Shadow Ridge Teacher Mentors Students Through Paralympic Grit
A five-time Paralympian at Surprise's Shadow Ridge High School inspires engineering students to overcome complex design challenges.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Special Education
Eric Bennett, a two-time world champion archer and five-time Paralympian, teaches engineering and physics to students at Shadow Ridge High School in Surprise. He uses his personal experience as a role model to encourage students to find creative solutions to classroom obstacles.
Why it matters
By demonstrating how to approach technical challenges from unique angles, Bennett helps students build the resilience and problem-solving skills necessary for competitive engineering projects. His classroom serves as a blueprint for persistence when facing difficult design limitations.
Bennett, who lost his right arm at age 15, has secured 5 Paralympic team appearances and 2 world champion titles. His students regularly compete in engineering challenges across Arizona.
The players
Eric Bennett
A physics and engineering teacher at Shadow Ridge High School who serves as a five-time Paralympian and two-time world champion archer.
Shadow Ridge High School
A school in Surprise where students utilize advanced maker technology like 3D printers to excel in regional engineering competitions.
The details
In the classroom, students utilize 3D printers and laser cutters to prototype their projects. Bennett demonstrates how to navigate limitations by example, such as his own method of drawing a bowstring using a quill held between his teeth. Students are encouraged to use this equipment to experiment, troubleshoot, and refine their own engineering solutions.
Timeline
At age 15, Bennett lost his right arm following a crash caused by a drunk driver.
The Home Front
The integration of 3D printers and laser cutters into local school facilities mirrors a broader shift toward hands-on, iterative learning in technical education. This approach prioritizes prototyping skills that help students navigate modern engineering challenges.
Families interested in similar engineering paths should explore the maker-space resources available at local schools or community centers. Encourage students to participate in hands-on projects that require troubleshooting and multi-angle design thinking.
The takeaway
Bennett’s career highlights how adapting to physical limitations can drive innovative problem-solving in any field. Families can encourage this mindset by supporting creative hobbies that challenge students to build, test, and refine their own mechanical solutions.
Further reading
Learn more about local inclusive learning initiatives in Special Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
