WoodLINKS honors Missouri instructor

Robert Studdard, a wood manufacturing design instructor at Rolla Technical Institute in Rolla, Mo., was selected as Educator of the Year by WoodLINKS U.S.A. The annual award goes to a high school shop instructor who has surpassed what peer industry leaders expect in today's classroom.

Studdard is in his 15th year at the school, which specializes in industrial education and is run in conjunction with the local public school system. Previously, he operated a small shop.

Mark Smith, national director of WoodLINKS U.S.A., praised Studdard for revising the school's curriculum and updating its equipments. That includes incorporating the WoodLINKS curriculum, which has increased vocational opportunities for students since 2005.

For information, visit www.woodlinksusa.org.