BOARDMAN — Finding new and unique outlets to keep students engaged in learning is something that Tim Harker has done throughout his teaching career.

Using the coronavirus pandemic as an example, he said that educators have been challenged to find new ways to grab students’ interest.

“Some of the things kids will really take to,” Harker said. “I think people have stumbled upon new technology ways to reach the kids.”

Such thinking is why Harker, a STEM teacher at Boardman Glenwood Junior High School, was recently named Teacher of the Year for Ohio District 8, which is comprised of 12 counties, including Mahoning and Columbiana. He’s one of a select group of 11 educators from across the state recognized at July’s end by the Ohio Department of Education for their contributions in and outside of the classroom.

“I was really surprised and honored that, first of all I got nominated, and second, that I was named for District 8,” he said.

Harker, 52, is a native of and lives in Boardman, and attended Youngstown State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in educational administration.

FULL CIRCLE

Coming full circle from his student days, Harker said that “it was really wonderful” being able to work in the district where he grew up. He even got to call some of his former teachers “co-worker” for a time.

For his entire 24-year teaching career, Harker has been in the Boardman district. When he learned he was a finalist for the district award, he said he had to fill out paperwork that included updating his resume — something he hadn’t done in more than 20 years.

A STEM position became available in the school district, which Harker applied for and landed six years ago. Before that, he was a language arts teacher.

“I always got into bringing technology to the students,” he said.

When he made the transition to STEM, Harker researched a maker space. Slowly, he began bringing various tools from his aging dad’s inventory.

Over the years, the space has built itself up, he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of donations. It’s worked out pretty well,” he said.

Overseeing the Boardman Maker’s Club, Harker said 3-D printing has been a big activity.

“It’s a wonderful thing. You can create something you can use” within a couple of hours, he said.

He began watching tutorials on 3-D printing, learning to design and print various items.

Then, he and several colleagues attended a “boot camp” in Warren, where the team built and used 3-D printers, which they were able to keep. The district has six total.

Guiding the students in class and in the club, Harker said he helps them along the way until their projects are completed.

PRINTING PPE

During the beginning of the pandemic, Harker, along with a group of others, began printing PPE from home. It was donated to teachers and orders for more also were taken.

“There were some days I was putting out 35 (face shield) frames a day,” he said.

The demand stopped when summer started, Harker said.

Summer is typically busy for the teacher.

He plays saxophone and clarinet, and jams with Easy Street Productions in Youngstown.

That came to a halt this year due to the pandemic.

He also previously helped at OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology in downtown Youngstown.

When he isn’t teaching or finding ways to donate his spare time, Harker enjoys mountain biking and spending time with wife, Stephanie.

They have daughter Jackie, a sophomore at Kent State University, and son James, who recently graduated from Capital University in Columbus.

Harker doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon, even with his career.

“I still enjoy” teaching, he said.

afox@tribtoday.com