Meet our 2025-26 National PLTW Teachers and PLTW Administrator of the Year Awards Winners!  

Robert & Patricia Kern PLTW Teacher of the Year

Jeannette Cruz

Wheaton High School 

Jeannette Cruz is a dedicated educator with more than 20 years of classroom experience, including 13 years teaching Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS). Since 2017, she has served as a PBS Master Teacher and has led Wheaton High School’s PLTW program as site coordinator for nearly a decade. 

Originally from Puerto Rico, Cruz began her teaching career in South Florida before joining Wheaton in 2011. She has taught PBS to hundreds of students and leads the school’s PLTW Biomedical Academy, which enrolls more than 500 students annually. She also coordinates the Biotechnicians Exam, helping students earn industry-recognized certification. 

Cruz is known for her instructional leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to preparing the next generation of biomedical and health science professionals. 

National PLTW Launch Teacher of the Year

Tia Rodriguez

Roger D. Gehring Academy 

Originally from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Tia Rodriguez brings the spirit of aloha—respect, kindness, and community—into her fourth grade classroom at Roger D. Gehring Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she is now in her fourth year of teaching and is known for her creativity, care, and commitment to student growth. 

Through PLTW, Rodriguez empowers young learners to think like scientists and engineers, designing hands-on lessons that spark curiosity and connect classroom learning to the real world. Her goal is to make learning joyful and help students build not only academic skills, but also confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. 

National PLTW Gateway Teacher of the Year

Aaron Sottile

Calavera Hills Middle School 

Aaron Sottile is a science and STEM educator at Calavera Hills Middle School in Carlsbad, California, with more than 20 years of classroom experience. For the past nine years, he has taught PLTW Gateway courses—Design and Modeling and Medical Detectives—creating hands-on, student-centered learning experiences that challenge students to solve real-world problems through the design process. 

Sottile’s work has earned him numerous honors, including the Classroom of the Future Foundation Impact Award, the Lynette Robinson Award for Inclusive Education, and recognition as a San Diego County Teacher of the Year finalist. As a PrintLab 3D Printing Ambassador and teacher leader with the San Diego Science Project, he champions innovation, inclusion, and student empowerment. 

National PLTW Computer Science Teacher of the Year

Scott Wooddell

Oxford Area School District

Scott Wooddell has been an educator in the Oxford Area School District since 2005. Inspired by Christa McAuliffe’s legacy, he earned a full scholarship to Towson University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and later a master’s in mathematics education. With nearly three decades of experience, Wooddell has taught a wide range of math and computer science courses, known for blending creativity, rigor, and real-world relevance. 

Beyond the classroom, Wooddell sponsors the Aerial Drone Team, Academic Competition Team, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), helping students explore their passions and build leadership skills. He was honored with the 2018 Citadel Heart of Learning Award for his deep commitment to student success and community impact. 

Through mentorship, innovation, and a student-first mindset, Wooddell continues to inspire learners to think critically, stay curious, and grow into confident, capable individuals. 

National PLTW Engineering Teacher of the Year

Natalie Campana

Steubenville High School

Natalie Campana is a public educator and certified pilot with more than 20 years of experience teaching aerospace engineering, aviation, multimedia, and broadcast journalism in K–12 education. She currently serves as the career technical education department head at Steubenville High School in Ohio and advises the school’s Business Professionals of America chapter. 

Campana holds a Bachelor of Science in interactive media from Ohio University and a Master of Education in career technical education from the University of Toledo, where she also earned her CTE license. She brings real-world aviation expertise into the classroom, having earned her certified flight instructor rating through Midwest Corporate Air. 

A strong advocate for aligning education with industry standards, Campana collaborates with the FAA and the Allegheny County Flight Standards District Office and serves as an FAA Safety Team representative. She also supports student access to emerging aviation technologies through the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification program, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and the Steubenville Police Department. 

National PLTW Biomedical Science Teacher of the Year

Angela Quinlan

Pacific High School

Angela Quinlan is a demonstration and CTE teacher certified in both English and health science and medical technology. She teaches three of the four PLTW Biomedical Science courses, using project-based learning to spark curiosity and critical thinking. 

As lead of the Biomedical Pathway, chair of the Biomedical Advisory Board, and a TIP mentor, Quinlan empowers students and colleagues alike with a passion for transforming the future. Her classroom fosters innovation through STEAM and real-world problem-solving, preparing students to become proactive, resilient, and community-minded professionals. 

National PLTW Administrator of the Year

Tim Vaughan

Prince William County Public Schools

Tim Vaughan serves as the CTE administrative coordinator for Prince William County Public Schools, bringing more than 30 years of experience and a deep commitment to student success. Originally from Ireland, he began his career teaching engineering and technical drawing in Dublin before moving to Virginia, where he spent nearly two decades in the classroom. 

A recognized leader in technology and engineering education, Vaughan has earned multiple honors, including VTEEA Middle School Teacher of the Year (2021), ITEEA Outstanding Educator (2022), and the inaugural VTEEA Specialist Award (2025). 

Now in his third year as coordinator, Vaughan has elevated CTE across PWCS by setting high standards and building strong industry partnerships. His signature initiative—PLTW Capstone Week—connects students with business leaders who provide real-world feedback on final projects, exemplifying his commitment to bridging education and industry. His leadership continues to inspire educators and empower students to graduate with confidence, purpose, and a future-ready mindset.