Deanna Cureton from the Charlotte Engineering Early College (CEEC), located near EPIC, is the 2017-18 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Teacher of the Year.
According to an article in the Charlotte Observer, Cureton teaches English Honors II and is 10th-grade team leader at the Charlotte Engineering Early College, which is a collaborative effort between CMS and the University.
Teaching at Charlotte Engineering Early College has been a learning experience, said Cureton in the article. She also discussed the significance of the early college program. “As a first-generation college graduate, access to college courses is so important,” she said. “We all know people that are struggling to pay off student loans, and being able to leave here with up to 60 credit hours is invaluable to our students. This model allows students, regardless of their economic status, to have opportunities to become whatever they want.”
Charlotte Engineering Early College opened in the shadow of EPIC in August 2014. CEEC’s curriculum focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses, with a special emphasis on energy and engineering.
Will Leach, CEEC’s principal, earned a Master of School Administration from UNC Charlotte in 2000.