New Canaan Country School Technology Teacher Bruce Lemoine was honored recently by the Pre-K through Grade 9 school for his four decades of service, enthusiasm for the craft of education and continued excellence in teaching middle school students.
“With an extraordinary 40 years of service, Bruce Lemoine is an educator who has devoted the entirety of his career to New Canaan Country School and we are the better for it,” said Head of School Aaron Cooper. “He is a problem solver, a pioneer in the fields of technology and Maker, and a consummate educator and school administrator.”
Mr. Lemoine first joined the Country School community in 1980 and during his tenure, he has worn a variety of hats: Grades 5 and 6 homeroom teacher, Grades 7 and 8 humanities teacher, the first official Head of Middle School, Director of the Apprentice Teacher Training Program, Director of Studies, basketball, football and baseball coach, and he currently serves as both Director of Academic Records and Technology & Makerspace Instructor.
“Any success I achieve as an educator is a direct result of the wonderful support I receive daily from my colleagues here at Country School. As the needs and expectations of our students evolve, we all find ourselves learning new skills and mastering new concepts to remain relevant in their lives. Ongoing professional development keeps me interested and alert as an educator. I often find myself being an agent of change, and I’m comfortable with that role,” said Mr. Lemoine.
These days, Mr. Lemoine is a familiar face to students in the Maker Lab assisting students with coding, 3D design and robotics projects. He has long been an advocate for technology in the classroom.
“I remember when the first computers showed up on our doorstep here at school,” said Mr. Lemoine. Our students have access to the same software tools and information systems used by scientists, engineers, professional animators and digital entrepreneurs. With access to today’s technology, students can solve real world problems and develop inventions for future generations.”
When Mr. Lemoine was Head of Middle School, his was the first division in the school to get email for its teachers. Over the decades, he has adapted to the changing landscape of technology, transitioning from Hypercard stacks back in the 1990’s to 3D computer animation, robotics, and 3D printing today. This year, he has started a coding class for 4th graders.
“He is always tinkering and trying new ideas, innovating and staying current in the latest methods and approaches,” said Mr. Cooper.
“How else can we help students be ready for professions that have yet to be created using tools that have yet to be invented?” said Mr. Lemoine.