NCCE

TECHNOLOGY LEADER OF THE YEAR

Cathy Stone
Clancy, Montana

Cathy Stone is a junior high teacher at Clancy Elementary School District in Clancy, Montana. She comes with high praises from her supervisors and colleagues

Principal Bruce A. Thomas, Cathy’s supervisor for 16 years, comments that in addition to teaching junior high classes every day, she is the half time network technician, tech coordinator, co-chair of the district technology committee. She is also recent president of MCCE (Montana Council for Computer Education).

“I hold Mrs. Stone personally responsible for encouraging staff members to take risks with technology in the classroom, he adds. “Her ability to work in this demanding and ever-changing field of technology is directly correlated to her ability to relate with a variety of staff members and their various interests and skills.”

K-4 teachers at Clancy credit Cathy with being “resilient in the face of problems and tenaciously patient.” They add that she helps teachers with home computers, and helps teachers earn college credits by networking with colleges.

Teacher Terri Brooks adds, “Without Cathy’s technology expertise our school would still be back I the last century floundering in mounds of paperwork.”

Colleague Tamara Scott concurs. “Cathy is an outstanding teacher and tech person at Clancy Elementary School—not only because she knows her stuff, but also because she knows people. Her patience is unending. No matter how many times she is asked the same questions, or is asked to fix the same problem, she helps without a complaint. It is this kind and helpful manner which encourages all of us to feel that we can come to her for assistance. She never acts as though she knows more or is better than we are but of course she is! Rather, she gives us the confidence to try many new things on our own, To be a good leader, one must nurture others, lead them to find answers, and help them learn. Cathy does all of these for both the students she teaches and the staff with whom she works.”

Teacher Penny Paddock concludes, “In my mind, Cathy embodies the ‘get the job done no matter what’ spirit that this award was created to recognize.”

Congratulations, Cathy!