New Berlin Eisenhower teacher Devin McKinnon was recently recognized by Project Lead The Way (PLTW) as the Robert and Patricia Kern PLTW National Teacher of the Year, which is the highest recognition for PLTW educators. PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram presented the award in front of nearly 1,000 attendees, including teachers from across the United States at PLTW’s national conference in Indianapolis – PLTW Summit.

The award is based on merit and is a reflection of McKinnon’s strong alignment to PLTW’s mission; exceptional commitment to students; school leadership; and meaningful involvement in PLTW curriculum, assessment, and professional development.

“We could not be more proud of Devin, not just for this award, but for her hard work and the dedication she shows to her profession and the students in the School District of New Berlin,” SDNB Superintendent Joe Garza said. “An award like this is reserved for the best and brightest in the industry, and we’re glad to have Devin in our classrooms with our students each and every day.”

McKinnon is a PLTW Gateway Master Teacher known for her commitment that all students should have access to high-quality career learning opportunities. From teaching students how to code to empowering them to clearly communicate their experiences, McKinnon helps her students persist through failure.

In addition to McKinnon’s top national award, PLTW recognized five other instructors as PLTW program teachers of the year for their outstanding commitment to empowering students to thrive in our evolving world:

• PLTW Launch Teacher of the Year – Joseline Nacua, Jefferson Elementary School, Compton Unified School District, Compton, California
• PLTW Gateway Teacher of the Year– Kristie Steinlicht, Anacapa Middle School, Ventura Unified School District, Ventura, California
• PLTW Engineering Teacher of the Year – Brett Kisker, Liberty North High School, Liberty Public Schools, Liberty, Missouri
• PLTW Biomedical Science Teacher of the Year– Jeanine Hall, Hendrick Hudson High School, Hendrick Hudson School District, Montrose, New York
• PLTW Computer Science Teacher of the Year – Susan Jones, Midway High School, Midway Independent School District, Woodway, Texas

“PLTW is proud to work with outstanding educators across the country that are inspiring and empowering our students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills,” Bertram said. “Devin McKinnon is an exemplar teacher, and we are proud to recognize her for her commitment to students.”

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-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. Approximately 11,500 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.