Two original content pieces about the Maker Movement struck a chord with SmartBrief readers this year. Our readers voted and chose two winners for SmartBrief’s first annual Educators’ Choice Content Awards. Makers in the Classroom: A How-To Guide by Aaron Vanderwerff and Project-Based Learning Through a Maker’s Lens by Patrick Waters were chosen from among 20 original content pieces written by educators, for educators.
Earlier this year, SmartBrief Education editors introduced the Editor’s Choice Content Awards, a monthly program honoring two original content pieces that inspired readers to engage, innovate and discuss. Last month, we asked readers to pick their favorite of the 20 stories; nearly 3,000 voted. In addition, members of ASCD’s Emerging Leaders program — a group of diverse, forward-thinking educators — weighed in on their top picks.
Aaron Vanderwerff is a K-12 makerspace and science coordinator at Lighthouse Community Charter School in Oakland, Calif.
“I am honored to be recognized by my peers who are helping us to elevate awareness of the importance of Making in education,” Vanderwerff said. “At the Lighthouse Creativity Lab we are thrilled to watch our diverse group of kids innovate and stretch themselves creatively as they Make in their classes.”
“This recognition comes at a time when our professional development opportunities at Lighthouse and online resources are sought after by educators — evidence that interest in hands-on education is making a comeback. Thank you for your support!”
Patrick Waters is middle- and high-school educator at The Monarch School in Houston, Texas.
“Thanks to SmartBrief for reading my work and thinking it was something special,” Waters said. “PBL is such a great way of engaging so many learners and teachers into the learning process. It truly lets students see that learning isn’t just a thing they do in school, but a principle for life.”
Both educators will be honored during a reception at the ASCD Annual Conference in March.
Learn more about the other nominees on our blog.
Check out the two stories selected in November as the Editor’s Choice Content Award winners. If you have an original content piece you’d like to be considered for the Editor’s Choice Content Awards, please contact us.