CHAMPION — Trumbull Career and Technical Center interactive multimedia instructor Kris Doran has been named Ohio Career Tech Education Teacher of the Year.

The Girard resident was selected for the award by the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education. He was chosen among all the career and technical education schools in Ohio as its Teacher of the Year.

“I was very surprised to be selected and also to be nominated. It is always an honor to be nominated,” he said.

He said he focuses on work-based learning for his students providing them with real-world experiences in the multimedia industry.

“I was recognized for creating material that directly impacts students and their learning not only in this school but every school in Trumbull County,” he said.

Students are involved with such clients as the Girard mayor podcast, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, senior showcase show and Hospice annual state conference.

Doran said a big part of the application included the safe driving campaigns the students have done in the past four years and the grants the program has received.

“Over three years, we received more than $30,000 in grants for the program. We have also helped promote the Trumbull County Mental Health 988 suicide prevention campaign. I try to gear student projects to real clients or social service agencies that need highlighted,” Doran said.

The students also have worked on public service announcements for local television channels.

The award also notes Doran’s involvement with Business Professionals of America with students winning at the state and national levels for the past 14 years.

“The students are able to use these wins on their resumes. People see when someone does well at BPA events they tend to be a good employee. The students put a lot of work into the BPA projects,” Doran said.

The students do style guides and launch products, apps and websites allowing for hands-on experience.

TCTC Director Paula Baco, who was previously a supervisor, nominated Doran for the award.

Doran is marking his 14th year of teaching at TCTC and previously taught four years at the Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus.

In addition, Doran also was named the District 9 Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Board of Education. He was among 11 teachers to receive the award. District 9 includes Trumbull, Ashtabula, Portage, Stark and Lake counties and part of Geauga County.

“To be recognized as the only career tech teacher of the 11 is an honor. It is an exciting process, and I was excited to represent career tech because we are doing what people are looking for when they graduate,” he said, noting the other 10 recipients teach traditional subject areas.

Doran will be recognized Nov. 18 in Columbus and has been asked to serve on the Ohio Teacher Learning Council.