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“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.”
As a social studies teacher based in the East Unit at CHS, 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.
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“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.”
State Board District 3 representative Charlotte McGuire worked with a committee of educators, parents and business leaders to select Whited.
“We are honored Jason is our District 3 choice for the 2019 Teacher of the Year,” McGuire said. “He distinguished himself among educators for his purposeful work with parents, staff and the community to maximize his students’ potential for success.”
Whited and 10 other regional Teacher of the Year awardees each have the chance to be named the Ohio Teacher of the Year this fall.
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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.”
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One of Whited’s former students, Ally Cupps, said his ability to teach went beyond the classroom.
“Mr. Whited looks for opportunities to relate to his students that carry far beyond the classroom,” she said. “He is realistic in his approach and knows that students learn best with engaging activities, projects and interactive outlets.”
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