AFA Texas Chapter 416 Selects 2026 Teacher of the Year

Joel Pitts, a teacher at the Greenville Early College High School, has been selected as AFA’s Northeast Texas Chapter 416 Teacher of the Year.

Pitts is a proven performer who takes students from the beginning to a successful end. He prepares his students for the future and does it by giving them the tools to build a foundation that drives success. His quiet leadership, knack for inspiring students, and supporting them as needed has been a proven formula for educational success. AFA416 has worked with Pitts for many years, and was been a runner-up winner for the award in 2019.

Pitts is a veteran who served his nation and continues to do so by pouring back into students to ensure we are able to build a strong industrial base, leading to a strong national defense. He does this by teaching engineering that the high school. Students are provided with dual credit along with career-based certifications with numerous STEM-based careers influenced by this training. He takes students through Principles of Engineering, Engineering Design, Engineering Science, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology. The hands-on training, weekends, and late nights, produced a car that took the students to Australia to race in the Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge. 

“No other high school has ever competed in the World Solar Car Challenge,” said Pitts, “but we built a car, raised funds – some given by AFA416 – and travelled to Australia to compete.”

This type of innovation, drive, and push to break boundaries are what set Pitts apart from many other teachers. AFA Chapter 416 is proud to name him their 2026 Teacher of the Year.