WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training (NCTET) honored Project Lead The Way (PLTW) President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram with the 2017 Community Builder Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the organization’s mission of effectively integrating technology into teaching and learning.
Bertram received the honor during NCTET’s 20th Anniversary Inaugural Ball at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., on January 20 along with four other awardees:
- Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice (retired) and iCivics chairperson
- Hon. Jessica Rosenworcel, commissioner, Federal Communications Commission,
- Dr. S. Dallas Dance, superintendent, Baltimore Co. Schools (Maryland)
- David Byer, Senior Group Manager, Worldwide Education Advocacy, Apple Inc. (NCTET Founders Award)
“Technology plays a vital role in students’ lives, both inside and outside of the classroom, and it is important that we continue to help students and teachers use technology as tools in the educational process,” said Bertram. “On a deeper level, we have a commitment as educators to ensure that students understand technology and the impact it has on our world, and help them move beyond consumers of technology to become the creators and innovators of technology.”
As President and CEO, Bertram has led PLTW to serve more than 2.4 million students and 35,000 teachers in over 9,000 U.S. schools. Under his leadership, PLTW has expanded its transformative career learning programs to include grades K-5 and developed a full K-12 Computer Science pathway to prepare students in the areas of computing, programming, computational thinking, and cybersecurity for the jobs of the 21st century. Through PLTW, students discover and learn the latest technology, software, and devices used by today’s computer scientists, engineers, technologists, and science professionals, often working alongside them to help solve real-world challenges and issues faced by top companies. They develop core subject knowledge in math, science, technology, and engineering, but also strengthen their skills in problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.
“We cannot be more thrilled to honor these five incredible men and women for their efforts to leverage the latest technologies to support the success of all learners,” said Ann Flynn, NCTET board chair and director of education technology at the National School Boards Association. “Their efforts have made a lasting impact on teaching and learning.”
NCTET is widely known for hosting an Inaugural Ball every four years, a black tie affair where the nation’s technology and education leaders honor the swearing-in of America’s President and Congress. The Ball is hosted the evening of the Inauguration at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill with over 400 attendees each year. This year, NCTET celebrated the Ball’s 20th Anniversary.
Prior NCTET honorees include the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), George Lucas (Lucasfilms and Edutopia), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and John Gage (director of the Science Office, Sun Microsystems).
About PLTW Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 9,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
About NCTET NCTET is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of education stakeholders that promotes and supports the effective use of technology to improve education and training in America by acting as a convener, catalyst and resource for relevant and timely information. Based in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1993, NCTET organizes policy briefings and issue forums, produces white papers, recognizes exemplary leadership in education and technology, and creates networking opportunities.
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Media Contacts:
Jennifer Cahill
PLTW Senior Director of Media and Public Relations
(317) 669-0871
jcahill@pltw.org