A Normal West high school teacher got a big surprise this week. April Schermann was named Computer Science Teacher of the Year by Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit network supporting STEM education. PLTW staff traveled from Indiana and Pennsylvania to present the award in her classroom, joined by principal Angie Codron and special guests from State Farm's STEM internship program.
Schermann was especially touched by students’ testimonials, some of which were read out loud as part of the award presentation.
“Sometimes teaching and coaching are thankless professions,” Schermann said. “So, when we can actually hear from students about the impact we’ve made, it means a lot.”
Schermann remembers the moment AOL Messenger made it possible to talk to her friends online. She was 14.
“Now we have students who have no idea what not having GPS or not having a cell phone is like,” she said.
The teenagers in Schermann’s classes learn about coding and AI. In addition to teaching math and computer science, she leads an extracurricular coding club for girls and young women and runs a CyberPatriot team for students aspiring to careers in cybersecurity.
“Many of them will take careers or jobs that don’t exist right now,” Schermann said. “That’s how fast things are changing.”
Project Lead the Way offers professional development for teachers whose computer science educations were vastly different from the technology they bring into their classrooms.
“Today, every company is a tech company and potentially a tech community,” said PLTW CEO David Dimmett. “We’re looking at ways we can prepare and reimagine the experience for students.”
According to Dimmett, Schermann’s work has been exemplary both in Normal and as a master teacher with Project Lead the Way.
“Students don’t just want to sit in a classroom and be talked to,” he said. “What’s wonderful about April’s classroom is that students are in charge of their learning.”
Looking back on her career, Schermann said the curriculum is not the only thing that has changed.
“Nine years ago when I started teaching computer science, I had one girl in my AP Computer Science class,” she said. “If you look at this class, it’s over half girls.”
Following the award presentation, Normal West students lined the hallways to cheer on Schermann as she made a victory lap through the school. Members of her coding class followed in the parade, ringing cowbells, ending with a cupcake reception.
This is just the latest in a long list of awards Schermann has received. She was named outstanding teacher of the year in 2016 by Women in STEM and received recognition as an innovative educator from Disney's 100 Teachers in 2023. As varsity softball coach, Schermann has racked up eight regional championships and sent 14 players to Division I collegiate teams. Even with all those accolades, this one from Project Lead the Way is special.
“When I first heard about this company, I knew we had to get this in Unit 5,” said Schermann. “They see the bigger picture with STEM education. It means a lot coming from such a big organization to be the one teacher that is recognized this year.”
