Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green awarded citations to students for career and technical education month and recognized Teacher Edd Spidell for over 30 years of service to the Cranston school system on February 17.

Infante-Green was welcomed with breakfast from the school’s culinary program, including calzones, raspberry iced rolls, yogurt, juice, and coffee before she moved on to explore a few areas of the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC). Infante-Green toured the school’s aquaculture area, learning about freshwater fish, hydroponic gardening systems, and speaking with the program’s students and teacher before moving on to take a look at Spidell’s robotics area.

Pre-Engineering & Robotics Systems Technology Founder and Lead Teacher at the CACTC Edd Spidell received a gubernatorial proclamation in celebration of both his service and CTE Month, which is celebrated in February.

“RIDE is proud to celebrate the extraordinary career and technical education in Rhode Island during CTE Month 2023,” Infante-Green said. “Throughout the state, our students are developing skills, exploring career pathways, and creating their own futures.”

Spidell’s robotics program was among the first in Rhode Island and one of only a handful in the United States when it was created in 1987. Spidell holds degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering, has done post-graduate work in vehicle design, and is a US patent holder.

 “It is an honor to recognize Mr. Edd Spidell and his dedication to CTE and the students of Rhode Island. Edd has built a legacy of innovation at Cranston Area Career and Technical Center, and together with his students, has shined on the national stage,” said Commissioner Infante-Green.

“We are truly thankful for Mr. Edd Spidell, a consummate professional and inspirational educator, whose passion for teaching and learning has yielded exceptional young professionals in the fields of engineering and robotics,” CACTC Director Kenneth Hopkins said. “His contribution to the fabric of the Cranston school community and the CTE realm in Rhode Island and beyond is remarkable. Thank you to Mr. Spidell for his outstanding legacy, and for the generations of young minds who proudly represent his tutelage through achievements in the profession.”

Certificates of recognition were given to a team of students who participated and received bronze medals in the 2022 SkillsUSA national competition, which took place in June. Seniors Kayla Tortorella, Abigail Regan, and Mia Boscia completed a community service project that, if distributed to hospitals locally and beyond, will provide new mothers an encouraging system to mark the milestones of babies born in the NICU. The students are all part of CACTC’s medical pathway program.

Hope Kelley and George Grammas were recognized by Commissioner Infante-Green after earning silver medals at the SkillsUSA competition in robotics and automation technology.

“We are extremely proud of our students and teachers for their continued success, dedication, and performance on the national level through SkillsUSA competitions,” said Hopkins.

Infante-Green rounded out her appearance by visiting robotics stations throughout the program’s area, chatting with the students who demonstrated each station’s capabilities, and learning the details of each machine’s function.