Seeley has been with Seneca High School since its beginning
Seneca High School teacher Kirk Seeley said when a trivia question asking “What was Kirk Seeley’s first job at Seneca High School?” came up at the end of the calendar year faculty meeting, Seeley thought nothing of it. However, when the answer followed with “well his new role is Teacher of the Year,” Seeley got the surprise of the semester.
With his family at his side, Seeley gratefully accepted the Seneca High School Teacher of the Year award from his peers. Seeley, an alternate route teacher, credited his past teachers and current co-workers for helping him get where he is today.
“A lot of my teaching has been observing what others do here. To be given this award, inspired from teachers here, and to have them recognize what I am doing is an honor,” Seeley said.
Seeley started out at Seneca as a technician when it opened in 2003. Wanting to pursue a career in education and having a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, radio and television production, he went to Burlington County College, now Rowan College at Burlington County, to get his alternate route teaching certification at night while he worked during the day. In 2004, he was hired as a teacher at the high school. He now teaches television productions levels 1, 2 and 3.
Seeley said one of his favorite memories at the Lenape Regional High School District was his new teacher orientation at Cherokee High School, before he was introduced to the permanent staff at Seneca. He remembered a great amount of applause when it was announced he was moving from tech to teaching, and it made him realize what a supportive staff he was going into.
He also feels the students and parents are just as supportive and respectful.
“Working in this area has been great for me. (Everyone) supports each other; it is really unique,” Seeley said.
Seeley likes his job for how open ended it is. He feels he can teach children the technical aspects of the subject, while still allowing them to be creative.
“You can show students how to do a million things with a computer and camera, and each student has a different approach. The way they frame their subject and edit can change the audience’s perspective, and that has always been really fun to see,” Seeley said.
He has had students working around the world, utilizing what they have learned from the class in their jobs now. Seeley mentioned two of his former students, one is in Japan filming a short film and another took part in the Cannes Film Festival in France.
“Teaching might leave you tired, but you come back and read what (former students) are doing and you see that is exactly why you’re doing it. It is so rewarding,” Seeley said.
The greatest part of his job is interacting with people on a daily basis and always learning. He said his co-workers and students inspire him, and learning all of the different technology available for his classes keeps him busy and excited.
Seeley hopes his students gain individuality and ownership for their actions. Understanding how big technology is with students today, Seeley tries to teach his students to think before they speak, write, film or post online and other big life lessons.
“You care for them as individual students. I just want to see them become great people,” Seeley said.
Seeley is looking forward to seeing where the school and technology will go and wants to make sure they have the proper instruction for when other technology is integrated. He also said he has his master’s degree in educational leadership, management and policy, which could maybe lead to an interest in an administrative role.
Along with Seeley, guidance counselor Erica Maira was also chosen by the staff at the high school as the Seneca High School Educational Services Professional of the Year.
“The Teacher of the Year and the Educational Service Professional of the Year are part of the governor’s educator recognition program. Teachers are nominated by school staff and chosen by a selection committee. We are very proud of both staff members and their contributions to our school. Being recognized by your peers as an outstanding educator speaks to their innovation, their commitment to student achievement and to their service to students outside the classroom,” Seneca Principal Jeff Spector said.
