Sterling McNeal dedicates 20 years to the classroom in Effingham County
McNeal says working with high school students over the last two decades has been fun and interesting.
McNeal says working with high school students over the last two decades has been fun and interesting.
McNeal says working with high school students over the last two decades has been fun and interesting.
Click here to nominate an educator for WJCL's Teacher Feature.
Sterling McNeal teaches English and AP Research at Effingham College and Career Academy. Originally from the Atlanta area, McNeal says teaching runs in his family.
"My mom was a teacher. I saw the impact she was able to make. It's not the profession that's going to make me a million dollars but if you can go home and feel like you've made a difference, that's much more important than having material things," McNeal said.
McNeal says working with high school students over the last two decades has been fun and interesting.
"In 20 years, something happens that didn't happen the year before. It's constantly changing and learning. They'll surprise you with what they can do just given the opportunity," McNeal said.
He says he's always enjoyed English and loves teaching it even more.
"It requires both knowledge and the skills to dig deeper. You have to know base knowledge about things but you also have to critically think and dig deeper about not what's just simply on the page but what is the author trying to say," McNeal said.
Teaching at the College and Career Academy, McNeal works with many students who are very advanced. He says he continues to be impressed by these young adults.
"It's really neat to see them find their voice and see them find themselves," he said. He continued that he hopes his students always remember this. "You're going to have to question things. You're going to have to think for yourself. If you can think for yourself, it's going to put you above everyone who can't," McNeal said.
McNeal was nominated for this award by one of his students. They say he is one of the best teachers they've ever had and he treats all his students like his own children.
"If you can make a difference and help and know that students can rely on us as a trusted adult, that means I've done my job," McNeal said.
Click here to see other teachers who have been honored with the WJCL 22 Teacher Feature Award.