Delaware Teacher selected for hometown heroes flight with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will honor a Delaware hero June 18 with a flight in one of the team's F-16 Falcon fighters.

Mark Teesdale is a general music and chorus teacher for fourth and fifth graders at Lake Forest Central Elementary School in Felton and is the 2009 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

The Thunderbirds are performing at the Dover Air Force Base Open House and Air Show June 20-21, and they selected Mr. Teesdale for the flight to honor his contributions to the community.

"Teachers are given the most awesome responsibility in the world," said Mr. Teesdale. "We are entrusted with shaping the minds of children. As a music teacher, I do my best to take that idea one step further and aim to touch souls. A background in music and an understanding of music will help students develop into adults who will lead fuller lives."

The New Jersey-native earned his bachelor's degree in music education from West Chester University in 1983 and a master's degree from Wilmington University in 2006. He began his teaching career in 1983 in New Jersey and moved to Delaware in 2001.

Sara Sipple, one of his fifth grade students, said Mr. Teesdale is one of her favorite teachers because he shows students, such as her, how to enjoy music.

"I love having music class, because he is very talented on the piano and at singing," said Miss Sipple. "Also, he's funny and cares about his students."

Cathy Zimmerman, Lake Forest Elementary School principal, agrees with Miss Sipple about Mr. Teesdale's caliber as a teacher.

"He works well with children," said Ms. Zimmerman. "He's able to mold them and give them their stage."

In October, Mr. Teesdale was recognized for his professionalism at a banquet at the Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center in Dover before a crowd of 450 educators, administrators, legislators and former state teachers of the year.

"I was very surprised when Governor (Ruth Ann) Minner called my name as the Delaware Teacher of the Year," said Mr. Teesdale.

The nominees considered for the honor went through a selection process of in-class observations, portfolio reviews and a panel review that selects the teacher of the year for Delaware.

In June, Mr. Teesdale will be able to add another once-in-a-life time experience to his resume' -- a flight with the U.S. Air Force's best of the best; the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

That day he will be accompanied by his boss, Ms. Zimmerman, who will watch him take off from the Dover AFB flight line and soar through the skies.

"I'm so excited about this flight, and it's such an honor to be selected," said Mr. Teesdale. "It's been an amazing year, and I want to thank the Air Force for giving me this opportunity."