Dave Snider Receives Outstanding Teacher Award
WHS Science Dept. member David Snider is the 2016 recipient of the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Outstanding Teacher Award.
The award recognizes teachers in the district for dedication to their students including excellence in classroom teaching, commitment to the educational goals of the school district, and contribution to student growth and development beyond the classroom, according to the Wooster City Schools website.
Snider has been teaching in the Wooster City School District for 33 years and is certified to teach every science course the high school offers, according to Snider.
Of these courses, Snider has taught everything from astronomy to physical science to AP and IB chemistry.
Fellow Science Dept. member Shelly Silvaggi commends Snider’s teaching style and his ability to help students.
“He applies all of the science he is teaching to real-world scenarios, so that students always understand why the information is relevant,” Silvaggi said.
In deciding to become a teacher, Snider cites he would rather work with people than just sit behind a desk. Now Snider states his continued inspiration in teaching,
“I think what inspires me to keep teaching is seeing kids figure out what’s going on when they were not before,” Snider said.
Silvaggi notes Snider’s lasting influence on students, “Everywhere he goes, [Snider] runs into former students who are thankful that they had him as a teacher and role model,” Silvaggi said.
The award comes with an unrestricted $5,000, which is funded by the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones foundation, according to Snider.