TCHS Named One of Top STEM Programs in the Nation

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

Toombs County High School recently received the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Program Excellence Award, which recognized the school as one of the top programs in the nation for innovation, teaching practices, and leadership in technology and engineering education.

The school was one of twenty schools across the nation to be recognized, and one of two schools in Georgia to receive the award. This honor was announced at the ITEEA’s 87th Annual Conference, which was held in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 2-5.

Sponsored by ITEEA and Paxton/Patterson, the Program Excellence Award is one of the highest honors given to technology, engineering, and STEM education programs, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the profession and students. These awardwinning programs serve as a standard for comparison and models for the development of other programs, with each program selected and recognized reflecting contemporary technology and engineering education teaching practices and innovation. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in their state and beyond as proponents of advancing technological and engineering literacy for all.

“What truly stands out about our award recipients is the remarkable caliber of technology and engineering education programs they've implemented worldwide, “ ITEEA Awards Chair Byron McKay, shared. “There's so much we can learn from these trailblazers in our field. It's an honor to count such accomplished educators as part of our professional network.'

Toombs County High School Principal Marissa Morris also spoke on the honor. “At Toombs County High School, we are honored to have Mr. [Jess] Bush, our Engineering and Technology teacher and Technology Student Association (TSA) Advisor at Toombs County High School, recognized on a national level for his leadership and innovation in the classroom. Being one of only 20 educators and programs selected across the country, this award highlights the caliber of instruction he provides and the meaningful impact he has on our students,” she emphasized. “Mr. Bush truly reflects our vision to 'Create Your Legacy' by preparing students to lead, innovate, and excel beyond the walls of our school, and in doing so, he continues to build a powerful legacy of his own.”