Natalie Campana

STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School teacher Natalie Campana is flying high after being selected as the 2025-2026 National Project Lead the Way Engineering Teacher of the Year.

PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that has been preparing students for careers, college and lifelong success through hands-on, project-based learning connected to career and technical education. The award recognizes educators who exhibit exemplary leadership and demonstrate a commitment to expanding STEM access while empowering students to develop key transferable and technical skills, and Campana was chosen among nominees from across the country.

She has more than two decades of experience in education and has spent the past 10 years at Steubenville, where she serves as the career-technical education department head and aerospace engineering and aviation teacher. She has taught multimedia and broadcast journalism in grades K-12 public education and is an adviser for the school’s Business Professionals of America chapter. She has close ties to Steubenville City Schools, as an alumna and educator and has been credited with establishing a comprehensive four-year PLTW-aligned AEROSTEM pathway that integrates FAA standards, college partnerships and real-world credentials for students.

Campana said she was surprised by the honor but did not achieve it alone.

“It’s really been a team effort. I work with all of the academic department heads and we have advisory board members who are phenomenal individuals,” she said. “It means we’re doing something great.”

She recognized her faith-based family for guiding her moral compass and cited staff, students, and administrators for supporting her throughout her career, including Superintendent Melinda Young, SHS Principal Aaron Newman and district Director of STEM and Career Technical Education Shana D’Aurora-Wydra. It was the latter who nominated Campana, calling her a “trailblazer” whose innovative ideas inspired students to pursue flight and engineering careers and elevated the visibility of PLTW across the state.

“Natalie has completely transformed what aerospace and aviation education looks like in our district. Through the creation and leadership of our four-year AEROSTEM pathway, she has opened doors for hundreds of students to explore careers in aerospace engineering, aviation technology and flight science. Her program is aligned to PLTW curriculum, FAA standards and post-secondary partnerships giving students real-world credentials, college credit opportunities and authentic learning experiences that few high school students across the country can access,” D’Aurora-Wydra stated in her nomination letter, adding that Campana’s experience as an aviator has enabled her to teach students that the sky’s the limit.

In addition, she noted that Campana has taught courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, mentored fellow educators in PLTW best practices and regularly presented at state and national STEM forums, while her students are earning FAA certifications, completing solo flights and entering post-secondary aviation programs better prepared than many of their college peers.

“She embodies the mission of PLTW, empowering students to thrive in an evolving world through relevant, rigorous and engaging education,” she concluded. “Natalie Campana is an educator of the highest caliber and a true trailblazer in the field of aerospace and aviation education. I wholeheartedly support her nomination for Project Lead the Way Engineering Teacher of the Year and believe she represents the very best of what STEM and CTE education can offer.”

Campana said she utilizes the PLTW curriculum in conjunction with her class lessons.

“Project Lead the Way has been a tremendous addition to the program,” she added. “It matches the curriculum, and the industry standards come from FAA guidelines to become a pilot or air traffic controller. We also do a cross-curriculum with computer science and multimedia programs and work with the school greenhouse.”

A certified private pilot and FAA safety representative, Campana prepares her students to take to the skies through high-tech tools in her classroom, from flight simulators and drone technology to hands-on systems into her classes. Her mentorship has notably increased female student participation and access for underrepresented groups. Subsequently, she partnered with organizations such as the Dean Martin Foundation, Prop Busters RC Club and the Allegheny County Flight Standards District Office and secured grant funding, expanded hands-on learning opportunities, and connected students directly with aviation professionals — creating a model for sustainable, community-embedded STEM education.

She has seen many alumni chart similar paths as they went on to study at Ohio State University, Ohio University and the University of Cincinnati or joined the military.

“I’ve always had a passion for aviation, and I believe in what’s best for the students to continue onward. I learned at Steubenville City Schools to never stop believing,” she continued. “There are people who want you to be the best you can be; that’s what we do. It’s about giving back and making the most for the kids so they have a brighter future, and they can start any of the career-tech or College Credit Plus programs without leaving school. The program is doing what it set out to do and helps students set their career and find their ambition.”

David Dimmett, the president and CEO of PLTW, said the distinction exemplifies how educators can make an extraordinary impact beyond the classroom.

“Every day, educators show up to make an important and life-changing difference in the lives of young people in communities all across our country. They build on students’ natural curiosity and inspire confidence while helping prepare them for a range of life opportunities and experiences,” said Dimmett. “PLTW is proud to honor and celebrate extraordinary educators each year through our national awards program.”

PLTW recognizes exceptional teachers and administrators from across its national network whose leadership and dedication play a vital role in equipping students to succeed in college, careers, and life.