Carrie Hamilton, Apollo Career Center Culinary Arts Instructor, will receive the ProStart  Teacher of Excellence Award, Wednesday, May, 16 in Columbus.

Hamilton is being recognized for being an outstanding Ohio ProStart teacher who has made a significant contribution to the Ohio ProStart program, their school, and community. Hamilton was also recognized in Chicago May 6, with 46 other teachers (one from each state) who received their state award. One culinary teacher across the state receives this award and it is voted on by other teachers, as well as Ohio Restaurant Association staff.

Candidates must be an Ohio ProStart certified teacher, have students that participate in the state ProStart competition, be a member of the Ohio Restaurant Association, attend the Ohio ProStart Teacher’s Workshop, and have their students involved in all aspects of the Ohio ProStart program (curriculum, competing, working, testing and obtaining certifications). There are 78 teachers, 56 schools and 2100 students involved in ProStart.

The ProStart Teacher of Excellence Award recognizes exceptional teachers who use the ProStart restaurant and foodservice industry career development program in their classrooms.  The educator honored with this award has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the ProStart program and has extended the program's curriculum by motivating the students to participate in internships and by using guest speakers, field trips and additional opportunities within the industry to make the program more meaningful for the students.

Chef Hamilton has been with Apollo for 12 years. In that time she has grown the program to a high-level, certified, and recognized program, regionally and state-wide. 

Hamilton has a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Supervision, and is a certified National Restaurant Association and Secondary Food Service Instructor.