Explore the New Manufacturing has announced the inaugural recipients of the Emerging Elite in Manufacturing and Outstanding Industry Educator Awards celebrating the skills and dedication of stu-dents and educators across West Virginia. "As the explore team has worked with students and educators to increase the understanding of manufacturing across the state, we have been amazed by student talent and poise. The educators involved in our programs are steadfast champ-ions for their students, tirelessly seeking means to help them succeed along their career pathways," says Program Director Monica Cross.

EMERGING ELITE IN MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY EDUCATOR AWARDS

Launched in 2020, the Emerging Elite in Manufacturing & Outstanding Industry Educator Awards celebrate the skills and dedication of students and educators across West Virginia. As the Explore Team worked with students and educators through a myriad of programs, we quickly noticed many students whose extraordinary talent and dedication and educators whose tireless commitment were unparalleled. We repeatedly found ourselves discussing that more West Virginians need to know about these highly skilled students and steadfast educators. Finally, the Explore Team determined to do just that; tell the stories of these individuals and recognize their commitment to manufacturing throughout the Mountain State.

PRUNTYTOWN— The hard work, dedication and commitment of a local educator to his students was recently recognized by Explore the New Manufacturing.

Taylor County Middle School (TCMS) Counselor, Jerry Dooley, was taken by surprise when the non-profit organization made him a recipient of an Outstanding Educator Award.

MARTINSBURG — Always having a knack for computers and an interest in teaching, Amy Lopez made a career change that eventually landed her as the technology integration specialist at North Middle.

Her dreams of teaching — the career change is something she calls the best decision of her life — has led her through some interesting projects and connected her with students she’ll never forget. Recently, all her dedication to the field and students paid off when she was named Outstanding Industry Educator in the middle school category by the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, an honor that truly surprised Lopez.

Aaron Fedorke was recognized as an Outstanding Educator by Explore the New Manufacturing for his work helping student explore career pathways.

Fedorke, a career and technical teacher at Wheeling Park High School, works with students in the Project Lead the Way Engineering and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Machine Tool Technology.