UPDATE: July 1, 2015
Yesterday, at the White House, the U.S. Department of Education and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) awarded business and entrepreneurship teacher Juston Glass with the National CTE Innovator Award. Glass, who said he was honored to receive the award, recounted the experience of attending the White House event, during which he – along with Neil Movva ’15, rising sophomore Rajiv Movva and upper school head Butch Keller – heard first Lady Michelle Obama speak on the importance of innovation to drive the country’s economic growth.
At the CTE Innovation Fair, Glass shared the accomplishments of Harker’s business and entrepreneurship (B.E.) program and discussed the advantages it gives students in the present and future. “Having Neil and Rajiv there allowed attendees to see firsthand how the students are benefitting from the resources the school is able to provide them in their technology and research endeavors,” Glass said. “Having Mr. Keller attend also showed the great support that our administration has for all that we are doing.”
Glass noted that being surrounded by other teachers and students was a source of inspiration: “Connecting with and hearing from students from all over the country no matter their organization showed that we can come together as one within CTE as a whole to improve education and ensure a stronger future for our country.”
June 30, 2015
Harker graduate Neil Movva, rising sophomore Rajiv Movva, business and entrepreneurship teacher Juston Glass and upper school head Butch Keller are in Washington, D.C., attending an event titled “Celebrating Innovations in Career and Technical Education,” held at the White House. As part of a select group of educators, business leaders and outstanding students, the Harker contingent will meet with administration officials and learn about the latest advancements in career and technical education (CTE).
The event aims to highlight programs developed by educators and students in the CTE field, which prepares students for success by integrating technical and career-based learning into academic programs. At the event’s CTE Innovation Fair, Neil Movva is slated to give a presentation on Project Pathfinder, a piece of wearable technology he has worked on that assists the visually impaired by using ultrasonic sensors to let its users know the proximity of nearby objects. Neil’s brother Rajiv will present his own research, which found that flavonoids found in common fruits and vegetables could provide a remedy for diabetes patients who eat meals rich in carbohydrates.
Meanwhile, Glass will speak about Harker’s B.E. program, discussing key aspects including Harker’s DECA chapter, TEDxHarker and BECon, as well as the ways in which Harker’s B.E. students are contributing to the field of CTE.
This story will be updated as details from the trip emerge. Stay tuned!