Michael J. Balko is the Seminole teacher of the week
February 21st, 2008, 7:53 pm Hobby Shops
Age: 56. Reason for becoming a teacher: I visited a United Cerebral Palsy Clinic to observe and wanted to work with special-needs children from that moment on. Greatest moment as a teacher: Helping a child to say their first spoken words. Most embarrassing moment as a teacher: One of my students asking me during class if I had ever heard Abraham Lincoln give a live speech. Favorite aspects of being a teacher: Working with children, seeing the joy in them when they learn something new. Just sharing in their joy of life. Least favorite part of teaching: Anything that takes me away from working with or for the children. Favorite movies: Old movies with a happy ending. It’s A Wonderful Life, Singing In The Rain, Top Hat, Holiday Inn, A Night at The Opera and The Quiet Man. Last book you read: Most of my outside reading involves studying the Bible. I do also enjoy reading books about history; I just finished one about the Orlando area. Favorite hobbies: Anything outdoors — bike riding, hiking, canoeing, fly fishing, wildlife viewing, traveling around the USA and Canada — building furniture, rock/fossil collecting and history. Family: Vickie, wife of 33 years; sons, Ryan, a 21-year-old college student, Jeremy, 30, and Tim, 26, both in the film industry; and my pet Aussie, Copper. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be and why? I might be a construction superintendent as my father was, or a naturalist in a national park. Person you most admire and why: Besides my parents, church leaders and schoolteachers, I would have to say my younger sister, Margie. She has survived and fully recovered from two near-death health problems and remains the same loving and caring person that she was as a child. She always has a way of making me feel happy. Nominated by: Spring Lake Elementary School Principal Alex Agosto. Full-time public and private school teachers in Seminole County are eligible for nomination. Nominators can be students or their parents, school staffers and friends, but not family members of the teacher. Information needed is the nominator’s name, phone number, the teacher’s name, school, grade they teach and a brief reason for their nomination. Nominations are limited to the first 40 received. To nominate a teacher, e-mail Tammie Wersinger at twersinger@orlandosentinel.com.
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Tags: 3 years, family members, fish, fishing, Hobbies, mom, parents, top hat, wonderful lifeRelated posts
