Cpl. Roger "Rhett" Calloway.LA PLATA, Md. (Aug. 29, 2016)—High standards and expectations, striving to excel and putting your best forward in all you do are just a few of the lifelong lessons Master Cpl. Roger "Rhett" Calloway emphasizes in his North Point High School criminal justice classroom. He is well known among the student body as an instructor who not only pushes students to excel academically, but challenges them to be independent and responsible role models for their peers.
Calloway has served as the lead instructor over the criminal justice program at North Point for the past eight school years and spends countless hours ensuring his students are prepared for the future. Additionally, Master Cpl. Calloway oversees the Charles County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post, a program in which children ages 14-21 who are interested in law enforcement can participate in community service events such as fingerprinting assignments, and traffic and crowd control.
In both of these roles, Calloway's commitment to the success of young people is clear. His level of commitment and dedication to the Charles County community are qualities deserving of recognition. Calloway's colleagues agree and nominated him for an award through the Maryland Sheriff's Association (MSA). In just two weeks, he travels to the Maryland Chiefs/Sheriffs Training Seminar in Ocean City where he will be recognized as the 2015 Deputy of the Year in the Community Service category of the MSA's awards program.
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 added.
The award honors an individual with an outstanding performance record in service to their community. Calloway's nomination was submitted by Charles County 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. 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 over 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. Calloway strives to teach students about self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership. 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. He works with his students during the school day to prepare them for the competition, but can often be found working after hours to ensure his students are prepared to compete. 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," according to Calloway's nomination.
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.