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Teacher presented with Excellence in Education award

Posted on: February 26, 2021
Mr. Shirley receives Excellence in Education award

Mr. Shirley receives Excellence in Education award

Congratulations to our own Mr. Derik Shirley, who was awarded with the Excellence in Education Award on February 17. This prestigious award was presented by the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (ESC), which provides services focused on preschool services, school improvement, and special education. 

This prestigious award is presented to an individual who has exceeded all expectations in his/her position in education, showing an incredible commitment to his/her students in ensuring they are receiving as many opportunities as possible. Mr. Shirley has exceeded expectations time and time again, proving to be deserving of the Excellence in Education award. 

Mr. Shirley is a science teacher at Monroe Central. This past summer, he spent several weeks participating in professional development in order to teach Biomedical Science through Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW is a nonprofit organization that aims to reinvent the classroom experience by providing pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science that engage students in hands-on activities, projects, and problems, allowing them to solve real-world challenges. 

Mr. Shirley began teaching Biomedical Science at MC the fall of 2020 – and starting any new course in the midst of a pandemic is a challenge! Out of the nine students who completed the End of Course exam for this course, Principles and Practice of Biomedical Sciences, seven students scored in the Accomplished range, with the other two scoring in Proficient, just points away from Accomplished. The seven students who scored in Accomplished are now eligible to apply for college credit through PLTW’s partnership with various colleges. Currently, Mr. Shirley is teaching PLTW’s Genetics of Disease and plans to expand course offerings in the future. 

In addition to his going above and beyond to bring new courses to his students, Mr. Shirley serves as the District Lead for High School Science on the District Leadership Team, coaches basketball and track, and teaches Theatre Arts. He is also a key member of several teams, including The Monroe Central Building Leadership Team, leader of the MCHS Science team, and is one of three faculty members who make up the building Response to Intervention and Multi-tiered System of Supports team. 

When he is not teaching, coaching, or participating in his teams, Mr. Shirley also helps out with bus duty after school, and he spent his summer tutoring students to ensure their success at MC. 

Mr. Shirley is a model of what it means to be a teacher, leader, and team player. We could not be more proud or thankful to have Mr. Shirley as a part of our MCHS family.