Kendall teacher Jerry Greenlee will receive the Clarkson University Inspirational High School Teaching Award during Clarkson Commencement Weekend, May 12 and 13 in Potsdam. The physics and chemistry teacher was nominated for the award by a former student, Kristin J. Pugh, now an electrical engineering major at Clarkson.

"It is obvious that this man truly loves teaching," said Kristin. "He loves his students and frequently goes out of his way to help them. I think that most of his students, regardless of whether they like science or not, come away from his classes with at least some of the love and enthusiasm for the subject he has. It is almost impossible not to."

One of Kristin's favorite memories of her teacher is his portrayal of "Vector Man." Adorned with a fire blanket, goggles, a Buffalo Bills football helmet and an arrow-shaped "scepter," which was really a vector, Greenlee would introduce the topic of vectors to the class. "When students leave his class and move on in the world, it is a good bet that because of Vector Man, ... they will never forget what they learned about vectors," said Kristin.

Every spring for the past 12 years, Clarkson seniors have been asked to nominate the one teacher whom they feel has shaped their lives and influenced their career choices. Then six educators are chosen from the nominations to receive the award. Award selections are based on insights provided by students on the nomination form, including the reason the teacher was nominated, how the teacher influenced the student and an actual situation in which the teacher displayed some of the qualities and characteristics of an outstanding educator.