2022 National Magnet Teacher of the Year

CLINTON MCCRACKEN

Howard Middle School
Orange County Public Schools
Orlando, Florida

Clinton McCracken’s experience with art led him into this role because studying art was his pathway out of poverty and to higher education. He became a teacher because he is passionate about art and the difference it can make in students’ lives. McCracken also loves the energy of middle school students and how ready they are to soak in new information and ideas. 

He says his greatest contributions as a magnet teacher have been at the individual student level. McCracken works hard to build strong relationships and a positive classroom community creating a space for students to take risks with their art. “I think students would say my art room is a calming haven. I live for the moments where I can help students create an artwork they worked hard on and are beaming with pride when they see it displayed for their peers or in an exhibit,” he said.

Congratulations to our 2022 Regional Teachers of the Year!

REGION I

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia

2020 National Magnet Teacher of the Year

MEGAN HEITKAMP

Salk Middle School
ISD 728
Elk River, Minnesota

Megan Heitkamp says becoming a teacher was not a linear progression; it was not something she had dreamed of doing since she was a young student. However, she does feel she was destined to be a teacher, to be a shaper of skills and to be a supporter of students overcoming challenges in and out of class. “I have a bias toward helping, and this factor has a positive influence over my journey,” she says.

As a magnet teacher, Heitkamp has focused on both the small steps within classrooms that build into the giant leaps toward systemic school culture changes. She is in a unique position teaching 7th grade students, and being the curriculum coordinator for the school’s magnet program. Because of this diverse role, she can concentrate on things that impact the students in her classroom, and zero in on helping teachers improve their work in regards to the magnet theme and the five pillars of magnet programming.

Heitkamp believes that teaching should be inquiry-based, authentically connected to the learners, and should help learners examine new perspectives with curiosity, not judgement. As she says, “It is my hope that learners participate in discussions about scientific and environmental issues as they begin to craft their own scientific values that will impact their decision-making. Learners need to be able to understand the results at doctor’s appointments, grasp the weather report in the media, and weigh the pros and cons of local and global environmental initiatives that have long-lasting impacts. Encouraging a deep scientific literacy is at the heart of my teaching philosophy.”

Congratulations to our 2020 Regional Teachers of the Year!

REGION I

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia

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REGION II

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific

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REGION III

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

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REGION IV

Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, International

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REGION V

Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

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REGION VI

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

2019 National Magnet Teacher of the Year

2019 Teacher of the Year. Walter Carter

WALTER CARTER

Milford Mill Academy
Baltimore County Public Schools
Baltimore, Maryland

Mr. Walter Carter, automotive services teacher at Milford Mill Academy, distinguishes himself as an automotive professional with a large and ongoing body of knowledge in automotive education.

Mr. Carter has taken his lifetime love and involvement in automotive service to develop a program to expand his students’ knowledge and skills. He has developed relationships with the business community and coordinated internships and externships for the automotive students.

Carter, an ASE certified technician since 1985, has been teaching for 12 years, all of them at Milford Mill Academy. From 2008 – 2014, he served on Maryland’s curriculum writing committee for automotive technology. He is a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certified automotive educator and was selected as the school’s own 2019 Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to our 2019 Regional Teachers of-the-Year:

REGION I

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

REGION II

Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia and International

REGION III

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

REGION IV

Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

REGION V

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

REGION VI

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin

REGION VII

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific

2018 National Magnet Teacher of the Year

DR. APRIL GUENZLER

Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary
Wake County Public School System
Raleigh, North Carolina

Dr. April Guenzler has been a classroom teacher in North Carolina for 17 years. She became a National Board certified teacher in 2014 and graduated with an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University in May of 2016. Dr. Guenzler loves working with families and their communities and is passionate about integrated curriculum. She has been a part of her school since the conception of its magnet program and her teaching philosophy clearly aligns with the Paideia principles, which provide the foundation for Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary. She believes that learning occurs when students are actively engaged in hands-on authentic experiences and she has facilitated professional development on Paideia Principles, Responsive Classroom, museums approaches to learning, the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI), and curriculum unit design.

She is also a mentor at her school and works weekly with new teachers (during their first three years of initial licensure) to develop their capacity in teaching. Most recently she was invited by Gardner-Webb faculty to become involved with the Urban Educators Leadership Collaborative (UELC) through Teachers College at Columbia University, NY.

Congratulations to our 2018 Regional Teachers of-the-Year:

REGION I

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

JENNIFER DOWKER

Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School
Theme(s): Performing and Visual Arts
Grade(s): K-5
New London Public Schools
New London, Connecticut

REGION II

Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia and International

SUSAN ELLERBEE

Randallstown High School
Theme(s): Biomedical Technology and Mass Communication, Academy of Health Professions
Grade(s): 11-12
Baltimore County Public Schools
Randallstown, Maryland

REGION III

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

DALE ADAMSON

Howard D. McMillan Middle School
Theme(s): Medical and Health Sciences, Robotics Engineering and Technology
Grade(s): 6-8
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami, Florida

REGION IV

Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

APRIL GUENZLER

Brooks Magnet Elementary School
Theme(s): Museums
Grade(s): K-5
Wake County Public School System
Cary, North Carolina

REGION V

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

JOHN HAYMAN

Southeast Middle School
Theme(s): Digital Arts and Technology
Grade(s): 6-8
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

REGION VI

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

MARGARET KOREMAN

Franklin Fine Arts Center
Theme(s): Fine Arts
Grade(s): K-8
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, Illinois

REGION VII

Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

SHANNON RAINS

McLean Science & Technology Magnet
Theme(s): Science and Technology
Grade(s): K-5
Wichita Public Schools
Wichita, Kansas

REGION VIII

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific

MEGAN FRANKE

Las Vegas Academy
Theme(s): The Arts
Grade(s): 9-12
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada