Two UCPS CTE teachers earn the Outstanding Teacher Award from Project Lead the Way
Central Academy of Technology & Arts educators Jon Hidalgo and David Humphries are two of 59 teachers selected across the U.S. to have earned the 2022-23 Outstanding Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Teacher award. The award recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience while expanding access to PLTW programs and transforming teaching.
PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Students learn technical skills and also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate. PLTW also provides teachers with the training, resources and support they need.
Dipesh Bhattarai, a senior at CATA, nominated Hidalgo and Humphries for recognition for their work in the PLTW Engineering program.
“They both deserve this award because they do so much for us. I’m proud to see our school represented,” said Dipesh. “Learning to accept criticism, especially in engineering, was a big lesson. In my first year, I was one of those students who thought they knew everything. Mr. Hidaldo and Mr. Humphries taught me to be open to other people’s perspectives. They also have a way of making students feel comfortable to ask questions or for help.”
Hidalgo has been a teacher for 16 years and was introduced to PLTW 11 years ago.
“It was a world I hadn’t seen or experienced before. What I love about PLTW most is how my students can create their ideas and share their visions,” said Hidalgo. “I’m a big believer in learning by doing. That’s where PLTW does a great job.”
After working in the engineering industry, Humphries chose to become a teacher. He has been teaching for five years.
“I come from industry, so coming into a school and knowing what a high school student should be expected to know and learn was a bit foreign. Having PLTW set that foundation,” said Humphries. “It makes it easy to take it from there and to teach and expand on it.”
“We are so proud of Mr. Hidalgo and Mr. Humphries for their dedication to our students. Their commitment to providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences enables our students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We are honored and fortunate to have them as teachers at CATA,” said Principal Kevin Beals.
PLTW is a part of the district’s Career and Technical Education. For more information on PLTW, visit pltw.org. To read more about Hidalgo and Humphries, visit https://tinyurl.com/yrkeybtr.