Maple School teacher wins two awards

Maple School teacher Jesse Cranfill was honored with two awards recently from the Project Lead the Way organization.

Cranfill has been teaching and advising the Project Lead the Way program at Maple School for a couple of years. He teaches the students a variety of components in engineering. The different classes focus on coding for computers, engineering and robotics.

Cranfill is one of only 38 teachers across the U.S. to earn the 2023-24 Outstanding PLTW Teacher Award, which recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, while expanding access to Project Lead The Way programs and transforming teaching. "I am honored for these awards and can only say that I love working with my students and helping them achieve their goals."

PLTW is honoring Jesse Cranfill for his work in the PLTW Launch and Gateway pathways. He is the only teacher to receive both honors. Jesse Cranfill has been a teacher at Maple Elementary School for 17 years and teaches PLTW Launch and Gateway courses for students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade.

"Celebrating great teaching and learning is one the most important things we do at Project Lead The Way. Our network of educators across the U.S. provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in today's STEM-driven world," said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW president and CEO. "We recognize and congratulate these educational leaders and are proud of the work they do to ensure all students have learning experiences that excite and prepare them for future careers."

The Project Lead the Way program gives students a head start in pursuing careers in STEM related fields. The program starts with teaching students in grade school, giving them basics in engineering and robotics. The program follows students all the way through high school, making them prepared to obtain jobs in a variety of STEM related fields.