Out of 250 applicants from 10 schools, Clarkston High School teacher Kyle Hughes was named the best, earning first place at the second-annual Walter P. Chrysler ‘Closing the Technology Gap in Education? awards ceremony.
‘I am overwhelmed because there are many, many deserving people here this night, but there is no one more appreciative than myself. It is definitely a very honorable night,? said Hughes at the Saturday, May 17, dinner reception at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.
?(The award) goes back to the people here tonight celebrating with me, (along with) the other mentors that couldn’t be here tonight and the kids, because it’s not me ? the whole thing I submitted was about the team.?
The award program recognizes Michigan public-school teachers who have taken extra steps to inspire students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
‘Our goal is to make a culture change and for students to embrace math, science, and technology,? said Hughes, who teaches with the high school’s OSMtech program. ‘These kids are the future.?
She was awarded first-place plaques for the school and herself, a $15,000 check, a family membership in the Detroit Science Center, and a field trip for her entire class.
Second-place winners were awarded $7,500 and third-place received $3,000. Those earning 4-10 place were given $500 grants.
Hughes plans to use some of her winnings on a Team RUSH robotics project, ‘The Rush Regatta.?
‘A couple students on the Rush team are each going to find someone in the community to sponsor them and become a part of the engineering project. They are going to have to build a boat out of cardboard and duck tape,? said Hughes. ‘It has to float across Deer Lake out to a buoy. We have yet to figure out what the water body is going to be, but the idea is to get the community involved in engineering, math, science and technology.?
Steve Hyer, school board president, said he is glad to have Hughes as a teacher for Clarkston schools.
‘Her mix of talents and passion for what she does, I think differentiates her amongst all her peers,? he said. ‘She’s in the classroom, excited about it. She gets kids excited about math, science and technology in a way that I haven’t seen before.?
Over the past 16 years at Clarkston High School, Hughes has had the opportunity to motivate many students.
‘I will say that Kyle is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met and had the privilege of knowing in my life,? said Shannon Moegling, a former student. ‘She is able to be a wonderful mother, and able to inspire students to do the best that they can and hold a high expectation of themselves to achieve everything that they can and to use the gifts they have been given to make a difference in the world.?
She’s also an inspiration to her family.
‘She’s absolutely phenomenal,? said Dennis Hughes, Kyle’s husband. ‘Even though we’ve been married for as long as we have, she still inspires me everyday.?
The evening included tour of the museum, dinner, dessert, music by Jazz Trio ‘The Fat Cats,? and speeches by Frank Klegon, executive vice president for product development, Chrysler LLC; Frank Fountain, president of Chrysler Foundation; Brian Glowiak, vice president of Chrysler Foundation; Todd Slisher, vice president of science programs, Detroit Science Center; and Andrew Humphrey, weatherman for channel 4, WDIV Detroit.
‘I think with Kyle getting first place, it was absolutely outstanding, I think it was well deserved,? Fountain said. ‘Her team is a role model to the many schools to follow. Teachers are our unsung heroes and they are the ones who really inspire our students to achieve their potential.
‘They understand what teaching is all about, which isn’t just teaching it’s about allowing the students to learn. It’s great to know that right here in our neighborhood of Clarkston that we had the winner of this contest.?
For more information about the robotics team, visit teamrush27.net.