Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/99010
Making a difference "I love what I do!" says John Sell full-time computer technicians, for example), including a supportive, helpful administration. Sell has been teaching for 22 years, 11 at Caesar Rodney and 11 at Sussex Tech. He holds a bachelor of science degree in English Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; a master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction from Delaware State University; and has completed doctoral coursework in educational leadership at Northcentral University in Arizona. When John Sell was in high school back in Altoona, PA, his mother commented, "I think you'd make a great teacher." eaching was just an idea of a possible career, says Sell, until he did student teaching. "I knew then. It was a natural fit. Thank you, Mom!" But Teacher of the Year? Mom knew. She saw his winning personality, how he used humor to relate to people and help them open up and be ready to learn something new. But for son John, despite being named Sussex Tech's Teacher of the Year, this state honor was no fait accompli. When his name was announced by Gov. Jack Markell at the state's Teacher of the Year banquet in late October, Sell had no remarks prepared. None? "Sitting there, seeing videos of what the other district teachers are doing - they're all so amazing - I knew for sure that it wouldn't be me." He's still smiling from ear to ear, "Humbling, surreal, surprising, really a gift from my colleagues," is how he describes this honor. "I hope I find the time to enjoy this year and embrace the experiences. I think I'm ready, and I'm really looking forward to it now." Sell embraces technology so students and parents have access to their class work 24/7 T "I work with some outstanding teachers" At Sussex Tech High School, and previously at Caesar Rodney High School, he says he survived because of his colleagues, and continues to learn from them today "They have . taught me so much," he says. "I suppose I'm not unlike many Teachers of the Year in that way, that we get better not only through our own experience, but by trying the techniques of other teachers, and collaborating with them to reinforce each other's goals. It's the best professional development there is." "I learn amazing things from my colleagues," praises John Sell, "which is why I think I received this honor. It's because of them that I'm Teacher of the Year." Some of the best things happen when you least expect them Cub Scout leader, tennis coach, Sunday School teacher, Bible School leader, professional development instructor, teacher leader – Sell's wife Michelle knew that someday her husband would be recognized for all that he does. Also an English teacher, she teaches at Postlethwait . Middle School in Caesar Rodney This year Sell teaches five sections of 10th grade English. Last year he taught only 11th and 12th grade English. "Now I understand what 'being a DCAS teacher' means," he says. In addition, he also teaches two sections, Composition I and II, a Delaware State University writing course through which his junior and senior students can earn both high school and college credit. He has a flotilla of iPads and MacBook Pros that these students use. Next year he hopes to have an agreement with Widener University to offer one of their English courses. And in the future? "An Associates Degree, free of charge," he says. Where does the time go? "Those tiny pockets of free time we used to have? They're gone. 24 Nov./Dec. 2012 DSEA ACTION! PLCs (Professional Learning Communities), RTTT (Race to the Top), RtI (Response to Intervention), NCLB (No Child Left Behind), mandatory requirements, policies, new initiatives, implementing Common Core curriculum, more scrutiny, more accountability – there is no more discretionary time." He is quick to add, however, that PLCs, for example, "… are making us better. We're sharing more. I think that today we're all more aware of what we're doing and why we're doing it." Over the next few years, he believes, we'll see the results. "If implemented well, and that's the key of course, we'll be using the best tools and the best assessments." Though he is known for his innovative use of technology to connect with students "where they live," that's not at the heart of what makes him a great teacher. It's the engaging personality, the love of language and the written word, and his sense of humor so that his students have fun and want to come to his class. "I like to make people laugh," he says. He readily admits that he also loves what he does because of the excellent working conditions at Sussex Tech (the school has four Using MyCompLab, a Pearson product, Sell's Comp I and II students post their papers online; Sell grades them online; posts the grades in the online grade book; sends the papers back to the students, with comments. "And there are no penmanship issues," he notes. "And no one's dog has eaten an assignment." For his tenth grade students, everything is online, too. Using Blackboard software, he puts books, vocabulary lists, homework assignments and objective tests online. "Everything is there for parents to see, too, so it's easier for them to know how to help." Using the free Quiz Star software, he creates quizzes, attaches multimedia files to questions. Students go to the same site to take the quizzes. "And in our English department, we've started sharing data from these quizzes with each other," he says. What's next? He'd like to keep trying new technology to make the learning and teaching process even more seamless. Maybe even making videotaped classes available. "And I have to keep having fun, keep making what I do real for the kids. Having a sense of humor is key for any relationship. For some kids, there aren't many people in their lives who make them laugh. In the end, it's about making sure that students see a sincere, honest person, every day, someone they can trust and respect and from whom they can learn." www.dsea.org