Schools
Joliet Central teacher wins $1,000 “Fuel Your School” donation
Joliet Central High School teacher Mr. Dale West was recently selected as a winner of the "Fuel Your School."
Here is some good news to share! This is just one of our awesome teachers. Also, check out the message of encouragement sent by Mr. West to families today. #JTHSTogether
Joliet Central High School teacher Mr. Dale West was recently selected as a winner of the “Fuel Your School” initiative through an Engineering Podcast in partnership with Chevron and DonorsChoose.org. West will receive $1,000 credit to Donorschoose.org to help offset class expenses.
West regularly plays the Podcast for his students while they work on engineering or architectural projects. About a year ago, West reached out to the hosts of the Podcast asking for some of their stickers for his students. Since then, West has been in touch with them on Twitter, commenting on their recent shows and sharing his classes’ favorite episodes. The hosts recently reached out to West to nominate him for their “Fuel Your School” episode.
West said, “I was very surprised and humbled when I found out I won the ‘Fuel your School’ initiative. My students and I really enjoy the Podcasts. Podcasts have sparked some great conversations in my classroom. I would highly recommend the podcast to any student who is contemplating entering the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), architecture, or engineering fields. I look forward to using the funds to purchase materials for upcoming projects. My students are currently really interested in creating a night/desk lamp with a blue tooth speaker and LED lights. I think we are going to try and purchase the materials for that project in the near future.”
West teaches Introduction to Engineering and Design, Technical CAD, Engineering Graphics, Architecture, and Advanced Drafting at Joliet Central High School. He has also won the 2016 Teacher of the Year through the Illinois Association of Career and Technical and Education, and he also won a merit award for the 2016 Teacher of the Year through the Illinois State Board of Education. His teaching philosophy revolves around a hands-on experience through projects that integrate real world problems and skills. His goal is to provide students with the skills employers are searching for in industry to give them the opportunity of employment right out of high school.
