Congratulations to Kim Stewart, the 2019-20 ProStart Teacher of the Year, and Caleb Hansen, this year’s Mentor of the Year.

In the ProStart program, students not only receive career and technical education credits, but ProStart is career-connected learning. Their industry mentors can open doors for them when they are ready to enter the workforce.

Stewart, a longtime teacher at North Central High School in Spokane, was chosen for this award for her dedication and her ability to look beyond her first impressions of a student to find their potential.

Hansen, the mentor of the team at Mt. Spokane High School in Spokane, was nominated by his ProStart competitive team.

“Although I have only known [Chef Caleb] for two years, he has changed my culinary life and life in general,” said one of his students, Peyton Maxwell. “He also makes me work harder and stronger and pushes me to do the best that I can do.”

Stewart and Hansen each received a certificate and an award. The Teacher of the Year comes with a cash prize, the mentor received a gift certificate.