Renee Sweeney Named Teacher of the Year for Real-World STEM Teaching

Renee Sweeney walked into her AP Physics class on October 20th and had no idea she was about to win a major award. She received the 2026 Massachusetts PLTW Community Teacher of the Year honor during the fall conference. The announcement came while she sat quietly at her desk, completely unaware of the surprise.

Project Lead the Way is a nonprofit founded by educators that teaches students valuable skills in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. Sweeney began using their curriculum seven years ago with courses named Introduction to Engineering and Principles of Engineering. These early classes focused on hands-on problem solving and real applications.

Her students thrive when they see physics connected to actual problems. For instance, one group was tasked with designing stackable cartons for a struggling bakery. They had to protect treats and reduce waste while meeting industry standards. This type of project proves that classroom learning can directly improve the world around us.

Principal Charles Jendrysik shared a warm video praising Sweeney and her dedicated team. Assistant Principal Lauren Cadigan also put forward her recommendation for the award. Cadigan herself was once recognized as the Massachusetts PLTW Leader of the Year. The entire educational community celebrates teachers who break away from textbooks and bring genuine industry expertise into high school labs.