Teacher Awards of 2004

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for permitting the Technology Alliance of Central New York to make a presentation to one of your teachers, Mr. Matthew Slauson. One-hundred and one years ago, a group of Central New York industrialists met at the home of Syracuse University professor, John Edson Sweet. Their purpose was the exchange of ideas that would advance the use of technology in the area's growing industries and businesses. From that meeting grew the Technology Club of Syracuse, recently renamed the Technology Alliance of Central New York. It is now an umbrella organization incorporating forty-one technical, scientific, engineering, and educational associations. They all seek to promote the responsible development and application of technology in Central New York State.

Recognizing the vital role that teachers play in the preparation of future technologists, the Alliance established, in 1988, the Outstanding Teacher Awards program. Its purpose is to recognize extraordinary contributions to the advancement of mathematics, science, and Technology Education for the elementary and secondary students of the five counties of Central New York State.

I offer the thanks of the organization to Dr. Margaret Culkowski, who nominated Mr. Slauson, and to Mrs. Teresa Phillips and Mr. Jeffrey Ostroski, who provided supporting documentation. Mrs. Phillips and Mr. Ostroski previously received our award. We thank the Skaneateles Central School District Board of Education and Mr. Slauson's colleagues and students for helping to make his professional work so effective.

And now, Mrs. Donna Matteson, a member of our Awards Committee and a recipient of our award, will share a few of the reasons why our Committee decided that Mr. Slauson should receive one of our awards for 2003-2004."

Donna Matteson reads:

"Mr. Matthew Slauson teaches a broad range of technology courses at Skaneateles High School, including computer integrated manufacturing, digital electronics, principles of engineering, engineering design and development, and computer programming. He has team-taught with physics teacher, Mr. Mike Flood, so that Principles of Engineering and advanced placement physics students could work together studying sound and wave theory and designing and testing musical instruments. Mr. Slauson also team-taught with a math teacher using logic circuits and computer simulation software. He is presently conducting a distance learning project in which his computer integrated manufacturing students are designing and producing a product specified by a fifth grade class in Auburn, Indiana.

Mr. Slauson has gone to considerable effort to broaden and extend his education to support his teaching. After earning three degrees from the SUNY colleges at Morrisville and Oswego, he completed postgraduate non-degree studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, Purdue University, and Ball State University. He has earned the designation of "master teacher" in the computer integrated manufacturing curriculum of Project Lead the Way.

Mr. Slauson's work with students goes beyond his classes. He has served as advisor to the Engineering and Technology Club in which students worked with robotics and has conducted a math lab to help students with the Math A curriculum. His students have completed two projects involving the repair of medical equipment which were done in collaboration with engineers at Welch Allyn Corporation.

Mr. Slauson's professional work beyond the classroom is significant. He serves on the Academic Integrity Committee at Skaneateles and was a member of the Superintendent Selection Committee and a communications improvement committee at Weedsport.

Mr. Slauson routinely shares his knowledge and experiences with others. His contributions may be found in a nationwide computer integrated manufacturing final examination which he co-authored. He has also developed curriculum and projects for Project Lead the Way and wrote a guest editorial in Home Shop Machinist, dealing with technology education in public schools.

There is much more that deserves to be commended but, suffice it to say, that Mr. Matthew Slauson is a model for his students and colleagues. The students of Skaneateles are enormously fortunate to have a teacher of his talent, energy, and dedication.

Mr. Slauson will be recognized at our Sixteenth Annual Awards Dinner and Program on April 30, at which time he will be presented with a check for $500. His family, colleagues, and friends are invited to attend as well.

Finally, the members and directors of the Technology Alliance of Central New York are proud to present tokens of our admiration to Mr. Slauson and the Skaneateles Central School District. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to make this presentation."

TACNY Directors Lou Ragonese and Al Brandenberg congratulate Matthew Slauson at the Teacher Awards Banquet.

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