots.
He serves as an adviser for the career and technical student organization, SkillsUSA, which prepares students for events and competitions at both the state and national levels. Thorne also advises the newly created Technology Student Association at the school, which provides leadership and opportunities for students in technology, innovation, design and engineering.
"Mr. Thorne's Project Lead the Way is recognized both inside the classroom and school, as well as within and outside of the community," school board member Eddie Radford said Monday night during the recognition. "The Hovercraft chair, PVC car, robots, solar panels and many other projects built by his students are a visible symbol of the creativeness that Mr. Thorne inspires in his many students.
"Mr. Thorne has taken many of these projects, along with his students, to high school and middle school career fairs, the Wayne County Agricultural Fair, Wayne School of Engineering and the Wayne County Board of Education."