Dan Aktas has an excitement about him when he starts talking 3D printing. And engineering. And all things art. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Aktas, an art and technology teacher at Pine Bush High School, was named the High School Art Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020 from the New York State Art Teachers Association, Region 7.

“I am so honored to receive the Region 7 New York State High School Art Teacher of the Year recognition. I received this recognition in large part for the 3D printing art class I developed here at the high school called Art & Fabrication,” said Aktas. “I am very excited to continue working with all of the teachers and administrators who feel so strongly about supporting students through our art and manufacturing programs.”

“Dan is an amazing teacher who is always looking to create authentic projects to keep his students engaged.”

–  PBHS Principal Aaron Hopmayer

An art teacher heard Aktas speak at a conference and was so impressed by him, his passion about art and technology and his skill that she nominated him for the distinction, noting that he developed and implemented “the first fine art 3D printing course at Pine Bush called Art & Fabrication to support students’ creativity with digital manufacturing equipment.”

Aktas received his bachelor of fine arts in Ceramics at SUNY New Paltz while exploring digital printing technologies and his Masters at NYU Steinhardt for Art Education with an emphasis on social justice.

“Dan is an amazing teacher who is always looking to create authentic projects to keep his students engaged,” said Aaron Hopmayer, principal of Pine Bush High School. “Annually he works with the elementary and middle school students to expose them to the exciting opportunities that await them in high school.”