Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2014

Mauldin High’s Adam Scheuch Named GCS Teacher of the Year

Adam ScheuchGreenville County Schools Superintendent W. Burke Royster today announced the selection of Adam Scheuch, band director at Mauldin High School, the 2014-15 Greenville County Teacher of the Year. Also, two Emerging Teachers of the Year were announced.

Adam Scheuch, Band and Music Appreciation, Mauldin High School

2014-15 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

When he was a junior in high school, Mauldin High Band Director Adam Scheuch realized that he wanted to pass along his own enjoyment of music to the next generation. Encouraged by his teachers, he began teaching private trumpet lessons to middle school students, and soon discovered that he wanted to become a teacher.

He graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Education, and earned a Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He has served as Band Director at Mauldin High since 2004.

Scheuch says he learned a lot during his first year of teaching that helped him become the teacher he is today. The most important lesson was that all students want to be loved for who they are. “Students participate in band for a wide variety of reasons, least of which is to become the best musician in history. The one common bond among all of my students is that they still seek the love and approval of the adults in their lives,” said Scheuch.

A 16-year veteran teacher, Mr. Scheuch has made a tremendous impact on the lives of hundreds of band students. “We use the most difficult of times to rally around each other for support,” he said. “Whether it’s the unexpected loss of a parent, or a sibling’s life cut short, our students step up to console each other. There is an outpouring of emotion and physical support that continues through their time in band.”

In 2011, this National Board Certified teacher took the Mauldin High band to New Orleans to perform during the half-time show at the Sugar Bowl. While there, they partnered with the Roots of Music, a local charity that provides needy students with free meals, academic tutoring, music lessons, and transportation. “Nearly all of the students were from the areas most devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” explained Scheuch. “Our students delivered 42 donated instruments and $450 to help their cause. Many tears of joy were shed that night as our own students learned to be more grateful for what they have.”

Mr. Scheuch wants his students to carry on a tradition of excellence not just in music, but in all aspects of life. “I convince young people that they matter, that their entire team matters, that achievements only come through hard work, and that reaching goals through hard work is satisfying in and of itself,” he said. “I have embedded in them the need to be gracious losers and even more gracious winners, to take responsibility for their actions, and to recognize how their contributions affect those around them. Music is simply the avenue I use to achieve my greatest accomplishment: I develop better human beings.”

Congratulations, Adam Scheuch, 2104-15 GCS Teacher of the Year!

First Runner-up

David Evette, Special Education
Tanglewood Middle School

“My classroom requires heavy doses of grace and flexibility. Lesson plans are suggestions on what should happen in a class period; however, changes have to be made quickly to adjust for student outbursts and to maximize moments of calmness and focus. My students may be standing up, walking around, or rocking in their chair, but when asked, they can tell you what they are learning.”

Second Runner-up

Grant Hunter, Mathematics
Wade Hampton High School

“Many teachers are amazed that I am not in front of my classroom lecturing from bell to bell. My students can watch me do the most difficult problems all day long, but until they sit down and tackle the problems themselves, I cannot be sure they truly understand what they have learned. I am a firm believer that students must do in order to learn.”

Third Runner-up

Jake Gambrell, Second Grade
Oakview Elementary School

“My students and I have ongoing dialogue about my role as a student in graduate school and completing my National Board Teaching Certification. I made sure to involve them in celebrating the completion of these professional growth opportunities. I share the importance of earning foundational skills and how they, too, can succeed. It helps my students make personal connections between their present education and their future.”

Finalists

School Teachers of the Year

The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teachers of the Year. Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee. Five judges then selected the Top Ten finalists and the District Teacher of the Year.
How Are Finalists Chosen?

Each Top Ten candidate for Greenville County Teacher of the Year is judged on the nine areas included on the application form, a classroom visit, and an interview.
In the classroom, judges observe the teacher’s command of subject matter, classroom environment, communication skills, enthusiasm, creativity, and classroom management skills.

During the interview, candidates are judged on his or her use of effective communication skills, organization of response, knowledge and command of subject matter, and substance and relevance of response. The members of the Selection Committee are Dr. Temi Bidjerano, Furman University; Mrs. Kelly Nalley, former Greenville County Schools and South Carolina Teacher of the Year; Mr. Herb Johnson, Michelin North America; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; and Mr. Scott Powell, The Rotary Club of Greenville.

Teachers of the Year Recognized by Local Businesses

Emerging Teachers of the Year

All Teachers of the Year

Top Ten Finalists

Runners-up

Teacher of the Year

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