Clarence High School Educator Sean Murray Named Master Teacher

Through his more than two decades as an engineering teacher at Clarence High School, Sean Murray has always sought to make a positive impact. That pursuit led him to enter teaching after more than 10 years in an industrial engineering role in the private sector, and has sustained him throughout his time in the classroom, sharing personal insights and real-life examples of engineering to engage his students.

“What keeps me motivated is that sense of doing something good in this world,” Murray said. “Not to enrich one person, but an entire community.” That pursuit led him to enter teaching after more than 10 years in an industrial engineering role in the private sector, and has sustained him throughout his time in the classroom, sharing personal insights and real-life examples of engineering to engage his students.

Murray was one of 144 educators recently named to the New York State Master Teacher Program, a professional network of more than 1,700 public-school teachers from across the state with a passion for inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. As a member of the program, Murray, who teaches Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering and Production Systems in Wood 2, will take part in peer mentoring along with a wide range of professional development opportunities with fellow educators from around the region for a four-year term.

“This will allow me to continue to grow and develop professionally and to help my fellow teachers,” Murray said. “When I retire, I want to know I did everything I could to be a solid contributor through the last day.”

The months-long process to join the program included multiple applications and interviews to show his knowledge of STEM concepts, teaching practices, as well as of his students and the community. One of the biggest projects for Murray’s Production Systems in Wood 2 class is the creation of Adirondack chairs, with the final products celebrated with students at a school barbecue. In addition to his teaching work, Murray has also served as adviser for many years to the Clarence Ski Club, bringing more than 200 students and their families to Ellicottville each year.

Murray thanked the High School’s administration and his fellow STEM teachers for their support, describing them as the kind of people who are always willing to help each other while “rolling up the sleeves to get the job done.” Murray and his wife Laura have two daughters, Erin and Kelly.

In a news release announcing this year’s class, Governor Kathy Hochul praised the newly selected members of the program.

"Here in New York, we are incredibly grateful for our teachers' and counselors' dedication to inspiring and shaping the minds of our students – the next generation of leaders in our state," said Governor Kathy Hochul, in a news release announcing this year’s class. "Through the New York State Master Teacher Program, we're recognizing the hardworking educational leaders who are helping us build a world-class education system here in New York for generations to come."

Other Clarence teachers who have been named to the program in previous years include Jennifer Ayers, Kelly Goliszek, Michelle Layer, Kathleen Sugg, Pamela Urbanek and Deborah Wehrlin.

More information about the Master Teacher program can be found at https://www.suny.edu/masterteacher/.