Many students have asked me about how I became a technology teacher and what I have done in the past. So here is a little about the professional side of Mr. Finney.
I began teaching Technology Education in 1993. I have taught Technology Education in grades 6-12. This is my twentieth year at Liverpool Middle School and my thirtieth year in the profession.
I went to High School at Christian Brothers Academy '88. While in school I liked computers and making things. I played sports (wrestling & soccer), worked in the restaurant business (for 30 yrs) and was in Boy Scouts. While in Scouts I was fortunate to be asked to attend Philmont Scout Ranch and a National Jamboree. I was undecided about my college major before graduating high school. I looked into marketing, dreamed about being an astronaut, joining the Coast Guard, and being a computer graphic artist.
I eventually decided on becoming an Industrial Arts (Technology Education) teacher in my second year of college. I think it was one of the greatest decisions of my life. I highly recommend SUNY Oswego's Technology Education program. It's reputation for not only being one of the first, but top programs in the world is well deserved. Teaching is one of life's most rewarding careers and Oswego prepares you very well for it. I strongly encourage you to take a look at the "new" SUNY Oswego Dept. of Technology!
I earned my Bachelor '93 and Master '00 degree from SUNY Oswego and then my permanent New York State birth-12 certification in Industrial Arts and Technology Education. In 2016 I became a graduate of the FOCUS Syracuse Citizen's Academy.
Before coming to Liverpool Middle School, I taught at Geneva Middle School and Skaneateles High School. I have taught over 4,000 students in my career, and I am overjoyed to hear of their success stories later in life. Please stop and say hello if you see me in the future and give me an update! Don't be shy... I may not recognize you at first; you may be a few years older looking and more than a few inches taller. ;) It’s great seeing my former students around town, whether it’s at Nichol’s, Wegman’s, Johnson Park, or Sugar Blossom Cake Shop, I enjoy hearing about your life and future plans!
I have given back to my profession by being a master teacher to college student teachers from SUNY Oswego at the middle school level.
I have been a presenter at Technology Education Fall Conferences at SUNY Oswego, and at New York State Technology Education Association State Conferences.
I am a member of the following professional organizations: NYSTEEA, and CNYTEEA.
I have been a presenter at New York State Fair's NYS Technology Education Association booth.
- General K-12 Technology Education, robotics
- NYSTEA Hovercraft rides & demos
My student's work was featured in the NYS Technology Engineering & Education Association showcase at New York State Fair 2015 - 2019, 2022-24.
I was the NYSTEA membership secretary from 2003 - 2005.
I co-presented with Dr. Shippee "Riveting History & Technology" at LSCD Professional Development Workshop on March 20, 2009
I presented "Traveling Teacher - Bringing the World of Technology to You." at LMS Career Day on March 5, 2010
I co-presented "Using Instructional Technology in the Classroom" at LMS Professional Development Fall 2011
I co-presented "Assessments Day 3" at LSCD Professional Development Workshop on February 19, 2012
I presented "Liverpool Middle's High Altitude Balloon Project" at SUNY Oswego Fall Technology Conference 2015
I co-presented with Mr. Starke "3-D Printing Round Table Discussion" at SUNY Oswego Fall Technology Conference 2016
I presented "CAD, Math and 3D Printing" at NYSTEEA's BSTEM Conference, at TecSMART in Malta, NY 2017
I presented "Liverpool Village Walking Tour" created by our LMS students at the Liverpool Public Library September 18, 2017
I co-presented with Mr. Starke and Mr. Stein "Story Telling" at SUNY Oswego Fall Technology Conference 2019
I have been fortunate to have been awarded many grants, most notably:
Four County Technology Education Association Mini grant - Pneumatics
Geneva Article 12 grant - Global Positioning Systems
Liverpool Central Schools Professional Development grant - Italian Contributions to the History and Evolution of Technology
SRC STEM Grant 2016
VEX IQ Robot Training at SUNY Oswego through National Grid. Training, Robots, and Competition Field. 2020
While at Liverpool Middle School I have been:
Technical director for the following LMS musicals:
Seusical 2005
Fiddler on the Roof 2006
Grease 2007
Dear Edwina 2008
Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood 2009
There is a Monster in my Closet 2010
The Story of Hansel & Gretel 2011
Welcome to Bedside Manor 2012
Thoroughly Modern Millie 2013
“Student Talent Show” 2014, 2015
The Little Mermaid Jr. 2015
High School Musical Jr. 2016
Mulan Jr. ,2018
Singing in the Rain Jr., 2019
Little Shop of Horrors, 2022
The Wizard of Oz, 2023
High School Musical Jr., 2024
Frozen Jr., 2025
LCSD Summer Program (Engineering Group) 2021-23
Teacher/Planner of Micron Chip Camp LMS 2023, 2024
Assistant coach for LMS Science Olympiad team
Student Council Co-Advisor from 2006 - 2007
Participated in LMS vs Cancer Charity Basketball Game 2005 - 2009, (DJ 2010), 2011 - 2016
Lead trainer for Power Grade & Power School
Mentor teacher for Technology Education (and other subjects)
LMS Building Representative for Educational Technology 2006 - 2010
Chaperone Montreal French Club trip 2010 & 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Chaperone Quebec City French Club trip 2007, 2009, 2013, 2024
Chaperone Toronto 8th grade trip 2007
Chaperone NYC Choral trip 2006, 2008
Chaperone Student Council New York State Capitol Trip 2007
Chaperone Dances, Fun Nights, and Fund Raisers at LMS
Presenter at 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies.
