Warsaw Teacher Wins Technology AwardWithin a week's time, Warsaw Community High School teacher Abbi Montgomery Richcreek went from getting married to receiving a prestigious educators award.
While attending the Engineering Technology Educators of Indiana conference Sept. 25 in Indianapolis, a week after her marriage, Richcreek was named the recipient of the John E. Gray Memorial Meritorious Teaching Award.
"I was and do feel very honored," Richcreek said Thursday. "I was very surprised. I feel grateful that the Warsaw Area Career Center supports me and my ideas. I feel like I work for great people, high school and career center."
The award is in recognition of Richcreek's qualifications, according to information provided. The qualifications are professional preparation, attitude, interest in community and school relationship, occupational alertness, pupil relationship and proficiency in instruction responsibilities. This is one of the highest honors that a middle school or high school technology teacher can receive in the state.
"I feel like I'm expected to continue to do diverse projects and promote technology education in whatever I do," Richcreek said.
The award was presented to Richcreek by the state level organization of the ETEI. She said the officers of the organization decided to award it to her.
"I have been active in that organization for my whole career," Richcreek said.
She has been a teacher for seven years, with the past four years at WCHS. At the high school, Richcreek teaches communication systems, communication processes, computer repair and digital electronics. Next school year, she will begin teaching biotechnology engineering as part of the Project Lead the Way curriculum.
Richcreek received her undergraduate degree at Ball State University, and her graduate degree at Colorado State. She majored in manufacturing technology and construction management with an emphasize in technology education.
Through a grant, she interned at Zimmer in summer 2009 to "understand more how engineers work in orthopedics." Richcreek said she wants more orthopedic companies' feedback to help her strengthen the curriculum of courses she teaches.
Besides teaching, Richcreek also is an advisor to the student council. This year, she also started a robotics club at the high school. Zimmer and Biomet have helped with the purchase of three robots.
"I am working with them to bring in engineers to work with the students to prepare for the tournament in November," Richcreek said.
"I'm always up for trying anything new because I feel like I'm never perfect, and I want to get feedback and try something new," she said. "I'm always changing the curriculum because I want to get better. I like hands-on projects because it's something the students can cheat on and it helps them learn better."
Richcreek said her classes have done many different hands-on projects, including geo-caching and working with geosynchronous positioning systems.
"My classes are all project based," she said.
Senior Karissa Plank was in Richcreek's communication systems class.
"She uses a lot of examples and makes sure you get it. She lets you do it on your own at first, but then she makes sure you've done it correctly and you get it," Plank said. "Most teachers just sit there and lecture, but a lot of students are more visual and auditory based, so the hands-on helps a lot."
