Coast to coast influence – LWSD grad nominates Tesla STEM teacher for Cornell University award

Sometimes it is hard to recognize teachers for all the things they do to help students prepare for the next chapter in their lives. But for Matthew Sturtevant, teacher at Tesla STEM High School, this is not one of those cases. Sturtevant was nominated by recent Cornell University graduate Esther Wang, Tesla STEM class of 2020, as the secondary teacher who has made the most significant contribution to her education. Wang was recognized as one of the most outstanding Cornell seniors for the class of 2024 with the Merrill Presidential Scholar award. The award is given to a student on the basis of scholastic achievement, strong leadership ability and demonstrated potential for contributing to society.

The president of Cornell wrote the following in a letter to Sturtevant after Wang’s recommendation:

“We are deeply grateful to you for your care, devotion and skill in preparing Esther for Cornell,” Martha Pollack, president of Cornell, said. “In recognition of the enduring partnership that educators share in the pursuit of academic excellence, I invite you to be our guest for three events at Cornell University on May 20 and 21, 2024.”

Sturtevant was invited to attend a welcoming reception on the evening of Monday, May 20, alongside a dinner for the secondary teachers. The next day followed with a presentation, a discussion session for the honored teachers and a convocation luncheon attended by the deans of Cornell’s undergraduate colleges and selected faculty members to honor this year’s Merrill Presidential Scholars.