The New Jersey Technology Education Association (NJTEA) presented the Innovative Technology Educator Award to six New Jersey Technology Education Teachers last spring. This award, sponsored by the Martinson Family Foundation, recognizes outstanding dedication and innovation in the field of Technology Education by educators with an unrestricted cash award of $10,000 to each honoree. Five of these six awardees are TCNJ alumni.
Peter Grandinetti
Pete Grandinetti received a B.S and M. Ed in Industrial Education and Technology from Trenton State College. After completion of military duty, he began teaching in 1972. He continued teaching a wide variety of Industrial Arts courses until 1984. InJulyof 1984, he left teaching to pursue a career in business and sales, which included the ownership of multiple franchise food establishments. In 2001, Pete returned to the Technology Department at Red Bank Regional High School to teach Introduction to Technology and Graphic Arts. He was named Supervisor of Technology, Business and Consumer Sciences inSeptemberof 2004. He has been instrumental in developing new courses, an Academy of Engineering, 5 Star Program designations from NJTEA in 2007, and a Program of Excellence from Project Lead the Way in 2008.
Michael Jeskey
Michael Jeskey graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Technology Education in 1991. He began his career in Denville teaching middle school technology education, successfully transitioning the program from a traditional Industrial Arts program. For the past 11 years, Michael has been teaching in Livingston, NJ where he is currently a technology education teacher at Heritage Middle School. He has developed many courses at both the middle and high school level and served as a mentor to many department members while coaching track and cross country.
Jason Mariano
Jason Mariano is a technology education teacher at Chatham High School leading the entire design and engineering curriculum of the Chatham Technology Department. He teaches architecture, CADD, Robotics, and a Design and Technology classes. Jason attended The College of New Jersey, graduating in 1998 with a Technology Education Degree. He earned his Masters Degree in Technology Education and Curriculum Writing from Ball State University. He is currently pursuing a degree in Administration from Farleigh Dickenson University .
Steven Mett
After graduating from TCNJ inMay, 2000 Steven Mett began teaching Photography and TV Production classes at Lenape Regional High School. Despite loving his job, he decided to move north in 2003 and began teaching Photography and TV Production at Rutherford High School. During his seven years there, with major program changes and increased enrollment, his position had shifted in focus away from TV Production towards Photography. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Educational Technology from Ramapo College.
Purvik Patel
Purvik Patel lives in his hometown of Glen Rock. He is in his second year teaching, but his experience with Technology Education dates back to his early childhood. Growing up, he built channel letters and did general handy work with his uncle. In high school he was president and co-founder of the Wood Shop Club. After high school, he attended Central Connecticut State University and eventually transferred to The College of New Jersey. During breaks at school, he worked as a carpenter and CAD operator for construction companies in Hoboken. He is currently a full time teacher at Northern Highlands Regional High School teaching woodworking, CAD, and engineering. After school, he advises a FIRST Tech Challenge team and serves as the technical director for his schools winter musical. He loves Technology Education because our designed world is everywhere.