Veteran CAT-North Teacher Named 2022 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year

A 14-year veteran teacher at the Center of Applied Technology – North has been named the 2022 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. 

According to a school system press release, Charles Whittaker is the first career technology education teacher to win the award since its inception in 1986.  He reportedly began teaching HVAC classes at the school after spending 30 years with Unilever Foods.  The announcement was made at the 36th annual Excellence in Education Awards, held at the Live! Event Center at Arundel Mills.

“I am truly humbled to be standing among all you dedicated professionals,” Whittaker, a graduate of Glen Burnie High School, told the crowd of more than 500 assembled for the event. “We all have the ability to educate, 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.”

As the Construction Department chair at CAT-North, Whittaker has facilitated collaborative planning sessions and worked to enhance new teacher training sessions at the school, the school system says.  The AACPS announcement said he has also created partnerships with local unions, apprenticeship programs, and other institutions to assist students in pursuing their passion and helped to create national standards for construction curriculum.

Mr.  Whittaker holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Baltimore, a master’s degree in business administration from Strayer University. He is pursuing National Board Certification as well as his master of divinity degree at Wesley Seminary.