John Seelke, a mathematics teacher at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC, has had a significant and positive impact on the education of students and teachers over the past three years. He began his teaching career in 1998 in Massachusetts and subsequently taught at private schools in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC. He holds certification in grades nine through twelve mathematics.
Mr. Seelke is leading the way in the adoption of new technology by students and teachers and has encouraged textbook publishers to provide software to assist this effort. He has demonstrated that a core content teacher can successfully integrate technology as an instructional aid to promote student engagement and raise student achievement.
Mr. Seelke offers individualized and specific feedback to his students, encouraging them to become engaged in their own learning process. He so inspired one student that her confidence level and mathematics skills soared, leading her to tutor younger students. Mr. Seelke has high expectations for his students and supports every student’s achievement. He challenges students to succeed. He enters teams in the National Society of Black Engineers Trimathalon, with one recent team making it to the regional level. Parents describe themselves as blessed for their children to have Mr. Seelke as a teacher. He is seen as doing what a teacher is supposed to do: inspire and light a fire. Colleagues praise Mr. Seelke’s collaborative approach. He reaches out to all, bringing together the right team to work together for a solution.
Mr. Seelke has a B.S. and B.A. from Duke University and an M.Ed. from Boston College. He is pursuing a M.A. in education leadership and policy at the University of Maryland.