Pomperaug High School Technology Coordinator,
Michael B. Murphy Named Region 15 Teacher of the Year

  Region 15 has named Pomperaug High School (PHS), Technology Teacher, Michael B. Murphy, District Teacher of the Year.

   According to the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program celebrates excellence in teaching by recognizing teachers who have inspired a love for learning in their students and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.

   “Mike exhibits the qualities we want in every teacher.  He consistently inspires a love for learning in his students,” said John Mudry, Chairman of the Region 15 Teacher of the Year Nominating Committee and Principal of Gainfield Elementary School. 

   “Mike’s work with technology is clearly on the cutting edge. The professional staff and students view him as a rich resource always available to help and guide,” Mr. Mudry said.

   The Teacher of the Year program begins in May with the selection of a teacher of the year in each local district, who then becomes eligible for state and national honors.  An awards ceremony is held in November for all honorees and to announce the 2007 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

    Mr. Murphy, who hails from a family of educators, remains modest about the recognition.  “When you look at all the fine teachers in Region 15, it is quite an honor to be their representative this year,” he said.  “When I think of some of the former Region 15 teachers of the year that I know and am friends with, I feel proud to be counted in the same group with them.”

    A graduate of Marquette University, Mr. Murphy holds a B.A. in History and Philosophy, and is currently working toward his M.S. in Instructional Technology. 

     Teaching since 1993, he began his career with Region 15, eleven years ago as an 8^th grade history teacher at Memorial Middle School before becoming the school’s technology teacher. 

    As the Technology Coordinator for the high school, Mr. Murphy is responsible for the computer network and systems at PHS, comprised of about 300 computers and close to 1,600 network users.  Mr. Murphy delivers direct instruction to students through a course titled Information Systems where students are trained to troubleshoot problems and serve the PHS community as technicians. 

     “Along with a team of student workers, we keep the printers printing, the network networking, and the users using,” said Murphy.  “We support teachers as they use technology to help kids, and administration as they use our systems to do their job.”         

      “Mike is always upbeat and positive and is always willing to pitch in and solve problems,” said PHS Principal, James Agostine.  “He has moved us light years ahead in only three short years and is held in high esteem by all of his peers for his leadership and expertise.”

     According to Mr. Agostine, Mr. Murphy has been instrumental in developing curricula and instructional practices incorporating technology.  “Teachers often comment on his thoroughness and patience with them as they work to acquire new skills,” he explained.

    Mr. Agostine says Mr. Murphy played a significant role in the design and construction of the PHS building project.  “His contribution will be felt here for many years to come,” said Mr. Agostine.  Mr. Murphy also serves as an advisor to students on a project entitled Information Technology Leadership Academy (ITLA).  This group of students works on a project throughout the school year through a consortium arranged by Education Connection.  The projects, known as The Connecticut High School Innovation Challenge (CIC), are designed to engage CT high school students and teachers in a comprehensive Information Technology Research and Design project and challenge them to use technology to think creatively and work collaboratively.

    According to CIC, students and teachers interact with each other and with business professionals from around the state both online and face-to-face. They meet on a Connecticut college or university campus and at the IBM Conference Center in Southbury, to attend seminars and workshops. 

    Students develop valuable creative thinking, problem solving, and project management skills that will help them succeed in school and in 21st century careers.  The project culminates with an Expo where they compete for awards and honors.  Last year, the PHS ITLA team, won the "Most Outstanding Presentation" for their project, "Sophia", competing against 20 other high schools.

    Of his job, Mr. Murphy says, “I like the idea that every day is new.  Technology changes so quickly we have to always be learning new things just to keep up,” he explains.  “In both of my roles at PHS, I am learning as much from my students as they are learning from me.”

    Mr. Murphy delights in the fact that his students are learning in an authentic setting. “They are problem solving, coming up with multiple solutions to a problem, gathering new information from real sources, and working in teams to reach a common goal,” he explains.

    A self described “valley boy”, Mr. Murphy was born and bred in Naugatuck where he currently resides with wife Wendy and their three children, Dennis (11), Patrick (9) and Kelly (7).  After hours, Mr. Murphy can be found officiating at a field hockey game in Region 15, helping out with his sons’ Pop Warner football team or carting his kids to one activity or another.            

    He says he wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself teaching history again some day.  But, whatever Michael Murphy is teaching, “I want to continue to give everything I can to the students and faculty in Region 15,” he says.  “My goal has always been to show up and work hard every day.  If I can do that for another 25 years, I’ll consider myself lucky.”