Keffer selected as Duplin County Schools inaugural CTE Teacher of Excellence
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) recently launched its Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year program. The primary goal of the program is to honor and retain excellent CTE teachers in NC public schools. Each school district and charter school was invited to submit one nominee. Through a rigorous district portfolio and interview process, Mr. Corey Keffer, from East Duplin High School, has been selected as Duplin County Schools inaugural CTE Teacher of Excellence!
Photo from Duplin County Schools Website
Corey Keffer, East Duplin High School
Mr. Keffer is a 1997 graduate of East Duplin High School and a former EDHS Technology Student Association member. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina State University in December 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Education. Three weeks later, in January of 2002, he came back home to East Duplin and started his teaching career as Duplin County's only Technology Education teacher at the time.
Since his first semester with five students, the program has grown to include two teachers, five different course offerings, a very active TSA chapter, a name change from Technology Education to Technology, Engineering, and Design Education, and international recognition as a "Program of Excellence" by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
Principal Scott Ballard states, "Mr. Keffer's classes are highly engaging. On any given day, students can be found using the Engineering Design Process to create, test, and problem solve with topics such as robotics, bridge building, rocket science, and other interesting topics. Students enjoy his class and come away with skills that can be used across many disciplines."
Mr. Keffer says, “My goal as a TED teacher is to provide my students with needed 21st century STEAMA skills and get them excited about the technology in our world. Basically, engineers and designers take an idea, put it down on paper, and then make it a reality!”
In the next phase of the competition, each of the eight Regional Education Service Alliances will determine three finalists to narrow the list of nominees to 24 regional winners, who will attend a celebration and week of Teacher Professional Development at NCCAT’s Cullowhee campus in the fall. The state NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year will be announced on October 6, 2022.
Congratulations, Mr. Keffer, and best of luck throughout the remainder of the process. We have no doubt that you will represent Duplin County Schools exceptionally!
Congrats, as well, to our other school level nominees that are doing equally great things in their classrooms!
Artheresa Best - STEAMA 1.0
Ricky Smith - STEAMA 2.0
Darlene Quinn - James Kenan High School
Bert Wheeler - North Duplin Junior Senior
Samantha Outlaw - Wallace-Rose Hill High School
