things
things to know about:
1. SHE WILL RETIRE IN JUNE AFTER 34 YEARS IN THE BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Dawn Bichler began her career as a student teacher at McAnnulty Elementary School in 1991 and has worked in the District ever since, first as a substitute and then as a permanent classroom teacher.
2. SHE DREAMED OF BEING AN EDUCATOR SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD HERSELF.
“ I have always wanted to be a teacher. I played school from the time I was little with my stuffed animals and babydolls. As I grew older, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I heard the phrase‘ knowledge is power,’ and I took it to heart. I wanted to help others have that power also.”
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to know about:
His athletic career informs his work 1. HE. WORKS AS A FREELANCE
Brown played PRODUCER defensive AND AS tackle A for McKeesport PRODUCER High School FOR PENSTV before. attending“ Kent I am in State charge University of clipping, on a labeling, and managing all the full athletic scholarship. He went on footage that comes in after a game
to play football in arena and semipro leagues before returning to the
night from Sportsnet Pittsburgh, and then transcoding our own area to in-arena
coach. footage
He’ s been into files
a teacher that are and Assistant easier to Athletic work with Director. In addition at, I’ ll McKeesport also be, where at UPMC he Lemieux still serves Center as Dean covering of Discipline practice. when needed
He and recognizes helping with other that shoots athletics in the office are. If a I’ m key working aspect a game of night developing, I also get to students go out and shoot. a game from time to time.”
Brown 2. HE believes WAS DRAWN academics TO STORYTELLING and athletics THROUGH complement VIDEO one another WHILE. A“ You STUDENT learn AT so HARRISON much on the MIDDLE field SCHOOL that you. don’ t get in Cardillo the classroom recalls,“ I think. It my teaches interest you in the about field of being video production a family, how started to communicate in middle school with, and people watching, people and build on YouTube discipline make for some the rest of the of first your high life quality. Getting‘ indie films up’ on for that work platform is tough. It’ s, but something you learn I tried the to discipline do for myself— that while this in eighth is what grade I need with to do my for friends my family. Once we— from got to athletics high school.” we all joined the Video
Production classes with Brad Schulte and from there it took off.” He heads a non-profit to equip athletes.
Teacher Dawn Bichler
3. SHE LOVES EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO GROW.
“ It is so rewarding when I see a student accomplish a goal, no matter how small. Seeing their eyes light up when they grasp a new concept is one of the best parts of my job. Being able to celebrate a student’ s achievement with them strengthens the relationships that I’ ve built with each of them. That personal and academic connection is what makes my job so fulfilling.”
4. SHE KNOWS EDUCATION IS NOT A SOLO UNDERTAKING.“ One thing that I absolutely love about my job is the‘ work family’ that I have gained over the years. Many of my colleagues have become lifelong friends. The connections we’ ve built go well beyond the classroom and I cherish the relationships that have developed.”
5. SHE UNDERSTANDS TEACHERS PROVIDE MORE THAN INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.
“ A student’ s emotional well-being is more important than academics. If a child does not feel safe, is hungry, or afraid, they will not learn anything academic. I make it a priority that all of my students know that I am a safe person and they can tell me anything. Emotional needs need to be met before any academic learning can take place.”
Alumnus Marc Cardillo
Along with his cousin, Ty-Meer Brown, Athletic Director at Woodland Hills, Brown founded STATUS: Studentathletes Taking Action To Universally Succeed. The organization 3. HIS BHS EDUCATION guides young GAVE athletes HIM AN ADVANTAGE with information ONCE and HE tools LANDED to continue IN COLLEGE to. grow in their athletic and academic
“ Our video careers production through course mentoring gave us all
, extreme education hands-on, and experience in the video world. I did not realize how unique scholarships. Visit status412. com to find out more.
that was until I was in my first 101 class at Point Park and some He freshmen builds had a never rapport touched of a camera respect before with that his class. From
players then on I. was even more grateful for the time that we were given after school and in class by Mr. Schulte to pursue our
Brown has been warmly received by his students, who creative visions.”
appreciate his investment in them. He explains,“ I’ m myself. I’ m not going to sugarcoat anything. I give
4. HE’ S PART OF A TALENTED CADRE FROM BHS. genuine love. I try to connect to them through being Cardillo says his craft is constantly evolving thanks to the real skilled
. Kids colleagues
see through he works
it alongside
immediately— many
if of
you whom
’ re wearing are a Baldwin mask. They grads, appreciate including Madison and Benedict respect( JRM that); authenticity Gino Bonidie.”
He( JRM’ s); energized Joey Bonidie( JRM by); the Nathan challenge Cardillo( JRM. & Point Park Esports); Ben Daley( JRM); Giuseppe Esposito( Motion Graphics
Baldwin’ s football program is coming off a bumpy Freelance); George Fowkes-Scoulos( JRM & Carnegie Science stretch Center
of); Ryan
seasons Peters
.( JRM
Brown & The
shares Camera
,“ Department
It’ s a challenge); Jill Weida
that I enjoy( JRM);. and At more the end. of the day, we have an opportunity to do something we can be really proud of. I preach to 5 my. HE kids FINDS that IT DEEPLY this team FULFILLING has to be TO the BE team PART that OF sets the VISUAL foundation STORYTELLING. My goal. is changing the focus. We“ got What into I enjoy a habit the most of is being creating okay. It is with the best losing feeling. in the We world have to me to to change create something that mindset, alone. You or with have a group, that to you hate can to all lose be proud more of and than call your love own. to And win it’ s.” a bonus if other people enjoy watching it too!”
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