Bonnie Tiell, associate professor of management and associate dean of gradate studies at Tiffin University, spoke Tuesday morning at the Chamber of Commerce 28th annual Administrators and Educators Appreciation Breakfast at the Community Civic Center. Tiell suggested each educator approach the new school year with the attitude of an Olympian.
Think of teaching as having three levels, she said, with bronze, silver and gold levels of achievement. Bronze-level teachers show organization, preparedness and consistency, she said. Silver-level teachers have passion for what they do, and gold-level educators put others before themselves and lead from behind.
"Education is a life-long, life-changing career," she said.
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PHOTO BY KAREN KIN
Bonnie Tiell, associate professor of management and associate dean of gradate studies at Tiffin University, holds a souvenir from the Summer Games in London.
Tiell, who recently returned from the Summer Games in London as part of the Tiffin University Olympic Academic Experience, told those in attendance that "education is power, and brings light to issues." Two countries participating in the London games, she said, sent women athletes for the first time, and just as the Olympic games promoted peace, solidarity and human rights, education also can be an important forum for cultural change.
Tiell said her experience at the games reminded her of the benefit of learning from those around her, and relying on the ingenuity of others.
Robert Johnston, art teacher at Tiffin Columbian High School, received the 2012 Outstanding Educator Award at the breakfast. Johnston, who has taught art at Columbian for 25 years, while accepting the award, shared an emotional story about his mother's rewarding life as a teacher.
