Byron teacher receives Outstanding Educator Award for STEM instruction

Byron High School Careers teacher Jacob Findlay describes being honored, shocked and excited “all at the same time” when he learned he’d won a prestigious educator’s award.

Thirteen southeast Minnesota educators, including five total from Byron, were nominated for the 2022-2023 Outstanding Educator Award hosted by STEM Forward, which recognizes K-12 professionals who strive toward the highest levels of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) excellence within their schools and community.

They teach with a focus on initiative and continuous improvement in every aspect of their work, according to a press release distributed by Byron Public Schools.

“Mr. Findlay has worked tirelessly over his tenure at Byron to improve many of our systems and courses within the science, careers and engineering fields,” said Malia Schroeder, Byron High School principal, of Findlay being chosen for the Outstanding Educator Award.

“It’s a very expensive area with technology and it’s changing all the time, right?” remarked Byron superintendent Mike Neubeck. “So, it’s not going to be the same year in and year out. Jacob wants to keep it fresh. He says, ‘I’m going to make this work because our kids need this and this is what they’re going to need when they leave high school.’”

“He’s very student-centered and innovative when it comes to creating a great program for us at the high school,” Neubeck went on to add.

Outstanding Educator recipients foster high K-12 student achievement, exhibit leadership and support for continuous improvement, promote STEM careers, and demonstrate collaboration among K-12 schools, businesses and post-secondary education, the district said in its press release about Findlay’s award.

Findlay has been with Byron High School for four years, and has amassed ten years of teaching experience total, having taught in both Hawaii and New Jersey previously. He’s originally from a small town near Syracuse, New York.

He graduated in 2013 from the University of Rochester, in New York, with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He then went on to get his masters in education.

“I think my favorite thing is getting to work with the kids on a daily basis,” he said. “I love getting to see their excitement when they’re learning new things. Every day is new, which is a lot of fun. Getting to work here with the kids and staff is amazing. We’re kind of like one big family, so it’s super fun to come into work every single day.”

Findlay was nominated for the Outstanding Educator Award by Schroeder, who also surprised him in his classroom with the news that he’d won the exciting honor.

Over the course of a year, Findlay teaches as many as 250 kids. He teaches introduction to engineering design, digital electronics, a careers class which features post-high school planning, conceptual physics, chemistry, physics, physical science and basic electricity.

Outside of work, Findlay is married to his wife Bridget, and they have a 14-month old son named Jimmy who keeps them busy. They live in Rochester. He also is the assistant coach for the Byron High School varsity boys’ soccer team, and runs the school’s chess club.“I would love to stress how amazing it is to work here,” Findlay said. “Our staff is just phenomenal and when it comes to education, it really takes a village. We have such a great staff and culture here, and it’s one I would hope for my own kids.”

The Outstanding Educator Awards event will be celebrated at the 31st Annual STEM Forward Gathering On February 8th, 2023 at The Workshop in Rochester. This event will also be live-streamed on Facebook. Please follow @SSCMinnesota.

For more information contact the Byron District Office at 507-775-2383.

Photo: Jacob Findlay