When engineering teacher Andrew Bachman was a high school student in Northeast Philadelphia, his wrestling coach picked him and several other students to train in his garage during the off season, paid for him to attend wrestling camp, and even taught him how to drive.​

“That’s what made me want to become a teacher,” he says, of his wrestling coach’s over-sized positive influence on students. “I always knew I needed to give back. My way to give back is with time and opportunity. Letting the students know that I’m here for them, and then being here for them.” ​

It’s 3:00 p.m. at Pottstown High School. The school day ended over an hour ago, but Andrew sticks around to meet with students in his Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to work on an ongoing project, Destination Rupert. By extending WiFi and building shelters at nearby Rupert Elementary School, where many of the high school students’ siblings attend, Destination Rupert will provide outdoor learning opportunities and summer programming, as well as a place for community members to gather year-round.​

“There's four other teachers still here,” says Andrew. Many of his colleagues carry his passion for volunteering their time. “We have people that want to come back and give back.” ​

Teaching in Pottstown, a once-booming industrial hub until factory shutdowns in the 1980’s, allows Andrew to evoke student awareness on the issues in their community—many students come from economically-disadvantaged families, where getting a ride to an after-school job or participating in extracurriculars is challenging. ​

He encourages them to solve problems through an engineering lens: “Problem identification. Do your research investigation. Go ahead and brainstorm ideas. Pick the best solution.” This year, the students identified a lack of serviceable outdoor space. Their solution? Destination Rupert, using their 2020 WE Are Innovators cash prize as funding. ​

In the past, this methodology has helped Andrew’s students place as finalists in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Challenge and Governor’s STEM Competition for their engineering projects. Some of his former students are now enrolled in the Naval Academy.​

For Andrew, giving back is a straight-forward formula: offer your time and show students that opportunity breeds opportunity. In his CTE program, students meet and job shadow engineers and industry professionals who exemplify the future they can pursue. Andrew hopes that wherever his students’ bright futures may lead them, they will be inspired to come back and join him in his mission to strengthen the potential of Pottstown.