Students at Bacon Academy in Colchester, Connecticut, have long known that manufacturing technology teacher, David Mason, BS ’11, is one-of-a-kind. This past school year, the nation learned he’s an “Oscar-worthy” educator.
Mason, an Ohio Northern University alumnus, was recently honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award, widely considered to be the teaching profession’s equivalent to a Grammy or an Oscar.
Despite the honor and the $25,000 grant, Mason says his greatest reward still happens right in the classroom.
“I really love helping students transition into adulthood, watching them grow, graduate, and succeed,” he says. “No matter what a student envisions for their future, whether its college, trade school, military, or straight into the workforce, I have a plan to help get them there.”
Mason has a built one of Connecticut’s most respected manufacturing education programs. Though based in a traditional high school rather than a vocational school, Mason’s program aligns with local industry to create a pipeline of talent for eastern Connecticut’s manufacturing companies.
He teaches approximately 130 students, from freshmen to seniors, covering welding, machining, plasma cutting, metal fabrication, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) operation. Since his arrival at Bacon Academy in 2014, he’s grown female participation in the program from virtually zero to between 30 and 40 percent of the student roster.
The kind of teacher who connects with kids on personal level, he maintains an upbeat, engaging classroom environment.
“I feel kids learn best by doing and making mistakes,” he says. “I try to make every class as hands-on, fun, and self-paced as possible.”
Mason’s students develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving through self-directed projects that they envision, design, and create. From artwork to metal roses, cell phone holders to clocks, the variety of projects is limited only by their imagination.
“I’m not doing much lecturing in my classes. I’m bouncing from kid to kid as they work on projects and asking ‘What questions do you have?’ and “What are you doing next?” he says.
Like most of students, Mason has always loved working with his hands. Coming from a “family of educators,” he also knew early on that he wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives.
From Rhode Island, he chose ONU for its technology education program. Mentors like Dr. Rich Miller, associate professor of technology, affirmed that he was on the right path.
“My professors pushed me to figure things out on my own and gave me confidence in my own abilities. As the same time, the support was always there when I needed it,” he said. “I would have gotten lost as just a number at a larger university.”
Mason said he was beyond surprised when he was awarded the Milken Educator Award at an all-school assembly. Teachers do not apply for the award; they are “found” by the foundation, leaving honorees completely off guard.
When the excitement and pandemonium of the “surreal” experience subsided, Mason said he was left feeling deeply humbled.
“I’ve worked with so many great teachers in my career, and I’ve been mentored and taught by so many great ones,” he says. “I keep thinking if anyone deserves this award, they do.”
