Monessen educator named AFA teacher of the year

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

For Monessen School District teacher Matthew Strine, a sudden change of heart one week before he left for college 20 years ago has proven to be a good decision.

Strine, who teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics — also known as STEM — to students in grades 6 to 12, was honored earlier this month as statewide Teacher of the Year by the Air Force Association Aerospace Education Program.

He now moves on to the program’s national competition held later this summer.

Winning the award came as a pleasant surprise.

“I had heard nothing of the Air Force Chapter until (high school Principal Eric Manko) called me into his office one day,” Strine said with a laugh. “He asked me to do a one-page narrative on STEM education. I wrote something up and next thing I know, they’re nominating me for the state chapter award.”

A native of Penn Hills, Strine said he didn’t even plan on becoming a teacher when he graduated from high school in 1999.

With aspirations of becoming a civil engineer, Strine took an internship position with a local engineering firm before attending Penn State University, and the experience changed his life forever.

“There wasn’t much more to engineering than sitting at a computer all day,” Strine said. “I decided I can’t do this the rest of my life. I was so defeated.”

Strine recalled how he enjoyed coaching his younger brother’s soccer team and mentoring kids at summer camps.

“Many people told me ‘You should be a teacher,’” he said. “I had already applied for Penn State’s civil engineering program. One week before I left for college, I changed my major to elementary education.”

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