Westside Community Schools has been given two International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) for Program Excellence and Teacher Excellence  awards. These are the latest highlights in a string of exciting developments for District 66, which opened a state-of-the-art welding, fabrication, and manufacturing lab for students just months ago.

The Westside High School Engineering and Technology Department has been awarded a 2020 Program Excellence Award, highlighting an exemplary educational program to help students become technologically literate.

In October, Westside Community Schools and the Westside Foundation unveiled the Westside High School Welding, Fabrication, and Manufacturing Lab, a $1.2 million dollar facility devoted to trades instruction, paid for through donations to the Westside Foundation. Through community investments and strategic partnerships, students are able to access mentorships, apprenticeships, college credit, and work experience before graduating high school. The lab has since been featured in national publications including The Welder and The Fabricator, as well as corporate publications from Union Pacific and OPPD.

Matt Bova, an engineering and technology teacher at Westside Middle School, has been awarded a 2020 Teacher Excellence Award from ITEEA. This honor recognizes educators impacting and making a significant difference in the lives of their students and their development of technological literacy.

“These awards highlight our work in Westside Community Schools to prepare learners for their next steps in life,” said Dr. Mark Weichel, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We know these industries are looking for hard-working, talented staff, and we know we have students interested in these fields. We are proud to give Westside students the tools, education, and opportunities they need to be successful.”

Mr. Bova and WHS Engineering and Technology teachers will travel to Baltimore in March to accept their awards.

You can find more stories about Westside Community Schools online.