TEACHING AWARD
HUTTO — A former editor and publisher of the Taylor Press now teaching media skills at Hutto High School is a nominee for a top state education award. Jason Hennington, a Taylor native, is the Career and Technical Association of Texas Area IV nominee for “New Teacher of the Year.”
He is a career and technical education teacher at the campus. “I was surprised because I didn’t expect it,” Hennington said. “I’m blessed to have students who are engaged and want to learn.”
There are 12 areas in the CTAT, each having a nominee for the state award.
To be eligible, educators must have five years or less in the classroom. After working 11 years at the Press, Hennington began his teaching career in the fall of 2024.
Campus colleagues had high praise for the newly minted educator, according to a prepared release.
“Jason has made an immediate impact on our students and program,” said Travis Clark, Hutto Independent School District director of career and technical education. “His ability to connect classroom learning to real-world application is exactly what high-quality CTE programs strive to achieve.”
Hennington’s students serve as the media team for community events, working with real clients, managing projects and producing professional quality content, educators said.
His journalism experience helped create a program that includes photography, graphic design and principles of digital media, said Hennington, a graduate of Sul Ross University.
“I want to help students realize and reach their highest potential,” he added.
Next up is an interview for the state award. If he advances, regional and national recognition could follow.
