We were proud to present the 5th annual Teacher of the Year award at this year's summit for New England Engineering, Design and Robotics Teachers. It's an honor that recognizes a teacher who goes above and beyond to prepare students for careers in technical fields.

This year's recipient, Mike White, is a Drafting instructor at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Massachusetts. He was selected for his outstanding contributions to both his students and the broader education community.

Mike's impact extends far beyond his technical expertise in drafting software or classroom pedagogy. What truly sets him apart is his positive, forward-thinking approach and unwavering belief in his students. He consistently fosters an environment of curiosity and problem-solving, always looking for ways to support and uplift those around him.

One standout example of his dedication came during the remote learning days of COVID. Rather than settling for boring Zoom lectures, Mike personally delivered model-making materials to students across the many towns Bay Path serves, spending hours on the road to ensure their learning remained hands-on and engaging. At the same time, he taught himself OnShape, a cloud-based CAD software, and incorporated it into his virtual lessons so students could continue building their skills through interactive tutorials.

Mike's willingness to go the extra mile has left a lasting impression not only on his students but also on his colleagues.

Congratulations, Mike, and thank you for all you do!