Director of the Signature Learning Center
and
Supervisor of Alternative Schools
Evansville, IN
|
EDUCATION:
F.J. Reitz High School, 1977; B.S. in Communications,
Indiana State University-Evansville, 1984; additional
study at ISU-Terre Haute and ISU-Evansville, Aurora University,
Oakland City College, and the University of Southern
Indiana.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES AND
AWARDS: Began teaching eighth grade English,
speech, and drama at Troy Township School Corporation
in Tell City, 1984; moved to F.J. Reitz High School
in 1985. Indiana Teacher of the Year and one of four
national finalists, 1996; Sallie Mae Award as Outstanding
First Year Teacher, elected as a coach to the Indiana
Speech Hall of Fame after eight of his championship
speech and debate teams (now involving 142 students)
won all-America honors in the National Forensic League,
won 30 state championships, a 20th consecutive sectional
tournament, and four national championships.
PERSONAL: Wife, Angela.
Children: Two daughters.
EXCERPTS from comments
by colleagues: "If Dan were to bleed, he would
bleed blue and gray," the school colors, that's
how his dedication to F.J. Reitz High School is manifested
by his motivational teaching, administration, coaching,
and cheering.
He teaches freshmen who are at-risk of
dropping out, school being the lowest priority on their
lists, but he couples kindness, humor, and candor to
build trust with these struggling youth. He is called
a classic example of the at-risk youth who are touched
during their formative years by excellent teachers.
He is repaying a new generation.
In an annual contest to donate
Thanksgiving food for the homeless, Durbin's class
has never lost -- its 12,000 cans last year doubling
the nearest competitor. Each of the school's five
floors have computer learning labs, a credit also
to Durbin's ability to raise awareness in local area
industrial firms. Students, colleagues, and members
of the community see him as "the Ambassador
of F.J. Reitz High School." |
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