Northport Business Teacher Honored for Exceptional Work

Northport High School business teacher Kristen Cogan was recently presented with the 2016 Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Technology, Teacher of the Year Award during the Long Island Technology Summit on Oct. 20.

Cogan was honored based on her creative and resourceful uses of technology to greatly impact her students achievement.

The Long Island Technology Summit is an annual event hosted jointly by the three Long Island BOCES. The 2016 event was held at the Huntington Hilton, where approximately 800 teachers, administrators, technology leaders and vendors shared ideas and learned about the latest technology advancements.

Michael Flynn, chief operating officer of Western Suffolk BOCES, presented the award to Cogan and spoke about her achievements as an educator.

“She is a talented and inspiring teacher,” said Flynn.

Cogan has been a business teacher at Northport High School for 15 years and collaborated last year with four other Long Island school districts to create and offer a new course at the high school called Business Computers 2.0/Digital Generation. The course allows students to engage with other school districts in a collaborative project where they create videos, learn how to build a successful web presence and leverage social media. The course also gives students the opportunity to talk about current events and share ideas.

“I'm glad I work in a district that embraces new technology and innovative teaching methods,” said Cogan. “I'm thankful for being recognized because it inspires me to do more.”

Story by Syntax, Photo courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District: Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES Michael Flynn presented business education teacher Kristen Cogan with the 2016 Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Technology, Teacher of the Year Award on Oct. 20.