$2,000 from Dominion Energy presented to four CTE teachers
In observance of Women’s History Month, four outstanding teachers in Gaston County Schools each received a $500 grant from Dominion Energy to bring attention to female educators in the area of Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Anna Guzauskas of Ashbrook High School, Holly Hite of Cramerton Middle School, Jill Lenox of East Gaston High School, and Angela Sanders of Southwest Middle School were the four educators who were recognized during a ceremony on March 24.
Julie Roper, economic development and local government manager for Dominion Energy, presented the $2,000 in grants, and during her comments, she highlighted the importance of having female leaders and role models in CTE. Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker and Brett Buchanan, CTE director, also shared remarks during the presentation. The teachers will use the grant money to support classroom lessons and activities.
Below is information about each honoree:
Anna Guzauskas, Ashbrook High School
Ms. Guzauskas received an associate degree in culinary technology from Central Piedmont Community College and a bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Belmont Abbey College. She has been in Gaston County Schools for eight years and teaches the Foods and Nutrition I and II and Foods Enterprise II classes.
Holly Hite, Cramerton Middle School
Ms. Hite received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a license to teach CTE from the University of Phoenix. Prior to teaching health sciences at Cramerton Middle School, she taught business and career management classes at Stuart W. Cramer High School for four years.
Jill Lenox, East Gaston High School
Ms. Lenox received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications from the State University of New York at Geneso. She has a master’s degree in adult education from Elmira College and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Working at East Gaston for 16 years, she has taught career management and personal finance classes as well as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier classes. She also is certified to teach family consumer science classes.
Angela Sanders, Southwest Middle School
Ms. Sanders received a bachelor’s degree in business and computer information systems from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in business and technology from Webster University. She has taught business and information technology education and technology engineering and design classes for 23 years. She is the adviser for the school’s Technology Student Association, and her students won awards in several categories at the recent N.C. TSA Western Regional Conference.
“We are so fortunate to have a business partner like Dominion Energy that understands the important work of teachers and values what they do to shape our future,” stated Superintendent Booker. “Dominion Energy realizes why we need strong, positive, female role models in the area of Career and Technical Education, and we appreciate the company’s willingness to honor four of our teachers, who are making a difference and inspiring their students.”
Dr. Booker added, “To see women excelling in Career and Technical Education is one of the best ways to inspire our female students to dream, achieve, and experience success in whatever career field they choose. The presentation of grants from Dominion Energy during Women’s History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate women in public education, women in Career and Technical Education, and women who are leading a force in bringing about positive change and moving our communities forward.”
