WBMS teacher finalist for prestigious award
VINTON-Steve Sizemore’s life is a Cinderella story of sorts. For most of his twenties, he bounced around from one odd job to the next, never landing anywhere worthwhile. Then one day, an old coach asked him if he had ever considered teaching.
Sizemore soon realized that he was indeed cut out for the profession, and in 2000 he graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in Education. Sizemore began his teaching career at Herman L. Horn Elementary School, and in 2004, he found a home at William Byrd Middle School.
WBMS teacher Steve Sizemore is one of three finalists for the McGlothlin Award for Teaching Excellence in secondary schools. Photo by Kristin Adams
Sizemore had finally found his true calling. He required nothing else.
Now he has been nominated for the 2010 McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence. Sizemore has a one in three chance to win $25,000; at the least, he will receive a trophy and a $1,000 check.
The purpose of the McGlothlin Awards is to recognize the best teachers in the area, and to reward them for their excellence. Every year, the McGlothlin Foundation asks for suggestions for its Awards for Teaching Excellence. Nominated teachers are asked to provide a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement about their teaching style. From these materials, 20 semi-finalists are selected, and are asked to provide a lesson plan and a 20-minute video of themselves teaching. The next round whittles these 20 semi-finalists down to three elementary school and three secondary school teachers.
To his surprise, Sizemore, a Byrd graduate himself, was continually advanced to the next round. He is now in the process of preparing for his interview with the McGlothlin judges, and for one of his classes to be observed.
“I will do what I do, and what happens, happens,” Sizemore said about the classroom observation.
He will be judged on classroom instruction and management, interaction with students, and use of technology. By April 13th, the winner will be chosen, and a check will be cut.
While the importance of the McGlothlin Award has sunk in, Sizemore is still in shock. In fact, he is a little embarrassed by the fanfare surrounding him. He never asked for the attention this award has brought.
“You don’t do this for an award,” Sizemore said about teaching.
The sixth grade history and eighth grade Civics teacher receives the most reward from helping students learn.
“I like seeing the kids coming to class, enjoy it, and be successful,” Sizemore said. “When the light bulb goes on, and you helped turn it on, that feels great.”
Another gratification which Sizemore receives is watching his eighth grade Civics students lose their apathy, and begin to take an interest in how their government is run.
“Every day is full of success,” Sizemore said. “Honestly, if you ask a teacher, there’s great stuff happening every day.”
Sizemore does not know who nominated him for the McGlothlin Awards. In fact, he is baffled by the nomination, and by his continual advancements in the award process. This is because Roanoke County, according to Sizemore, is filled with excellent educators.
“To be honest, I’m not doing anything that 100 other teachers in this building aren’t doing,” Sizemore said.
His teaching style centers around group work, critical thinking, and having the students solve problems right along with him.
“I don’t stand up there and teach that much,” Sizemore said.
He also uses technology to reach his students.
“We try to immerse them in their style of learning,” Sizemore said, “which is technology.”
Sizemore and his students created a website together, and are using a free online service to make video calls to students in Charlottesville and Richmond. The ultimate goal is for the Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Richmond students to finish a project together.
Sizemore also reaches his students by bringing humor into the classroom, and by relating to them on a more personal level.
“It just stems from respect. And they’ll give it back,” Sizemore said. “Just treat them like people.”
