High Point teachers present at conference

Ben Kappler and Brooke Martin of the High Point Regional High School Department of Technological Studies were selected as presenters at the New Jersey Technology Education Association’s state conference.

The event, at Rutgers University on Oct. 27, was attended by nearly 200 technology education teachers, STEM leaders and conference sponsors from throughout the state.

Martin’s presentation, “Student Engagement in a Modern Technology Education Class,” was attended by 40 people and highlighted strategies to maximize student participation post-pandemic.

Later in the day, she and Kappler hosted a joint session highlighting the role that the software program Fusion 360 can play in the classroom.

“It demonstrates an investment in one’s craft to attend conferences, but the fact that both Ben and Brooke were asked to present there truly exemplifies them as leaders in our field,” said Brian Drelick, High Point STEM supervisor and treasurer of the NJTEEA. “They are assets to our program and now assets to programs around the state.”

Also during the event, Mark Wallace, a retired Technological Studies supervisor at High Point, was honored with the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Wallace, who also served as the first executive director of NJTEEA (formerly TEANJ), currently works with the College of New Jersey to supervise student teachers.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition,” he said. “I have been involved for 30-plus years, and I was able to work with hundreds of dedicated people to help all students experience technology education in New Jersey. We have standards, a framework for curriculum and a law requiring standards in New Jersey.

“I had a lot of help from some very dedicated people and I enjoyed working with them all. I had a very rewarding career. More kids should go into technology education teaching.”

Drelick added, “We were grateful to be there to share that honor with Mark, our current faculty and some of our High Point graduates who are now teaching technology education in several different schools across the state. We are proud of the fact that our program has produced so many teachers.”