Alex Kuykendall, a robotics and esports teacher at Grapevine High School, has been named the Career and Technical Educators of North Texas (CTENT) Teacher of the Year.
The CTENT Teacher of the Year award recognizes the finest career and technical teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Kuykendall is utilizing innovation to set the standard for professionalism and expectations in robotics and esports. In his work with esports, he has built a culture of inclusivity within CTE and is serving as one of the first educators to offer esports as a course. He is also coaching esports outside of the classroom, and under his coaching, the GHS Esports Team was able to earn a state championship. He is also serving other CTE educators by helping them grow their esports programs.
He uses this avenue to connect with students that did not feel like they had a place in school, much less in CTE. Student involvement in CTE/ esports is inspiring them to want to be a part of the school community and focus on their academic achievement as well. Kuykendall and his esports program are paving the way for students that needed a "why" to have clear goals for their future.
With this award, Kuykendall is now eligible for the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) Teacher of the Year award.