Bellingham Technical College diesel technology instructor Jeff Curtis was presented with an Educator of the Year award at the Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo last month in Kansas. It’s an annual expo held for professionals in the automotive industry. Curtis was at the expo to teach a class called “Students Break Things,” which focuses on how to create positive learning experiences for students while they struggle with new concepts, and occasionally break things.

The Educator of the Year award is given to an instructor who has demonstrated innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to their program and students.