Every August, students load up on supplies, stuff their brand-new backpacks, say goodbye to their parents, and head off to school, where teachers and staff eagerly await them for the start of the new academic year. At the front of the classroom, teachers stand with a smile and an attendance sheet, getting ready for the start of the 180-day grind that is the school year. For some teachers, it is their first day in charge of a classroom full of students; for others, it’s been decades. Every year, the bell rings for school to start, young eyes turn to the front of the room, and many Sigma Nu teachers pick up their dry-erase markers and begin to lead a new generation.
Brian Emory (Appalachian State) is one of those teachers who arrives each morning prepared to teach. Emory is entering his sixth year of teaching as a social studies teacher at North Lincoln High School in Lincolnton, N.C. His mother, who also teaches, inspired Emory to become a teacher, along with his enjoyment of working with youth as a camp counselor.
Sigma Nu played an important role in helping Emory find his passion for teaching. At Appalachian State, Emory began his experience in the Kappa Epsilon Chapter with no idea what he wanted to do with his future. After trying a few other majors, Emory realized that "education and working with children is something I loved. My brothers really encouraged me to do something I truly cared about, and I learned quickly that for me, that was teaching."
As Emory enters his sixth year, he has already seen firsthand the impact a teacher can have on students. In an end-of-the-year feedback survey, one student told him, "They will always remember me as their favorite teacher ever and that they could tell every day that I believed in them when so many others don't." This small reminder of the bigger picture of teaching throughout the school year is why Emory keeps pushing to be a better teacher. "That may seem small, but little things like that are unforgettable because that's why I do this."
Dr. Marc Spittler (Cal State San Bernardino) is beginning his twenty-fourth year of teaching. Spittler teaches AP European History and AP World History at Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Fla., and serves as an assistant tennis coach. Before becoming a teacher, Spittler served as a deputy sheriff in Los Angeles County, California. After retiring from the Sheriff's Department due to an injury, Spittler wanted to continue his public service and transitioned to teaching.
The environment of the Lambda Chi Chapter at Cal State San Bernardino helped Spittler become a teacher because numerous brothers were entering the education field. "Sigma Nu allowed me the ability to work with other people from various and diverse backgrounds and take that experience and apply it to what I was doing on a daily basis," he shared. Diversity was a huge element of Spittler's college experience. Understanding different cultures has enabled Spittler to be a better teacher.
The best experience for Spittler, as he continues his teaching career, is having students come back after they graduate and talk about their careers, life, and educational goals. One of the important aspects of teaching is "the connections you make with people and the impact you're able to have on students."
Steven Stefanick (Oklahoma) is entering his seventh year as the acting Superintendent of Harding Charter Preparatory School District, a charter district in Oklahoma City that has grown from one school to three, from 30 employees to 90, and from 430 students to 1,100 under his leadership. Stefanick attributes his leadership role to the LEAD program at the Delta Epsilon (Oklahoma) Chapter.
"I wanted to have a career that makes an impact on our future generations and a career that has no dull moments," Stefanick shares. He has not found many dull moments in the teaching profession. Instead, it has been a career full of many rewarding experiences. One of Stefanick's favorite experiences as a teacher is watching his students raise over $100,000 for local non-profit organizations such as the Oklahoma Make-A-Wish Foundation and Anna's House Foundation.
The opportunity to help and teach students valuable leadership skills was fostered during Stefanick's collegiate experience. He served as a Commander, Lt. Commander, and LEAD Chairman, which allowed him to practice the highly valuable soft skills needed in an educator. "The opportunities to expand on my leadership skills, to focus on serving all stakeholders in a school environment, was a lot like my collegiate environment during my time in Sigma Nu."
As Emory, Spittler, and Stefanick go into another year of teaching, they have some words of advice for any future teachers.
Stefanick values "challenging your students to the highest level by providing an enriching and rigorous curriculum. All students should have an equal opportunity at a quality education in an equitable environment."
Emory's advice is, "You may have a lot of people try to talk you out of it. You'll hear about the poor pay and the bad politics that go into it, but if you feel like it's what you truly want to do, then go for it. Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers there is. It's an incredible opportunity to work with students and watch them achieve their goals. It really is an amazing career, and if you think it's for you, then don't let anyone or anything keep you from going after it."
Spittler offers a similar take on teaching. "I joke that I did not want to wear a tie and go to work a nine-to-five job after leaving law enforcement or the military, but this has been an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience."
Across the nation, Sigma Nu is working to develop ethical leaders for today's society. And for these three alumni, and many others like them, they are educating those same future leaders for tomorrow.