President Obama Honors Local Teacher at White House

President Barak Obama honored Hoboken educator, Verona resident and Caldwell University almunus Mark Mautone as one of 55 “Teachers of the Year” during a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday.

Mautone, a lead teacher in the Hoboken Public Schools ABA Program/Special Education Department, has 20 years of experience in special education and autism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Teacher of the Handicapped, and a Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis. He also holds certification in Teacher of the Handicapped and Preschool-3rd grade.

In 2009, Mautone launched a start-up technology company, ITPADD, which initially focused on app design and development, but has since expanded to provide technology instruction for individuals with autism and other disabilities as well as training for parents and teachers. [See related Patch article]

Mautone credited Caldwell University with giving him a strong foundation in applied behavior analysis.

“My advice to teachers who have only had ‘on the job training’ in ABA is to enroll in a formal higher education ABA program,” he stated in a release. “Caldwell’s comprehensive graduate ABA program has taught me more than any school district, workshop or conference could offer in terms of training.“

“America is hungry for more teachers like these, which is why we’ve got to acknowledge them, because every school has teachers like these and we don’t give them enough credit,” Obama said during a press conference.

“I want to thank all the teachers who are here today for your outstanding contributions to the life of our nation… We couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Photo 1: President Barak Obama honors 55 teachers, including Hoboken educator Mark Mautone, standing at his left, at a ceremony at the White House on April 29.

Photo 2: Mark Mautone at the White House.