Joseph Chapman, a SkillsUSA advisor and Law Enforcement instructor at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies, has won an Outstanding Career and Technical Educator award for participation in SkillsUSA and career and technical education.
The award will be presented to Chapman during the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.
One of SkillsUSA’s highest recognitions, the Outstanding Educator of the Year, is awarded to outstanding individuals who guide SkillsUSA members to become leaders in their chosen fields. Not awarded regularly, it is given only when the SkillsUSA Board of Directors wants to honor an exceptional educator for their service and dedication to career and technical education and SkillsUSA.
Chapman, who teaches Law Enforcement at the Center, became a SkillsUSA advisor in 2017. After attending his first national conference in 2019, he began to integrate the SkillsUSA Framework into his teaching and advanced his chapter to total participation status. He helped increase membership at his school from 50 students to more than 550 annually. He encourages his students to participate in local and state competitions — not for a medal, but for the experience and the journey. His students have participated in the state championships since 2018, and his students have earned five national medals since 2021.
As the SkillsUSA South Carolina state director from 2021 to 2024, he coached and helped advisors and administrators with SkillsUSA Framework integration, chapter management, fundraising, competition preparation, advocacy, business and industry partnerships and the Chapter Excellence Program. He expanded the SkillsUSA South Carolina State Leadership & Skills Conference from 80 to more than 100 competitions and opened nearly all competitions to college/postsecondary and middle school students. As a member of the SkillsUSA National Facilitation Team, Chapman has helped advance career and technical education and SkillsUSA across the country.
“Joseph Chapman is a SkillsUSA champion with a true passion for helping youth develop the knowledge and skills that empower every student to achieve career success,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “His passion and dedication to SkillsUSA and career and technical education are inspiring.”
Learn more at skillsusa.org.
Photo courtesy of LexRich5.org
