Hanford High Teacher Honored by the Washington Industrial Technology Education Association

Hanford High School teacher Ed Ufford has been named Teacher of the Year by the Washington Industrial Technology Education Association (WITEA). He has also been awarded the Ken Pattie Award for 25 years or more of teaching.

Ufford has spent the last 30 years educating Career and Technical Education (CTE) students at Hanford High in a variety of manufacturing and woodworking classes. His current course load includes Wood/Manufacturing Technology, Digital Design & Fabrication and Core + Metals Manufacturing Technology classes, all of which require a high level of expertise and technical skill to teach.

With a deep understanding of the importance of hands-on learning experiences, Ufford is dedicated to enhancing the industrial technology curriculum at Hanford.

In the 2020-21 school year, Ufford worked with administrators to secure a grant to bring a new course to Hanford High, Core + Metals Manufacturing Technology. This hands-on course introduces students to the world of aerospace manufacturing, preparing them for career in some of Washington state’s top industrial sector.

“Ed works tirelessly to help students find success, their place, and their passion,” said Hanford High CTE Broadcasting teacher Cheyenne LaViolette. “You’ll find him in the shop [classroom] after hours and even over the break leading up to Christmas so his students can complete gifts for their families.”

In addition to his exceptional work within the school community, Ufford is also an advocate for bringing new STEM programs to schools across the nation.

He works as a guitar and ukulele building instructor, traveling around the United States training wood technology to teachers on how to get guitar building programs off the ground in their schools.

This past summer he hosted a STEM Ukulele Building workshop at Hanford for educators from across Washington state.

“The STEM Ukulele Building workshop really aims to empower educators with the skills and knowledge to create an interactive learning environment for students,” said Ufford. “By combining the joy of music with STEM education, this initiative hopes to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers.”

Through his dynamic teaching methods and mentorship, Ufford has cultivated a learning environment where students, and fellow educators, can thrive and excel, making him a deserving recipient of the WITEA Teacher of the Year.