Calloway honored for positive impact on students’ lives
The criminal justice program lead instructor at North Point High School was recently nominated by his colleagues to receive an award through the Maryland Sheriff’s Association (MSA).
Master Cpl. Roger “Rhett” Calloway will be recognized as the 2015 Deputy of the Year in the Community Service category of the MSA’s awards program at the Maryland Chiefs/Sheriffs Training Seminar in Ocean City this month.
Calloway has worked at North Point for the past eight school years and ensures his students are prepared for the future, according to a release. Additionally, he oversees the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post, a program in which children ages 1421 who are interested in law enforcement can participate in community service events such as fingerprinting assignments, and traffic and crowd control.
Calloway said he is honored to represent his community and be highlighted for something he loves to do.
“It is an honor to represent the Sheriff’s Office and to be recognized for my efforts on receiving this award. It would not be possible without the support from the agency, my advisors, the young people in the programs and especially my wife,” he said in the release.
The award honors an individual with an outstanding performance record in service to the community. Calloway’s nomination was submitted by Charles County sheriff’s Lt. Charles Baker and describes him as a natural leader who goes above and beyond to provide positive learning experiences for teens.
“Master Cpl. Calloway is a selfless officer,” Baker said in the release. “He makes the programs he is involved in a priority. He has a reputation for forming and transforming students into high character, high standard members of society. With Calloway’s efforts, his students have gone on to careers in law enforcement and the military.”
As the lead instructor of the criminal justice program at North Point, Calloway teaches lessons that include aspects of law-abiding behavior, developing informed and responsible citizens, and challenges students to use their critical thinking and organizational skills. The program is a career and technology education (CTE) program at North Point and interested students must apply for admittance. Students who enroll in the program graduate with the necessary skills to enter the workforce and experience toward a college degree in law enforcement.
Many of Calloway’s criminal justice students also participate in Skills USA, a CTE-based performance program in which students demonstrate their mastery of topics such as education lesson planning, welding, culinary arts and criminal justice, and compete for local, state and national awards. Under his direction, Calloway’s students regularly receive first- or second-place awards in the program.
In addition to working with his students in the classroom and preparing them for Skills USA events, Calloway also provides them with opportunities in the community so they can learn about giving and helping others.
“These students learn what it means to give of their time. They give hundreds of hours to help the citizens of the county. Many of these events could not go on if it wasn’t for the great help this group provides,” Calloway’s nomination stated.
Calloway joined the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 as a correctional officer and started his time in the classroom at North Point during the 2008-09 school year. He will be honored with the award on Sept. 12.