Distinguished Teacher David Shannon

After 30 years as a computer programmer, materials and manufacturing engineer and project leader in the aerospace industry, I pursued a career in education. I felt that I could use my experience as an engineer to add some real-world applications to the math and science that is taught. One of the most rewarding things about teaching is seeing the expression on a student's face when they realize that they really do "get it", and knowing I had some small part in their success.

My advice to new teachers is to focus on the positive, take pride in your successes, and not get discouraged when a lesson doesn't work as planned. It happens to the most experienced teachers.