Mr. Kenny Bouwens was recognized on Tuesday July 26 by the Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association with their annual High School Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Bouwens is beginning his seventh year as a public educator and is starting his third year as a teacher with Goochland County Public Schools. Mr. Bouwens teaches video, photography, and engineering at Goochland High School.
The Virginia Technology Engineering and Education Association High School Teacher of the Year Award is one of the highest honors given to Technology and Engineering Education classroom teachers and is presented in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their students. The Teacher Excellence Award provides public recognition at the local, regional, state and international levels. Mr. Bouwens will be presented with an engraved plaque and other awards at the association’s annual, international conference.
Candidates for the Teacher Excellence Award are nominated by their local school divisions for providing Technology and Engineering Education instruction of high quality. Nominees provide student-centered instruction in the field of technology. Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley celebrated Mr. Bouwens’ success as a leader in technology and engineering instruction. “Kenny is an example of the many talented professionals who work tirelessly every day to provide Goochland County’s students with authentic, deeper learning experiences. We are very proud of Kenny and the exceptional learning experiences that he is providing to our students.” Director of Career and Technical Education, Bruce Watson agrees. “Mr. Bouwens is a tremendous asset to the GHS Career and Technical education department and brings a variety of talents and interests to his students. Kenny is very deserving of this award and it speaks volumes to his commitment to students and the program that he is receiving this award. His honor is well deserved.”
Goochland County Public Schools is a leader in providing students with instructional opportunities to become career ready in all 16 career clusters identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Mr. Bouwens acknowledged the work that the school division is doing to support students in earning the technical skills they will need in order to be competitive in the future job market. “I am thankful to work for a school division and community that has such strong support for Career and Technical Education. I can’t wait to see where we go from here because we have already done so many things in such a short time.”