Dave Heinzen, an automotive instructor at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin, was awarded the 2026 Educator of the Year award at the VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo Educator Think Tank on Friday, March 6. Heinzen has been teaching for 25 years.
The award, according to VISION, "honors an outstanding educator who has demonstrated innovative teaching methods, a passion for student success, and a commitment to advancing the automotive technology field."
More than 50 educators from across the country attended the event, now in its 12th year. The program also featured a 45-minute panel discussion with shop owners, industry professionals, and fellow educators.
"We want to celebrate people in the trenches who aren't looking for recognition, those who educate technicians in the field," said Tim Dwyer, VISION Educator Think Tank Chair, noting he wants to see more educators in the room as technical education gains national recognition as a viable career option for young Americans.
