After 21 years as a commanding officer in the United States Navy, teacher Robert “Allen” Stubblefield, Jr. found another way to give back to his country. It was to raise students’ cybersecurity awareness and inspire the country’s future cybersecurity workforce.
On Dec. 5, Stubblefield, a cyber defense educator at Troy High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, attends the 8th Annual NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, as President of 2023. Winner of the Cyber Security Education Award. .
Presented by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, the award recognizes teachers for their contribution and leadership in the field of cybersecurity. The award is given annually to her two teachers at primary and secondary level.
Also recognized that day was Benjamin Doherty, a teacher at Lakota West High School in West Chester Township, Ohio.
“Educators and instructors across the country cite Doherty as a shining example of what it takes to inspire a passion for cybersecurity in students and equip students with the academic and technical skills that today’s employers are looking for. You can see Mr. and Mr. Stubblefield,” said Secretary Cardona. “The Department of Education is committed to helping cybersecurity educators build a stronger pathway to get students into well-paying jobs in fields that are increasingly important to our nation’s security and prosperity. We recognize that it is essential to our efforts.”
The program also helps raise awareness of the cybersecurity profession, which currently has more than 700,000 job vacancies in the country. Jobs for information security analysts are projected to grow at a much faster pace than other occupations by 2031.
Over the past 12 years, Stubblefield has mentored over 800 elementary and middle school students through summer camps and CyberPatriot competitions. He has provided financial and other support to make his programs accessible to students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
“This award is a team and program award,” said the commander. “Christian Nguyen and David Kim are a big part of our cyber security program. We firmly believe we have the best and most modern cybersecurity program in the United States.”
Learn more about the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Awards here.
