[HSTechTeach123]

Congrats to all the finalist for the Top Teacher Search.

However, there is no more deserving person for this top honor than John Motchkavitz (Motch!). I was lucky enough to be Motch's student-teacher for 2 months prior to my college graduation. During that brief time with him at Great Neck South HS, I learned more about teaching, leading, caring, and being a mentor than I can adequately explain in a single post. Motch welcomed me into the GNS family as soon as we met. As seen in the video, Motch is known by EVERYONE in Great Neck. Just by walking the halls with him, everyone knew my name by the end of that first day! He made sure to take care of me - (just a college kid he never met, but whom he wanted to help!)

I was fortunate enough to get involved with GNS FIRST Robotics team (2638) while student teaching there. We won the SPBLI Regional Championship on Long Island, and all traveled by bus to Atlanta as a family. Immediately, I was hooked on FIRST. Since then, I have introduced and developed a FIRST Tech Challenge program at my school, including two teams, and hosts of regional qualifiers.

Without Motch, I don't know if I would have found my passion for robotics, and I might have missed out on the opportunity for my current job, and my current robotics program. Not only did he inspire me, but he has remained a close friend, regularly calling, visiting, and supporting all of my endeavors.

I hope to pass along the passion to my students that MOTCH passed to me. I know that I owe him a lot for my success. I hope to someday be as influential a teacher as he is.

Thanks Motch!
VOTE FOR MOTCH!!!!!!