Port Angeles educator named a "Champion of Change"
PORT ANGELES - A Peninsula College educator has been named a top ten national "Champion of Change" for his creative approach to using technology to enhance learning.
Brian Walsh was honored during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday.
As Peninsula College's education director, Walsh lead an effort to expand the use of technology in prison classrooms at Olympic and Clallam Bay correction centers.
Prisoners, who aren't allowed internet access, can now learn from offline versions of public resources using a secure network server in prison classrooms.
Walsh also started the first prison-based Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training program that pairs basic education with hands-on job experience so students learn in real-world settings.
In addition, he began five new prison vocational programs: Sustainable Horticulture, Artisan Baking, Small Business Entrepreneurship, Green Building and Computer Programming and Game Development.