About+Marcinek

===My name is Andrew Marcinek and I am a high school English teacher and a ELA Professor at Montgomery County Community College. One of my focuses in the classroom is integrating technology with current language arts curriculum. I am a 2003 graduate of The University of Miami. I received my Bachelors of Science in Communications and double majored in English Literature. I completed my student teaching at Radnor High School in December 2005 under the supervision of Jeanne Lynam and received my Instructional I Certification in English 7-12 from Eastern University. In 2006, I completed my Masters in Multicultural Education from Eastern University. I have taught in Colonial School District, Lower Merion School District and Springfield Township School District. I currently teach at the Boys' Latin Charter school of Philadelphia.===

===I teach in a classroom that is equipped to meet the needs of the 21st century student. My lessons are presented in a diverse manner and maintain the flexibility to meet the learning styles of all students. I utilize various Web 2.0 tools for teaching. I use Wikispaces, Learner Blogs, Flickr tools, podcasts and Windows Movie Maker.===

WHY I TEACH I teach to give back. Education is the foundation of our society and has produced many great leaders throughout our history. No educational journey is the same. We all come from different roots, paths, experiences that shape our educational journey. It is my goal as an educator to give students all they need for their own journey. I look back on my own failures and experiences and develop academic and life lessons to pass on to my students. I want my students to stumble, trip and fall down throughout my class. This is how I learn. This is how I want my students to learn.

I have taught in suburban schools my entire teaching career. The experience was challenging and rewarding, but I wanted more. I wanted a new challenge in my career. I came to Boys’ Latin for the unique experience of teaching young boys how to become young men. The Boys’ Latin environment allows me to teach young boys in a structured setting in which students are anxious to learn. It also allows me to bring the outside world of these young men into the classroom, through community service projects. Building community through education is how we make changes in our world.

The Boys’ Latin environment allows me to collaborate with a diverse collection of educators. My position allows me the flexibility to deliver my own content and incorporate the ideas of my colleagues. The 21st century student is constantly changing. The ability to synthesize content and technology is readily available at the Boys' Latin School. Today's student needs to be awed, wowed and challenged with rigorous content that incorporates technology. At Boys' Latin this philosophy is a reality. It is evident in the vision of all who pass through the doors.

One of my greatest achievements and greatest struggles as a teacher came in 2008. My senior class selected me to deliver the faculty address at commencement. It was an honor and a privilege to be selected; however, I struggled with the message to deliver. I did not know what message I could deliver that they couldn’t already google. Then I came up with three points in which to address. These three points focused my address and really hit home with many of my students. Several students wrote me letters and e-mails after my speech and thanked me for the advice and that my words really made sense to them. Hearing this allowed me to reflect on why I teach. I teach to give back.
 * Step outside your comfort zone and participate in new experiences.
 * Be true to yourself.
 * Call your parents or family frequently

Mr. Andrew P. Marcinek

