Academy of Health Careers Doherty-Koch PLTW National Teach of the Year

CRHS’s Danielle Doherty-Koch awarded the Project Lead the Way Robert and Patricia Kern Teacher of the Year Award.

It was an honor for my wife Thomasine and I to be at the Academy of Health Careers CRHS to honor Danielle Doherty-Koch who received the prestigious Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Robert and Patricia Kern National Teacher of the Year Award from among all the 12,000 PLTW programs and teachers nationwide.

Both of our children were students of Ms. Doherty-Koch in the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Career’s PLTW BioMedical Track. She and the whole Academy of Health Careers, and CRHS team played a significate role in their success. This honor is evidence of the high-quality rigorous career preparation programs that are offered in our schools.

Citrus High School also has a PLTW program at the CHS Academy of Computer Science.

(Below is the Citrus County Schools official press release on this outstanding achievement.)

CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS: Crystal River High School teacher Danielle Doherty-Koch has earned the 2021-22 Robert and Patricia Kern Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, expanding access to PLTW programs, and transforming teaching. Danielle was chosen from nominations received from across the country.

PLTW is honoring Danielle for her work in the PLTW Biomedical Science pathway. Danielle has been a teacher at Crystal River High School for 10 years and teaches Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovation.

This afternoon, district and school administrators, school board members, city dignitaries, and dozens of her biomedical students, attended a small celebration for Danielle to recognize this great achievement.

“Teachers and educational leaders perform one of the most critical functions in our society, and we are proud to work with these outstanding educators who are leaders in their classrooms and across the PLTW network,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. “Congratulations and thank you for your partnership in a shared commitment to empower our students to thrive in our evolving world even amidst the most challenging and unprecedented of times.” 

Mrs. Doherty-Koch’s PLTW Biomedical Science students are on track to attend college in a medical pathway. Over 100 PLTW Biomedical Science students have completed the program since 2015, and 91 percent have gone to college. A total of 81 students have taken the Biotechnician Assistant Certification Exam with 54 passing, a pass rate of 67 percent.

PLTW recognizes outstanding teachers who inspire, engage, and empower their students by creating transformative learning experiences in their classrooms through PLTW programs.

Congratulations, Danielle!  You’re a shining example of the Citrus County School District.

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