Paralympian Teaches Engineering in Surprise High School
Five-time Paralympian Eric Bennett inspires students through physics and archery.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Special Education
Eric Bennett, a five-time Paralympian and two-time world champion, now instructs students in engineering and physics at Shadow Ridge High School in Surprise. He uses his personal experience to demonstrate how approaching challenges from different angles leads to success.
Why it matters
Bennett aims to show students that physical adversity does not limit potential, encouraging them to find creative solutions to complex problems. By modeling resilience, he bridges the gap between high-level athletic achievement and technical classroom instruction.
Eric Bennett lost his right arm at age 15 and currently holds two world champion titles in archery. He uses a specialized quill held between his teeth to draw his bowstring during competition.
The players
Eric Bennett
He is a five-time Paralympian and two-time world champion in archery who teaches engineering and physics at Shadow Ridge High School.
Shadow Ridge High School
Located in Surprise, Arizona, this school hosts engineering and physics courses that utilize advanced tools like 3D printers and laser cutters.
The details
At Shadow Ridge High School, Bennett provides students access to 3D printers and laser cutters to experiment and troubleshoot engineering challenges. His students have successfully competed in various events throughout Arizona by applying these technical problem-solving skills.
Timeline
At age 15, Eric Bennett lost his right arm in a crash caused by a drunk driver.
Culture Shift
This approach mirrors the modern push toward integrating vocational engineering and career-technical education in U.S. high schools to improve student problem-solving. By prioritizing hands-on technical literacy, the curriculum prepares students for real-world application rather than abstract theory.
Students at Shadow Ridge High School benefit from direct access to industry-standard tools like 3D printers and laser cutters under Bennett's guidance. This classroom environment requires students to commit time to troubleshooting and iterative testing to succeed in Arizona-wide competitions.
The takeaway
Embracing diverse perspectives allows individuals to overcome significant obstacles through innovation and persistence. Students can apply this mindset to their own academic hurdles by viewing every limitation as an opportunity to experiment with new methodologies.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational advancements in the Special Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
