Mona Al-Hayani, a history teacher at Toledo Early College High School, was chosen state teacher of the year from the group of district finalists that included Whited.
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Paolo DeMaria, Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction, said the award recognizes educators who inspire students and improve education.
“Teachers are at the forefront of Ohio’s charge to create bright, exciting futures for our students,” DeMaria said. “The Ohio Teacher of the Year program recognizes inspiring educators who elevate our public education system and ensure real world success for our students.”
Whited, who has been teaching for 12 years, including six in Centerville, works to help students embrace their opportunities and have voices of respect and acceptance for everyone, according to his application submitted for consideration to be Teacher of the Year.
“What I love about Centerville is the expectation level,” he said. “Whether it be through extracurricular activities or in the classroom, you can just tell there’s a drive with kids where they want to succeed at a high level, and that really starts at home and is backed by our administration. It makes it easy to wake up in the morning and come here to teach.”
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As a social studies teacher based in the East Unit at Centerville High School, Whited teaches U.S. history. In addition, he has coordinated a building-wide Veterans Day program for the past five years to connect students with veterans in the community and serves as the varsity baseball coach, according to Jack Durnbaugh, CHS East Unit principal.
“Mr. Whited is an enormous advocate for the development of students and a tremendous resource for the Centerville community,” Durnbaugh said. “His work in and outside of the classroom positively impacts students, staff, parents and our community.
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