TEMPLE, Texas — Travis Science Academy STEM teacher Maribeth Brown is one of only 103 teachers across the U.S. to earn the 2024-25 Outstanding Project Lead The Way (PTLW) Teacher Award, which recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, while expanding access to PLTW programs and transforming teaching.
Project Lead The Way is honoring Brown for her work in the PLTW Gateway pathway at Travis Science Academy. Brown has been a teacher at Travis for five years and teaches design and modeling and automation and robotics courses in the engineering pathway, innovators and makers and app creators courses in the computer science pathway, along with a principles of information technology class for students in seventh and eighth grades. She has taught in Temple ISD for 12 years and is in her 22nd year of teaching overall. This is the fourth time in Brown’s career that she has earned a Project Lead The Way Teacher of the Year honor.
“Mrs. Brown is a dedicated and passionate STEM teacher who goes above and beyond in her role at the middle school,” said Dr. Kasey Blomquist, principal of Travis Science Academy. “Her enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is palpable, and she engages her students in ways that inspire and motivate them. Through innovative teaching methods, and a focus on exploration, Mrs. Brown ensures that her students are well-prepared for future success. Her commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment makes her an invaluable asset to Travis Science Academy. By nurturing curiosity and encouraging hands-on learning, she educates and empowers her students to reach their full potential.”
Brown focused on the joy the students get from the courses as one of the highlights of her teaching year. Those students have the opportunity to collaborate and work as a team to learn the soft skills that will help them as they move on to Temple High School and then into the real world. She was able to tie classroom projects to her students’ real-life experience, including units that saw the students build projects related to Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month. The projects either highlighted something related to those cultures or on artifacts relating to inventions created by Hispanic or Black inventors. The courses also give students a chance to explore and expand on their learning as part of Travis Science Academy’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.
“I feel truly blessed, not just for me, but to have Travis and the district recognized for the great things that happen here,” Brown said. “The students work really hard, and I feel like I give them the opportunity to work together and to talk, learn new things, and try new things. It is fun to watch them light up and to really enjoy the classes.”
Each year PLTW honors outstanding teachers and administrators from across the network who play an immeasurable role in preparing students to thrive in college, future careers and beyond. Learn more about the PLTW National Awards at www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/national-awards/national-awards.
"One of the most important things we do at Project Lead The Way is recognize and celebrate impactful teaching and learning. Educators across our network are helping students become engaged in their learning, while preparing them for careers and their future," said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We recognize their exceptional leadership and congratulate them for making an impact, not only on their students, but within their school communities.”