Every year, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) recognizes exceptional educators for their commitment to STEM education and their students.
Congratulations to these 2024-25 National PLTW Teachers and PLTW Administrator of the Year award winners who are inspiring and empowering the next generation. Hear from these amazing educators about their passion for students and STEM.
Marisol Pérez, California
John C. Fremont High School STEAM Magnet
ROBERT & PATRICIA KERN PLTW TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“STEM is something I have always loved to do, but if our environments are not inclusive then it makes it difficult for young women of color to feel comfortable to share these spaces. If I can help alleviate the gender/cultural gap by even a fraction in my community, then I feel I am in the right business in being an educator.”
Amy Magill
East Farms STEAM Magnet School
NATIONAL PLTW LAUNCH TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“Teaching first grade brings me so much joy as I witness the curiosity & enthusiasm my students bring to the room each day. I love fostering a classroom environment where students feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions, express their ideas, and collaborate with their peers. Seeing their confidence grow and their love for learning blossom is the most rewarding part of my job.”
Sarah Leonard
Louis L. Redding Middle School
NATIONAL PLTW GATEWAY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“STEM is the past, present and future. It is limitless and we are preparing our students for careers that are not in existence today. At the basis of STEM is the skills students need to be successful in any future career: critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and teamwork.”
Elizabeth Traub, California
Pittsburg High School
NATIONAL PLTW COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“STEM shows students the connection between art, science, programming, math, English, communication, even physical education—it pushes them to grow and explore. They don't know what exists outside of their life experiences until they see it!”
Brian Rhodes
Blackstone Valley Technical High School
NATIONAL PLTW ENGINEERING TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“STEM surrounds every aspect of our world. Educational experiences in STEM helps students look deeper at their world and want to understand how and why. This further empowers some to decide that they can make a change with the power of their STEM background and knowledge.”
Tanya Adkisson
Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School
NATIONAL PLTW BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE TEACH OF THE YEAR
“STEM is important because it's the way of the world. We need to critical thinkers and innovators to solve the problems of our world. It's going to take STEM to fuel advances in the medical, technology, and environmental fields.”
Kimberly Mason
Rosenwald Elementary School
NATIONAL PLTW ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
“As a STEAM Immersion School, we promote transdisciplinary learning across all subjects and place priority on STEAM Lab experiences. Students are engaged in critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, while solving real world problems. Our students think better and are better prepared for their next educational experience as well as the life they choose.”
Learn more about these award-winning educators here.
