Morton High School recently earned awards at the 33rd Illinois Technology Education Conference, held October 23–24, 2026, at Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal, IL. Morton High School received both "2026 High School Program of the Year" and "2026 New Teacher of the Year" Awards.
The Technology Education Association of Illinois (TEAI) organizes the conference to promote and recognize technology, engineering, and industrial education teachers and pre-service educators across elementary, middle, high school, and university levels. TEAI promotes Technology and Engineering STEM Education throughout Illinois. International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) is the parent organization of TEAI and governs all National and International standards for Technology and Engineering curriculum.
This quote from the TEAI website speaks to the depth, breadth, and diversity of teachers under the big, ever-changing umbrella of technology education:
"We are dedicated to the promotion and professional development for teachers in the Technology Education field. Over the years, the profession has changed names; however, the mission remains the same: to prepare children for their future! Whether you teach in a department that calls itself "Industrial Arts", "Industrial Technology", "Shop", "Manual Arts", or "Technology Education", you are still giving and helping kids learn technological literacy. From Band saws and rocketry to computer-aided design and architecture or electronics, we teach kids to use, manage, and assess the machines, tools, and resources all around us in the ever-evolving world of technology."
TEAI High School Program Excellence Award Winner
This award is an acknowledgment of a superior technology education program which provides fundamental knowledge about the development of technology, its effect on people, the environment, and culture, and draws its instructional content from one or more of the following systems: communication, energy utilization, production/manufacturing, and transportation. Educators Mrs. Tiffany Beard, Mr. Mason Kleiber, and Mr. Chris Garner accepted the award on behalf of Morton High School.
TEAI New Teacher of the Year Award Winner: Mr. Mason Kleiber
This award recognizes Mr. Kleiber as an outstanding “new” teacher who provides his students with the most current curriculum and stays professionally active so personal growth continues. Eligible teachers must have no more than 5 years of teaching experience to be considered for this award. Mr. Kleiber’s business card reflects his passion for teaching career and technical education. It states, “If it isn’t broken, take it apart and fix it anyway.”
Principal Kirk Edwards congratulated the technology education department and Mr. Kleiber. He noted, “They help our students develop skills that transfer to an occupation or a college. I'm thankful for each of them!”
Tiffany Beard, Mason Kleiber, and Chris Garner readily acknowledge their STEM department colleagues and educators in other departments, including but not limited to math, science, and business, who are part of the team earning the TEAI Program Excellence Award for MHS, as well as the supportive administration.
Morton High School’s STEM education is impacting students today in ways that will echo into their future learning and accomplishments. Way to shine, 709!