“When we teach each student as an individual, we send a powerful message: You matter, your learning matters, I see you, and I care about your success.”
Scott Brauer teaches Project Based Engineering at Niagara Career and Technical Education Center in Sanborn, New York. Brauer has spent nearly three decades teaching skilled trades, inspired by his early experiences learning machining and fabrication alongside his father. Before entering education, he spent 14 years in manufacturing, advancing from lead man to supervising 100 workers in CNC departments.
At 32, inspired by his father’s mentorship and encouraged by his wife, he enrolled at Buffalo State College to become a CTE teacher, accepting a pay cut to follow his passion for educating the next generation of skilled tradespeople. He holds a permanent New York State teaching certificate in Precision Metal Work Occupations and is NIMS-certified. Brauer has been recognized with multiple awards, including Orleans/Niagra BOCES Teacher of the Year, New York SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year, GM Quality Educator of the Year, and the Western New York Educational Service Council Award for Excellence in Teaching.
In his Project-Based Engineering classroom, Brauer emphasizes craftsmanship, problem-solving, and real-world applications of STEM and manufacturing principles. Students work hands-on with tools, CNC machines, and CAD/CAM software, completing capstone projects, participating in SkillsUSA competitions, and engaging in internships, job shadows, and industry showcases. Under his guidance, students consistently graduate career-ready, earn industry certifications, and achieve state and national recognition for their skills. Brauer mentors colleagues and students alike, advocates for skilled trades education, and fosters a culture of curiosity, perseverance, and excellence that extends from his classroom to the broader community.
Notes of Excellence
- Brauer’s students engage in CNC machining, CAD/CAM design, additive manufacturing, and precision engineering, with projects grounded in real-world applications.
- Over the last 28 years the graduation rate for students from Brauer’s program is over 98 percent, and roughly 85 percent of these graduates have obtained at least one industry certification over multiple platforms.
- Brauer’s students are strong competitors in both New York State and national SkillsUSA competitions, winning competitions in manufacturing, machining, engineering, and technical drafting.
- Brauer takes advantage of manufacturer-led training programs from companies like Haas, MasterCam, and Autodesk to keep his skills current with the tools and systems used in today’s workforce.