Building up the 21st century skills of students and teachers is a key focus on education right now, said candidates competing for the opening of associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Natrona County

Mark Mathern and Henry Petty are the two finalists for the open position in the school district. Joel Dvorak held the position until he was named as the school district's new superintendent.

At a public forum Tuesday, Mathern and Petty said it's important to prepare teachers to educate students in career and technical education. Schools must focus on readying students for the future by focusing on areas such as math, science and technology, as well as life skills, they said.

"I think we're in an economy and a world where technology is rapidly surpassing what we as teachers can manage," Petty said. "I think that career and technical education is going to take on a larger role in education than it ever has."

Mathern said encouraging students to apply their knowledge to solve problems is also key in preparing them for their futures.

"21st century skills really focus on that," he said, noting that students should be challenged to a higher level of thinking.

Fewer than 20 people were at Tuesday evening's forum, which provided an opportunity for the audience to submit questions to the finalists.

Topics discussed during the forum included school safety and the impacts of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Mathern has been the school district's executive director for curriculum and instruction since 2000. He taught at Dean Morgan Junior High and Natrona County High School during the 1980s.

From 1991-95, he was assistant principal at Natrona County High School, and from 1995-2000 he was principal at Midwest School.

Petty is the principal at Expedition Academy Alternative High School in Green River. From 2003-06, he served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Green River.

Petty has also held teaching and administrative positions in Laramie, Kaycee, Worland and at Northwestern Wyoming Community College/Sheridan College in Gillette.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com