Every year, a group of the country’s most accomplished K-12 science, technology, engineering and math teachers are selected to participate in the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program.

This prestigious fellowship, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, allows teachers to spend 11 months in Washington, D.C., and serve in a federal agency or U.S. congressional office engaged in the national STEM education arena.

That’s why it’s such an honor for Matthew Bryant, a physics teacher at South Warren High School, to be selected among the nine 2019-20 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows.

The weight of this responsibility didn’t escape Bryant when he spoke to the Daily News last week about being recognized with the honor. Like any good teacher, his mind immediately went to the possibilities for his students.

“I feel like I have a lot of responsibility, but I’m also super excited to do it and looking forward to all the adventures as a result,” Bryant said.

Bryant wants to both grow as a physics teacher during the experience and bring an insider’s understanding of the government back to his classroom at SWHS.

That will no doubt carry several benefits for his students. A lot of stock is put into new classroom technology or effective assessments – and those certainly have their place – but we believe the biggest factor in student success is the quality of the teacher.

SWHS Principal Jenny Hester put it well in her comments to the Daily News.

“We are so proud of Mr. Bryant for being selected as an Albert Einstein Fellow,” Hester said in an email. “We know that the experiences of our educators have a direct impact on the teaching and learning that takes place in their classroom. I have no doubt that when Mr. Bryant returns, our students will benefit from the knowledge and experiences Mr. Bryant is afforded through this program.”

We wish Bryant luck during his next adventure in education and know he will represent South Warren well.