BURRILLVILLE – Burrillville High School teacher Andrew Aldrich was named 2022 SkillsUSA Rhode Island Career and Technical Educator of the Year at the organization’s 46th annual state leadership conference held on Wednesday, March 30.
Aldrich, a Project Lead The Way pre-engineering instructor, was one of just three teachers from across the state recognized at the event.
“Since Skills USA inception at BHS, Mr. Aldrich has been on board and encouraged participation to his students as well as his colleagues,” noted a narrative on the award. “When it comes to giving students opportunities for growth and excellence, ‘Aldy’ is always on board and eager to jump in feet first Aldy’s competitive spirit has garnered a community of pride in the CTE culture at Burrillville.”
The organization, which aims to create a skilled American workforce through training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, launched a new Urban Search & Rescue competition last year. Aldrich was able to assemble three teams, which won gold, silver and bronze medals at the state level, and came in fifth nationally, noted the teacher’s write-up in the awards program Wednesday night.
The accolade noted that the teacher is also, “an innovator,” as well as, “an integral part of the success of the CTE and STEAM integration for K-12 students.” Aldrich developed a summer STEAM program in Burrillville where 25 high school student volunteers mentored 75 K-5 students, “which was an enormous success,” according to SkillsUSA Rhode Island officials.
The event also highlighted student success at this year’s competitions, noting that 72 students from Rhode Island were invited to the National Leadership conference. Two students from Burrillville placed in the national top ten: Reid Morin and Ethan Woods, who came in fifth place in Robotics in the Career Pathways Showcase for Urban Search and Rescue.
District officials congratulated the teacher on social media on the, “much deserved honor.”
“He is always looking for new community partnerships and spends his free time ‘scheming’ as to how the school can make all of its CTE program more successful,” the awards program stated. “Members of the Burrillville community know Aldy as a passionate, hardworking, caring and selfless instructor that has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of his students.”
