William Floyd Middle School Mathematics Teacher Named NYS Master Teacher
Moriches, NY - October 12, 2018 - Matthew Furlani, a mathematics teacher at William Floyd Middle School, was recently selected among the newest class of New York State Master Teachers, a program started by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2013 recognizing the state’s most outstanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educators for their dedication to the profession, commitment to professional growth and enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues in their schools, districts and regions. Mr. Furlani is one of only 275 teachers statewide selected as a Master Teacher this year and is among only 980 Master Teachers throughout all of New York State since the program’s inception. He is also the sixth Master Teacher from William Floyd out of only 93 in the Long Island region.
Mr. Furlani, who currently teaches Algebra I and Algebra I Honors at William Floyd Middle School, has been part of the William Floyd family since 2007 and has served in additional roles including as a curriculum writer, a teacher center instructor and as the lead mathematics teacher at William Floyd Middle School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s College with a dual major – mathematics and mathematics/computer science, and earned his Master of Arts degree in mathematics from Stony Brook University.
“I am honored to be selected as a part of the NYS Master Teacher Program,” said Mr. Furlani. “Middle school is a pivotal time in the educational process when students can sometimes find it hard to focus on academics. I believe the STEM subjects are essential building blocks for a bright future in high school and what lies beyond. It is my hope that I can continue to engage my students in a way that helps them experience the significance of mathematics both in the classroom and the world around us.”
In the announcement, Governor Cuomo offered his congratulations to the newest Master Teachers who “join the ranks of the top educators in the state.” He said, “Education is the cornerstone to success, and it is the brilliant, dedicated teachers in New York who make a difference in countless lives and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.”
As a Master Teacher over the next four years, Mr. Furlani will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early-career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; attend required regional cohort meetings; and participate in and lead several professional development sessions each year.
Mr. Furlani joins five other William Floyd colleagues who have already been honored as New York State Master Teachers – Kristen Drury, science, WFHS; Anne Ippolito, science, WFHS; Dr. Luisa McHugh, science, WFMS; Martin Palermo, science, WFHS; and Christine Rosado, former WFHS mathematics teacher and current director of secondary education and STEM, William Floyd School District. You can read about them here and here.
“I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues from both the William Floyd School District and the State of New York to find new and creative ways to incorporate math, science and technology into my classroom at William Floyd Middle School,” added Mr. Furlani.