Linda Barney, Barney and Associates

TechStart provides annual awards to three K-12 computer science teachers and a boy and girl high school student. Each TechStart Technology Teacher of the Year receives a cash award of $1,000 for their classroom to spend on tech education materials including hardware, software, services, or curriculum.

In 2024, Jacob Niebergall of Sunset School in Coos Bay, Oregon, received the Technology Teacher of the Year for grades K-8. He teaches a sixth-grade course which introduces students to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) concepts in an interactive fun way. His curriculum introduces students to innovative computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) concepts. Students get hands-on experience using tools such as computer aided design, game design, paper circuits, and robots to help them understand the concepts. In addition to his classroom work, Niebergall delivers workshops on using generative AI in education and is active in crafting public policies relating to the use of GenAI.

The following video shows how Niebergall spent the 2024 cash award to aid his students. He used the funding to purchase equipment such as an Ozobot, cricut device, heat press, a laser cutter, a 3D printer, and 3D spools. “The donation from TechStart has resulted in $10,000 more funding from other organizations based on the legitimacy of the 2024 TechStart award,” states Niebergall.