Pine Mountain Middle School is one of only twenty-six outstanding technology and engineering programs from around the world to be recognized by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) at its 86th Annual Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Program Excellence Award, presented to Pine Mountain teacher Richard White, is one of the highest honors given to technology and engineering education programs and recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession and students.
Pine Mountain’s program was recognized for its work in integrating coding and programming in Engineering. The program’s work was made possible by a SY23 Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) Computer Science Teacher Equipment and Community (CSTEC) Grant that expanded the program’s technology platform and added programmable devices to enhance the Engineering footprint.
In addition, Mr. White has also integrated manufacturing standards into Pine Mountain’s program to assist students in making connections between the industries.
“With over 90% of new jobs being created in the technology and engineering fields, learning these skills early on will prepare students for their future and encourage them to follow their dreams. I believe every student can find success in both the technology and engineering fields with encouragement and support,” said Mr. White, who has served in Cobb Schools for almost 16 years as a substitute, paraprofessional, and classroom teacher,
The international award is designed to recognize superior K-12 technology and engineering education programs, like Pine Mountain, worldwide. These award-winning programs serve as a standard for comparison and models for the development of other programs. The internationally acclaimed programs reflect contemporary technology engineering education.
Awardees like Mr. White stand out as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in their region, province, or state as proponents of advancing technological literacy for all.
“The award winners exhibit so many high-quality programs and activities occurring globally in technology and engineering education! It is inspiring to learn from these leaders, and we should all feel proud to be connected with these colleagues,” shared Charlie McLaughlin, ITEEA president.
