McKenna Akane has earned an Outstanding Teacher Award from Project Lead The Way, which recognizes teachers who inspire, engage and empower their students with transformative classroom learning experiences.

"One of the most important things we do at Project Lead The Way is to recognize and celebrate impactful teaching and learning. Educators across our network are helping students become engaged in their learning, while preparing them for careers and their future," said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW president and CEO. "We recognize their exceptional leadership and congratulate them for making an impact, not only on their students, but within their school communities.” 

The organization was created by teachers and is led by educators and is an ally of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which is a way of integrating these crucial areas into a holistic approach to learning and problem-solving.

Project Lead The Way equips preschool through 12th-grade students for a STEM-driven world with teacher-empowered curriculums in computer science, engineering, biomedical science and more. For over 25 years, the curriculum coupled with its best-in-class professional development has supported teachers in creating an environment to make every student STEM successful. 

As a national nonprofit organization,  Project Lead The Way reaches 2.5 million students in elementary, middle and high schools in all 50 states, with over 100,000 trained teachers nationwide.

 “Mrs. Akane is an exceptional Project Lead The Way teacher for grades K-8 that ignites curiosity, nurtures creativity, and makes complex concepts accessible and exciting. By blending hands-on learning with real-world applications, she empowers young minds to see possibilities, dream big, and build the foundation for a future fueled by innovation,” reports Alberton School Principal Chris Whiteman. 

Akane has been a teacher at Alberton School for two years and teaches Project Lead The Way courses for students in grades K-8 with recent accomplishments as 2024 Discovery Education Teacher of the Year and 2024 SHAPE MT Rookie Teacher of the Year. Project Lead The Way honored Akane for her work in the Launch and Gateway pathways at the Project Lead The Way National Awards in San Diego during the week Alberton School held their homecoming activities.