Clarkston High School-CSMTech Academy, Math and Technology - 13 years with FIRST
What we've heard about Ms. Hughes:
“Mrs. Hughes should be the winner of this award because she is the only teacher that has inspired me to do my best in FIRST robotics and in my math and science classes.” In 1994, Mrs. Hughes founded the Clarkston Science, Mathematics and Technology Academy – CSMTech (for students with high interest in math, science and technology). Mrs. Hughes supervised moving the program to new owner (Clarkston Schools) and watched it flourish (200% growth in 4 years). In 1997, Mrs. Hughes, also founded the FIRST robotics Team R.U.S.H. (Respect, Unit, Spirit and Heart). By building a world-class robot and a world-class team, Mrs. Hughes encourages students to “do what is right”, “lead by example” and “attitude is a choice”. Believing dedication to students is the first step in changing our culture to one that celebrates learning, responsibility, math, science, and technology -- Mrs. Hughes prepares future leaders who will strive to make the US economy better. She achieves this by communicating the importance of engineering/technology from K through 12th grades and beyond. Leading a team that motivates students to change their world and improve the future through engineering and technology. This is accomplished by designing/building a competitive robot, teamwork, and training in leadership/business. Students focus on community outreach, corporate partnerships and careers in engineering or technology that will improve the future economy.
Developed over 13 years with continuous improvement, Mrs. Hughes has created an after school robotics team that exponentially goes beyond building a competitive robot. RUSH students serve their community and state. 100% go on to college. They are sent into the world with strong business leadership skills and a belief that their future decisions and actions will be critical toward improving the state/US economy and world environment. Success of the program is evident by 120% team growth over the past three years, numerous awards and successful community outreach. Former students remaining committed to goals is seen by 90% of alumni working in engineering or technology, as well as, 30% of RUSH mentors are returning team members. Through community outreach and working with elementary/middle school students, RUSH students connect to the real world believing they represent the future.
RUSH is successful because Mrs. Hughes focuses attention on:
TECHNICAL TRAINING: Machining, electrical, pneumatics, mechanisms training, and programming. BUSINESS SKILLS: Time and project management, goal setting, networking, and presentation skills.
FUNDRAISING: Families assist in 50% of our $68,000 annual budget – with buy-in to team success.
COMMUNITY: Individually, members donate 15 hours of community service. As a team, they serve in many ways including sponsoring a special needs softball team, assisting with the local Chamber as well as supporting the world community with green initiatives.
TEAMWORK: Students learn that this is critical to reach common goals. They work together year round on many non-competitive initiatives – open houses (for sponsors), Adopt-a-Road and presentations to community leaders.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Students experience stress management in handling multiple challenges, objectives and intense schedules. A retreat during the off-season includes training in personalities, communication and leadership. Spending any length of time with the students you observe: • Enthusiasm for engineering/technology • RUSH core values: Respect, Unity, Spirit, Heart • Motto ….Fail Faster, Learn More, Focus and Execute! • Attitude is a choice! • Having fun! RUSH is uniquely self-sustaining: • Before graduation students recruit, mentor and train someone of equal or greater skills to take their place. • Within ten years of graduation alumni agree to give back to the community in technology/engineering. • Alumni return to mentor the team, start the cycle again, and inspire others.
In 2008, Mrs. Hughes publicized her school’s efforts by winning the Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education award. Mrs. Hughes in turn ensured the student’s recognition by obtaining approval for RUSH members to receive varsity letter in ROBOTICS! RUSH continually reaches and inspires elementary/middle school students by presenting at schools, holding Robotics days, Solar Saturdays, Boy Scout/Girl Scout Engineering Badge Days (attended by 180 scouts), and Lego League camps each summer. Mrs. Hughes has personally held camps for rookie coaches to develop new Robotics teams (instantly impacting 26 teams and 80+ individuals). Mrs. Hughes once said, “When competing or working, you should always give it your all and leave it on the field”. She inspires us to do this through her teaching us the lessons of the geese, colors training, FISH and 212 degrees."
“She should be the winner of this award because she pushes everyone to the brink of exhaustion and back – to show what them what they are capable of. She believes that we can do whatever we set our mind to (even when we don’t think we can) … and 99.9% of the time, she is right.”
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What we've heard about Ms. Hughes:
