Michael Hall was named Missouri High School Teacher of the Year by Science Teachers of Missouri Association.
Hall says that humor, a student driven environment and the decision not to use textbooks are what made his award-winning curriculum and classroom environment unique.
“Really as a teacher, I just act as a facilitator," said Hall. "I kind of steer them in the right way and ask them questions to kind of lead them down the right path.”
Michael Hall was a classroom teacher for over 20 years before taking on the role of Jefferson City Public Schools Mentor and Instruction Coach.
“It’s kind of nice to be able to see the awesome things that are going on in some of those classrooms," said Hall. "I do miss being in the classroom a lot this year, but it’s a neat experience to go and help teachers perfect their craft.”
Hall cites his experience in Physics First, a training program, as the extra spark that enabled him to develop as a teacher.
“It was a transformational experience for me," he said. "It was the best professional development I’ve had in 21 years of teaching. I really felt like I learned how to teach for the first time. My hopes for other teachers would be to have that experience, to have some kind of a fire that kind of ignites that passion again, or for the first time.”
Hall will be recognized by the Jefferson City Public Schools Board of Education in November.
