Tormach Announces Recipient of the 2024 Instructor of the Year Award

Tormach Inc. recently presented its 2024 Instructor of the Year Award to Danielle Ward, a teacher with an innovative approach and passion for hands-on learning. Ward teaches at Hilldale High School in  Muskogee, Oklahoma. This award recognizes Ward’s contributions to STEM education and her advanced approach to teaching.

“I loved tinkering with things and any lesson involving hands-on work,” Ward explains. “In 2011, I began teaching at Hilldale and set out to bring robotics to our school. We started VEX V5 in 2015 with three teams and today we have eight teams competing. Our principal, Darren Riddle, asked me to lead the STEM Lab for our middle school, and later our high school.”

Ward’s impact extends beyond technical skills, as she aims to foster a creative and engaging learning environment. “My class is a computer science course required for graduation and students take it without knowing what to expect,” Ward notes. “We have printed animals with animation, designed their dream room using blueprints and then 3D printed and painted them. We have designed miniature putt-putt courses and played nine holes in the hallway, laser engraved coasters and keychains, made signs with slogans and created banners for our Special Olympic kids to take to the state event. We’ve also made senior banners, created marble roller coasters from cardboard, designed and flown kites and much more.”

Ward has integrated Tormach’s xsTech tabletop CNC routers into her curriculum, providing students with practical, hands-on experience. “We currently have four xsTech routers in our High School lab,” she says. “Every nine weeks, my students rotate through different curricula, including the xsTech and Dremel 3D45 printers, earning certifications that prepare them for future careers.”

Ward’s success at Hilldale High School is bolstered by the partnership between Tormach and the NC3, a non-profit organization that supports nearly 2,000 secondary and post-secondary institutions worldwide. Through this partnership, Ward’s students have access to current and relevant curriculum, including the xsTech or 24R CNC router certification from NC3. These certifications can provide students with a solid foundation in CNC fundamentals, enhancing their job readiness and aligning with industry standards.

Ward notes that the program’s biggest impact on students in Muskogee, a city abundant with manufacturing opportunities, is their success in securing jobs in local manufacturing businesses after graduation. The xsTech is said to have given students a solid foundation in CNC machining, equipping them with essential job skills for the workforce. Additionally, some students have pursued engineering degrees at local universities and received scholarships for completing the STEM course.

Ward’s vision for the future of STEM education is one of inclusivity and opportunity. “I envision the barriers for women in STEM to keep decreasing. Females empowering other females is important and I hope I can continue to do that. I see more women teaching in STEM fields, allowing more doors to open. The message I want to share with educators and students is to invest in STEM education. Students, never underestimate what you can do. STEM is fun, exciting, creative and hands-on. If you can imagine it, you can make it happen.”