| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Adriane De Ceuninck
|
March 21, 2013
|
(517) 482-5244 |
HEIDI ROCHA HONORED AS MICHIGAN’S PROSTART® TEACHER OF THE YEAR
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Restaurant Association Educational Support Foundation (MRA ESF) is pleased to announce that Heidi Rocha is the Michigan ProStart® Teacher of the Year for 2013.
“Teachers are very much at the heart of the ProStart program, each and every day,” said Amanda Smith, MRA ESF Executive Director. “Every year, a ProStart teacher is selected as Teacher of the Year. This award honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement inside and outside of the classroom.”
ProStart is a two-year program for high school students that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. Rocha was chosen for the award by her peers; nearly 100 teachers from career and technical education centers around the state who use the ProStart curriculum.
Rocha is the culinary arts instructor the Clare-Gladwin Career Center. She is well-known for her commitment to excellence and consistently exceeds expectations. She also has the unique challenge of teaching ProStart on two campuses – Clare and Gladwin.
Making a positive difference in the lives of her students is what Rocha says she is most passionate about in her career. “I work hard to offer a variety of learning experiences to them, but at the end of the day, there is a much greater purpose for what we do as teachers. My main focus is to help them feel a sense of accomplishment and determination to achieve their personal goals.”
As Michigan’s Teacher of the Year, Rocha will be recognized during the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago this May. She, along with the other Teachers of the Year from around the country, will participate in two days of industry training, visit the NRA Show, and network with other teachers of excellence.
PHOTO: Brian DeBano (left), president & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant Association; Heidi Rocha (center); Steve Deal, 2012 Teacher of the Year (right).
In Michigan, 66 high schools and career centers use the ProStart curriculum with more than 4,900 students participating. For more information about ProStart, contact Amanda Smith at 800.968.9668, visit michiganrestaurant.org/prostart, or find us on Twitter and Facebook.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents nearly 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 390,000 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales.
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