Technology Integration Specialist Timothy Brush and middle school science teacher Ann Marie Mills were recognized at the Sept. 10 Board of Education meeting for recent honors that Brush and Mills had received.

Brush was named a Nassau Association of School Technologists Award Recipient by NASTECH last June. NASTARS are chosen for their innovation, their ability to seamlessly integrate technology and their exemplary technology leadership. In his position as technology integration specialist, Brush has worked with teachers throughout the district for the past few years to incorporate technology into their classrooms, providing richer experiences for students and teachers alike. With his help, Islip’s teachers have been able to collaborate with schools and experts across the country and around the globe. This included providing sixth graders at the middle school with the opportunity to livestream with archeologists in Egypt as an enhancement to their social studies curriculum as well as running a Tech Café for secondary teachers seeking help with technological questions.

Mills was the recipient of not one but two awards recognizing her excellence as an educator last spring, receiving the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators as well as the Suffolk County Science Teachers Association’s Middle School Teacher of the Year award. The former award, administered by the White House Council on Environmental Quality in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is given to outstanding teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. The STANYS award recognizes outstanding and innovative teachers who helps students and other teachers both inside and outside the classroom and organizes special student programs while successfully introducing new programs, teaching methods and materials.