Presenter at Evenings of Recognition.
Liverpool Middle School (SET) School Excellence Team 2010-15
Liverpool Middle School (ILT) Instructional Learning Team 2015-17
Liverpool Middle School Safety Team 2011-2024
Liverpool Middle School Webmaster 2011-2014
Liverpool Middle School LMS Connections Newsletter Editor/Publisher 2011-2014
Liverpool Middle School High Altitude Balloon launch team 2014, 2015, 2017 (STEM Club Advisor)
Liverpool Middle School Archery Club Instructor 2013-2024
Professional development is an important part of all careers, especially in the field of Technology Education. Each year I try to attend technology - based conferences and travel to places of technological significance. Some of the most rewarding have been:
Distinguished Visitor Tour of USS Delaware (SSN-791), Naval Submarine Base, Groton, CT. 2024
Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Inc. Clarence, NY 2022
Masia School Tanzania, Africa 2019
TecSMART Wind, Photovoltaic, and Geothermal Installation Tour Malta, NY 2017
Rosamond Gifford Zoo Green Infrastructure Syracuse, NY 2016
Public Safety Building Syracuse, NY 2016
NUCOR Steel of Auburn, NY 2015
Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2014 & 2016
World MAKER FAIRE (MAKE Magazine showcase), NYC 2013 & 2016, 2017
Bon Echo (Pictograph Writing Tour) Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada 2013
Warner Energy (Solar/Wind projects), Liverpool, NY 2012
Silver Queen Mica Mine Tour, Ontario, Canada 2012
New York State STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) conference 2012
NYSERTA Hydrogen Energy Workshop Syracuse, NY 2012
Space Shuttle Atlantis final launch Titusville, Fl. 2011
NYSERTA Sustainable Energy Workshop Utica, NY 2011
New York State STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) conference 2010
SUNY Oswego's annual Fall Technology Conference 1991 - 2024
New York State Technology Education Association's conferences 1993-Present
New York State Middle School Association's conference
History & Evolution of Technology, Italy 2007
Mars Rover lecture and tour at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY 2007
Alaskan oil pipeline, Exxon oil spill & recovery in Valdez, AK 2006
Weather & Global Climate Change Mt. Washington, NH
NASA Space Shuttle teachers update at Kennedy Space Center, FL 2002
Welch Allyn Manufacturing facility in Skaneateles, NY 1995
Corning Museum of Glass opening for teachers in Corning, NY 2001
Tour of Contico Plastic Manufacturing facility, MO. 1993
Personally, I live in the village of Liverpool with my wife, a certified teacher in art who is currently an art teacher in Rome. My two step children are graduates of Liverpool High School. Our son is a Senior in Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Our daughter is a Communications Major at OCC. We love living in the village. Being in a community that has much within walking distance has really enhanced our lives. Onondaga Lake Park, Johnson Park, Golden Bee Bookstore, Sugar Blossom Cake Shop, & Liverpool Library, are some of our favorite places to go in the village. I am a member of the Village Tree Committee. My wife is Mayor of the Village of Liverpool. When we are not in school, we like to spend time outdoors, renovating homes, reading some good stories, and enjoying the company of our friends, family, and neighbors.