Technology Coordinator

North Montgomery High School
Crawfordsville, IN

"A real teacher is one who endeavors to teach a student how to think, not what to think," says Ray Seale, who teaches physics and chemistry at North Montgomery High School in Crawfordsville. Mr. Seale came to the teaching profession gradually. After completing his undergraduate studies in chemistry, Mr. Seale entered the seminary at Wheaton College. In the course of pursuing his own graduate work, he was first asked to help grade chemistry papers and later asked to teach college-level chemistry. Given an opportunity to enter the classroom, Mr. Seale "discovered a real love for the profession." It also proved to be a lasting love. In his classroom today, Mr. Seale tries to create an unthreatening environment where students are "encouraged to ask questions or express opinions without fear of embarrassment or ridicule." He also tries to make the subjects he teaches, subjects that are traditionally viewed as difficult, more accessible through the use of analogy, illustration, and guided questioning. "Teaching," he says, "should not be entered into for any reason other than the desire to help young minds reach their full potential."