CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jackie Anderson, a culinary teacher at Mason County Technical Center in Point Pleasant, has been named West Virginia’s 2011 ProStart Educator of Excellence.

Anderson will join other top educators in Chicago in May for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart Educator Excellence Awards ceremony, which recognizes an exceptional educator from every state who uses the ProStart program in his or her classroom.

“ProStart unites the industry and the classroom to create an unparalleled experience for students,” said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple. “Educators like Jackie Anderson are helping students make the transition from concept to practice as students advance their careers and education in the restaurant and foodservice industry.”

Anderson, a long-term ProStart teacher, previously taught occupational foodservice. Her students have gone on to successful careers in the industry and in post-secondary education. Many of her students competed in individual events in career technical student organizations, including Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and Skills USA, and went on to compete nationally. Anderson's teams in the Hospitality Cup consistently place in the top three in both the culinary and management events. 

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program that helps prepare high school students to become tomorrow's industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart's industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills through a curriculum that teachs all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry. The program reaches about 90,000 students nationwide, including about 1,350 students in West Virginia.

“Jackie Anderson embodies all that make ProStart educators successful – inspiration, leadership, collaboration – and is very deserving of this honor,” said  Donna Wilkes, state ProStart coordinator. “With her record of success, it is no wonder so many West Virginia career technical teachers consider Jackie a wonderful mentor in their own development in ProStart.”

For more information, visit ww.prostart.restaurant.org, or contact Donna Wilkes, ProStart coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education, at (304) 558-6321, or the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699. 

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