CTECS Names Teacher of the Year

Steven Orloski, a manufacturing instructor at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School, located in Ansonia, CT, is the 2019 the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Teacher of the Year, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Jeffery Wihbey announced today.

“Mr. Orloski is a teacher who goes the ‘extra mile’ in every sense,” said Superintendent Wihbey. “He’s readily accessible to students and colleagues; he seeks outs opportunities for students to grow personally and professionally; and he implements cutting edge instructional and learning strategies that lead to student success. I am honored to recognize him as the 2019 CTECS Teacher of the Year.”

Orloski is a graduate of the CTECS system, having attended Bullard-Havens Technical High School’s Machine Tool and Die program in the 1980’s. His professional manufacturing career includes a Toolmaker Apprenticeship with Bremser Technologies, and experience at U.S. Baird Corp., Sikorsky Aircraft, and Inline Plastics Corp. He returned to teach for the technical high schools in 2004.

“I am completely honored and humbled to receive this amazing award,” said Orloski. “It has been a remarkable experience for me to work in the same technical high school system that brought me so many rewarding and memorable experiences.”

“Steve was a student of mine when I first started teaching,” said Ed Leavy, President, State Vocational Federation of Teachers. “Even then, he was motivated, dedicated to his trade, and always willing to help others. Those qualities have made him a perfect representative for the teachers in our system.”

As a manufacturing instructor, Orloski provides students with advanced instruction and training in the use of measuring tools, materials types, advanced lathe and mill operations, CNC programing, Cam software, and more. Students receive instruction in safety requirements and technology-related mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary, and blueprint reading.

L to R – Kris Lorch, Alloy Engineering; Laurie LeBouthillier, Principal Emmett O’Brien; Steve Orloski; Kathy Saint, Schwerdtle; Jeffrey Wihbey, Superintendent; Paul Angelucci, SVFT Vice-President

“As Teacher of the Year, my message [to teachers] is to always provide continuous reflection and improvement,” said Orloski. “Continuously find better ways to help students develop their critical thinking skills and motivate them to want to learn more on their own.”

“Mr. Orloski is student focused and driven to ensure students learn the necessary skills to work in the manufacturing industry,” said Emmett O’Brien Technical High School Principal Laurie LeBouthillier. “He collaborates with manufacturing companies and links students with those companies for the Work-based Learning program.”

“I have the opportunity to not only instruct my students, but also place them in high paying manufacturing careers where they can become successful and financially independent,” said Orloski. “In today’s industry the career opportunities are endless.”

Orloski finds ways to give back to others in the community outside of school as well. He volunteers with the Special Olympics, little league baseball, and pop warner football; reads at the local library; serves food to the homeless at the Beth El Shelter; helps clean the Housatonic River bank; and participates in the Walk for a Cure. He also mentors elementary school students who are interested in the manufacturing field.

“Now I have come full circle,” said Orloski. “I had the opportunity to graduate, work in the manufacturing trade, and buy my first home all by 20 years old. This was all made possible by Connecticut’s technical high schools.”
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