A military child and spouse who worked in several jobs before moving into teaching and then administration found her passion in helping high school students prepare for their future careers.
Killeen ISD Career and Technical Education Coordinator Charlotte Heinze was undeniably, visibly shocked when the district superintendent with other senior leaders and her closest colleagues honored her with a district STEEL Award.
The district awards two KISD employees a month with a STEEL Award, which stands for Supporting the Education and Empowerment of Learners.
Heinze wanted to be a medical doctor but decided that field wasn’t for her and earned a college degree in marketing.
In the early 1990s, with her soldier husband deploying during the first Gulf War and three sons to raise, she saw the need to change careers.
A trusted friend suggested teaching. Heinze was not interested but gave the idea serious thought and prayer and eventually earned alternative certification and ended up teaching at Copperas Cove High School, where she followed in the footsteps of one of her own former teachers.
As it turned out, career preparation education was a perfect fit.
“I stepped foot in the classroom and I haven’t left. I loved it. I planned to be there only while he was deployed, but I stayed with it.” Now, she has 26 years in education.
“It was great to watch the kids grow and flourish and do well. Even from the first year in 1998 I still talk to those kids,” she said.
“Just being a part of their lives and directing them. I could help them and guide them and give them skills. It’s very rewarding.”
In 2020, a friend recruited her to bring her expertise to the KISD Career Center, where she took on the program advisor role. Now she is a coordinator at the district level, supporting students and teachers in CTE throughout KISD.
“It was a big surprise,” she said of the STEEL Award honor. “I was running out to cheer someone on and I started crying. It was an honor, and it was humbling.”
CTE Director Patrice Robinson nominated Heinze, who she said, “consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her role.”
Her efforts range from making sure students are properly registered for CTE courses to collaborating with campus leaders, teachers and community partners to host events to raise awareness of career-focused programs.
“As a direct result of her efforts, students in KISD gain increased awareness of opportunities and greater exposure to career-ready events,” Robinson said in the nomination.
“Her commitment to excellence and willingness to go the extra mile exemplify her passion for empowering learners and supporting educational success.”