A former Suffolk educator was recognized for his contributions to technology education by a state technology education organization.

John Monroe, who taught in Suffolk for the duration of his more than 30-year career, was honored by the Virginia Technology Education Association Wednesday during the opening luncheon of the 2011 VTEA conference, which Suffolk Public Schools is hosting.

In front of a room filled with other technology educators, VTEA board of directors president-elect Johnny Moye presented Monroe with a lifetime membership to the organization for his work.

“Mr. Monroe has been teaching technology for many years and has made a tremendous impact on our profession,” Moye said.

Gail Bess, Suffolk Public Schools’ coordinator of career and technical education, said technology educators in Suffolk and around the state should appreciate Monroe’s work.

“Please know you are loved very much,” she said. “We appreciated everything you’ve done.”

Monroe said it has been a privilege to be able to teach so many students in Suffolk, including multiple generations of some families.

“It means so much to know that the second generation and even the third have talked about me,” he said. “I want thank the parents and the people of Suffolk for allowing me to have their sons and daughters in my classroom.”

He said it made him to proud to look out into the crowd at the conference and see his former students who have gone to become technology educators.

He said teaching isn’t always easy, but every teacher has it in them to be great at what they do.

“It’s in you,” Monroe said. “And it’s in your blood. That’s why you are here to educate the young people.”

Monroe started his education career in 1961 teaching sixth and seventh-graders at Gresham Elementary School.

During his career, he taught technology at Southwestern, Forest Glen and Lakeland high schools.

After he retired in 1997, Monroe supervised student teachers at Old Dominion University and served as a consultant to the Chesapeake Public Schools’ Technology Student Association.