New Bedford High School alumnus and teacher awarded Educator of the Year

Fred Pimentel, a graduate of New Bedford High School and NFTE entrepreneurship teacher for 13 years, has been awarded the 2017 Global Enterprising Educator Award for the New England region, which honors teachers who have excelled at teaching the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) program. Fred travelled to NYC to accept his award at the 2017 Global Showcase on March 23rd at Cipriani in the Financial District.

This elegant annual event celebrates NFTE’s extraordinary teachers and alumni from around the world with our Global Young Entrepreneur and Global Enterprising Educator Awards, as well as our Volunteer of the Year award winners, and featuring a panel moderated by Forbes Editor Caroline Howard of #30Under30 entrepreneurs.

“I’ve taught with Fred for over 15 years and he is one of the kindest teachers and empathetic educators I’ve ever come to know” says Valerie Alves, NBHS teacher and friend. He is a true role model not only his students, but as a coach, a colleague, and a member of the NBHS community. He keeps us glued together.”

Fred’s greatest strength and success teaching NFTE is his ability to set expectations of achievement provide students with a true entrepreneurship education to last a lifetime. According to Jennifer Green, Regional Director of NFTE, “Watching Fred teach the lessons, motivate the kids, pull from his personal experiences and invest in each student is a privilege. Fred has mastered a craft, taking students along an entrepreneurial journey of business creation as they develop an entrepreneurial mindset along the way.”

“Students want to create a business that has substance, and they become discouraged.” Says Fred. “So I have them research current problems in their community that need solving. Once they find meaning in their businesses, they become motivated to create their business plans.” Saying of one of his most memorable students, “being in the NFTE class gave him a reason to come to school and showed him the importance of getting an education.”