Congratulations to the 2024-2025 CTE Teacher of the Year Finalists
For the fourth year, North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) is going to recognize a NC State CTE Teacher of the Year. To begin to get a list of deserving teachers in UCPS, each high school and middle school had an opportunity to select a CTE Teacher of the Year nominee. Much like the UCPS Teacher of the Year process, each of these individuals were given an opportunity to submit a portfolio to be reviewed. Using the portfolio responses, five finalists have been selected, out of which one will be named the UCPS CTE Teacher of the Year this spring. The winner will be submitted to compete at the state level. Congratulations to all those nominated by their schools and to the five finalists listed below:
- Marlowe Newsome – Family and Consumer Science Teacher – Porter Ridge High School – 8 Years of Experience
Ms. Newsome graduated from Wingate University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. She is currently in her ninth year of teaching and teaches at Porter Ridge High School. She teaches Teaching as a Profession Academy classes (Next Stop TeachUCPS) and Child Development. She began her teaching career at Union Elementary and has taught elementary school, was a Master Teacher, and a Literacy Teacher Specialist. In 2023, Ms. Newsome joined the Porter Ridge High School Teaching staff as they added the Teaching as a Profession Academy to their school. From an early age Marlowe knew she wanted to be a teacher, and nothing else. Today, she is excited to share her love of teaching with students. Mark Van Doren said “The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery” and Ms. Newsome is proud to assist students in the discovery of the teaching profession through her classes.
- Michael Medlin – Trades & Industrial Education Teacher – Parkwood High School – 14 Years of Experience
Mr. Medlin is the HVAC/Carpentry teacher at Parkwood High School where he has been teaching for 14 years. Mr. Medlin focuses on giving students usable life skills in a setting that promotes individuality and responsibility for one’s own actions. He believes that his role involves teaching technical skills, and supporting students’ social /emotional needs. Mr. Medlin is particularly proud of the successes many of his students have had in the construction industry after they leave Parkwood.
- Kevin Kitchen – Trades & Industrial Education Teacher – Monroe High School – 13 Years of Experience
Kevin Kitchen began his electrical career in 1987 as an apprentice, advancing to roles such as journeyman electrician, foreman, superintendent, project manager, and estimator. He holds North Carolina limited and unlimited electrical contractor licenses, a Level 3 certification as a state electrical inspector, and an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical/Electronic Technology from Central Piedmont Community College. After a successful career in the field, Mr. Kitchen transitioned to teaching to share his passion for electrical work with the next generation. For the past 13 years, he has been a CTE instructor at Monroe High School, focusing on building students’ confidence and preparing them for success in college, apprenticeships, or the workforce. Originally from Ohio, Mr. Kitchen began his working life in the oil industry, gaining experience as a roustabout and well-tender before pursuing his electrical apprenticeship. Throughout his career, he worked on diverse commercial and industrial projects, including detention centers, justice facilities, and government buildings. He also served as an electrical inspector for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. With his wealth of experience, Mr. Kitchen strives to inspire his students to see challenges as opportunities and build fulfilling careers.
- Brooke Phipps – Middle School Agriculture Teacher – Piedmont Middle School – 15 Years of Experience
Brooke Phipps is an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Piedmont Middle School. A proud 2006 graduate of Piedmont High School, Brooke pursued her passion for agriculture education at North Carolina State University, earning her degree in 2010.Growing up on her family’s farm inspired Brooke’s love for agriculture, but her journey into teaching was shaped by her high school agriculture teachers and her FFA experiences. Every day, Brooke is dedicated to teaching students where their food comes from and the journey it takes from “farm to plate.” Beyond the classroom, she provides hands-on opportunities to help students develop essential life skills, preparing them to become outstanding employees and engaged citizens.
- Richard Webb – Trades and Industrial Education Teacher – Piedmont High School – 7 Years of Experience
Richard Webb is a 7-year CTE Automotive Teacher at Piedmont High School. In addition to teaching, he has 21+ years as a General Motors Dealership Technician. Being able to bring this experience and knowledge into the classroom offers students real life insight not only to the automotive industry as a whole, but learning and understanding the basics of how vehicles operate and how to properly service and maintain a vehicle. To assure students are gaining knowledge, Mr. Webb includes hands-on activities to give each student an opportunity to experience some form of maintenance or repair on a vehicle. These activities tend to get students out of their comfort zone and gives them a great sense of accomplishment to perform a service that most of them have seen their parents or paid someone else to do. Mr. Webb feels that each student is a success story waiting to be told. Many of these stories are told by the time they graduate, some may be later, but one day, someone will hear all about it.