The American poet Mark Van Doren once noted, "The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." To be innovative in the classroom, teachers must assist their students in the art of pioneering their own learning and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum is designed to be an excellent tool in helping students in the area of self-discovery. Add a skilled teaching professional (or two) to the recipe and one has all the ingredients for students to excel. This is why the School District of Belleville is pausing to again celebrate the accomplishments of its finest teachers.

Both Ed Neumann and Erik Farrar are two of just 59 teachers recently selected across the U.S. to have earned the 2022-23 Outstanding PLTW Teacher Award for their commitment to providing Belleville's students with meaningful learning experiences through their PLTW course instruction. The 2022-23 Outstanding PLTW Teacher 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. Belleville's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) teachers have a history of excellence in this department and are truly leading the way for their students to discover the joy of learning in their classrooms.

Ed Neumann was again selected as an Outstanding PLTW Teacher of the Year for his expertise in Engineering at Belleville High School. Students enjoy his determination to teach state-of-the-art skills that easily translate to the needs of today's manufacturing industry. Neumann has been known to partner with local businesses to help his students prepare for careers beyond the classroom and is known to ignite excitement in his students as they prepare for their future beyond the walls of Belleville High School under his skilled guidance.

Erik Farrar was named an Outstanding PLTW Teacher of the Year for his work in the area of Computer Science with both middle and high school students in Belleville. Helping students to find happiness in problem-solving and creative discovery through the field of Computer Science offers a place to start as Farrar makes programming languages and puzzle solving tangible for his students, opening a field of science for Belleville's students to flourish as they plan for their future courses of study in this innovative field.

District Administrator Nate Perry is marveling at how great teaching has catapulted Belleville's PLTW programs to new prominence, "Since the School District of Belleville invested in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) eight years ago, the district has recently reaped the benefits of that early investment. Belleville is a two-time PLTW Distinguished District and now has three national Teachers-of-the-Year honors. Ed and Erik are very well respected by both their students and their peers. Students in Belleville are fortunate to have access to staff and a curriculum that prepares them for life after school in an ever-changing workforce."

Discovery – the art of teaching students to be independent "problem-solvers" is as Van Doren suggests, nothing less than a form of art and one that is demonstrated in the daily work of PLTW teachers Ed Neumann and Erik Farrar. The School District of Belleville is thrilled to have them on their team, inspiring both their fellow colleagues and students alike to explore and learn and dive deeper into the fields of Engineering and Computer Science so they can be the best they can be! Belleville is truly excited to see where these teachers continue to lead their learning community in the next few years as they teach their students to hold tight to their own reins of learning and drive their interests to new heights.