PSU Grad Awarded NH Teacher of the Year

On Mon., Nov. 18th, the Plymouth State University chapter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) hosted NH's Teacher of the Year and PSU graduate, Joseph Lee, a social studies teacher at Pinkerton Academy. 

"The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching," according to education.nh.gov. 

At 29, Lee is a recent graduate, and PSU was very proud to have him as an  impressive alum. Lee received a warm welcome from his alma mater and credited much of his success in teaching to his time spent at PSU.

Lee took the floor to recount his experiences at PSU and in the education field. "Contemplate some of the leading questions we give you," said Lee. He believed the advice and life experiences provided by the panel of educators present would greatly help the aspiring educators in the audience as they begin their journey in the field.

While at Plymouth, Lee was an average student at first, yet turned his academics around after a life-changing experience studying abroad in Europe for a semester. Despite having to give up his passion for hockey for an entire semester, Lee returned to school with a new found passion for learning and culture. Lee states he was only able to discover this love, "Once I was able to remove myself from the comforts of home."

This passion for culture has not waned, and has translated into his career through his participation in chaperoning student trips to China through an exchange program at Pinkerton Academy. Lee is adamant about his high school students having the opportunity to travel as he did at PSU.

The topics Lee spoke on ranged from balancing sports with academics and the impact technology is having on the modern classroom, to taking responsibility for your learning, and always striving to better yourself as a student and market yourself as a professional. All relevant topics to the Plymouth undergraduates in attendance.

Lee opened up discussion to allow the students in the audience to ask any questions. Accompanying Lee was a panel of fellow, recent PSU graduates in the education field. They were available to answer student questions and helped give valuable insight to the education undergraduates in the crowd.

Most students wanted to know everything about the day in the life of a teacher. What their first year was like? What they did to differentiate themselves and get an interview with a school? What they suggested including in a resume? Whether or not students should get their master's degrees before heading out in to the field? These were all timely questions and, luckily, the panel participants had answers not for just education majors, but all students.

This advice ranged from networking, staying in touch with professors after you graduate, volunteering at events geared towards one's desired job, to go to conferences if the opportunities arise, and even marketing one's self using a personal website to display your work. "Go beyond the paper," said Lee, when it comes to resumes.

PSU is a stepping stone for students to go off to their careers and do great things. Though every student may not receive as prestigious an award as that given to Lee, he shows that every PSU student has the potential to make a difference in their chosen field.