Record-Journal (Meriden, CT)
| July 24, 2013 Programs keep teacher teaching year-round Eric Vo Record-Journal staff |
| WALLINGFORD - Chris Stone's work doesn't end when summer comes. Instead, the fifth-grade teacher at Pond Hill School works with other area teachers to organize Family Science Nights and leads the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy.Stone has been running summer programs since 2000, when the Young Astronauts Club of Wallingford started. In 2005, he started working on the Family Science Nights. Since 2010, STEM-related camps have been running at the Meriden YMCA Mountain Mist Outdoor Center.He also works with the town's Youth & Social Services Department as well as the Spanish Community of Wallingford.His continued work outside the schools has earned him the Connecticut Education Association's highest award: the John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence. Recipients must meet five criteria: "professional practice, community engagement, leadership in professional development, attention to diversity and advocacy for the profession," according to the Connecticut Education Association's website. "We're very excited for him," said School Superintendent Salvatore Menzo. "Chris has been a leader in bringing special programming to our elementary students in particular."Stone, a teacher in Wallingford since 1996, said he was "shocked and very surprised" when he found out he'd be receiving the award. Stone is also one of five finalists for the National Education Association Foundation's Improvement of Education Award for Teaching Excellence.Stone said he's always seen his role as "being involved in the community." He believes he has a commitment to the role that allows him to connect with the community."It's important for educators to be a part of the community and bring knowledge, opportunities and programs to students and their families beyond the classroom."His motivation to give back to the community stems from his days as a middle school student, from which he fondly remembers his science teacher and summer science camps. But the idea of sharing the knowledge he learned didn't occur to him until he attended science camp years later."I didn't really reflect on the interests I had in those programs until after my first year of teaching," Stone said. "I was selected through a grant process through the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce to attend space camp in Huntsville, Alabama.""After I went to space camp, I was just excited, overjoyed enthusiastic about sharing what I've learned with students and families."It was then, in 2000, that the Young Astronauts Club of Wallingford was established. The club is now known as the STEM Academy and offers four sessions: space camp, advanced space camp, amusement park physics and backpack naturalists.Stone is enthusiastic about continuing his teaching outside the school system and values the experiences it brings.evo@record-journal.com (203) 317-2235 Twitter: @EricVoRJ Christopher Zajac / Record-JournalChris Stone looks at boats students made from cardboard and aluminum foil Tuesday as part of a program at the Spanish Community of Wallingford. |
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