biography

=﻿Andrew Wilson Sekelik=

...Not from Philly.
Yes, that's Hulk Hogan in the background.

I grew up and have spent my entire life in Pittsburgh. I attended North Allegheny High School and played baseball for all four years. I was fortunate enough to be a senior on the 2003 team where we won the WPIAL Championship against Shaler (the final year that the championship game was held at PNC Park). From there, I went to Ohio University and majored in Math 7-12. No baseball, but definitely enjoyed intramural softball over waking up at 6am for running and practice. After graduation, I searched for jobs at the big public schools in the area but couldn't find any luck. During my search, and e-mail came asking me if I would be interested in teaching in the Alternative Education Program. Although I was a little nervous and skeptical, I responded positively to the e-mail and went on my interview. The job, which I currently still have, is at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center. I can say with certainty that no college course would prepare me for my daily routine here.

I teach adjudicated youth between the ages of 10-18 (and yes, they could be in the same classroom). The average stay in our building is 8-15 school days. Because the stay is short term, my lessons have to be succinct. Students are enrolled and discharged on a daily basis so I have to be able to incorporate a student that comes in on Wednesday and has missed the first two days of the topic. With that said, my curriculum is fully customizable dependent upon what I deem is important and relevant. Sure, I need to hit the standards and inform the principal of my plans, but my students help me dictate what will (and wants) to be learned. I tend to focus mostly questions and topics that are found on the GED tests, for that is the average ability level of my students. Through the years I have developed the ability to differentiate the lessons for the needs of each student, as well as allow others to work on more complex work if they request. Overall, I wouldn't trade this job for much right now. I love working with troubled youth and help them learn something new each day.

Over the summer, the detention center mounted Smart Boards into the classrooms, along with projectors on the ceilings. This technology has done wonders for my classroom. My students are infatuated with the technology and love to participate in the lessons that are done with it. They stay engaged and the discovery learning that the Smart Board offers is priceless. In our staff, I would say that I, being among the youngest, have become a pseudo-trainer with the board to the other teachers in our building. Finally, they love the games that can be played on it. [|www.coolmath-games.com] has never received so many hits.

I found this program by searching for online IT master's programs. I'm hoping that this program will help me develop and build my knowledge of programs regularly found and used in a school setting. I would enjoy using this degree to become a Director of Technology for a public school in my area.

I'm 25 years old, play softball on three teams, bowl in a saturday league, and I'm a Gemini.....well.....maybe.