Hile receives 'a pat on the back' from his Academic All Star

Thursday, May 3, 2012
When Greencastle senior Alice Moore (left) was honored as an Indiana Academic All Star recently, her essay also garnered a Influential Teacher award for GHS teacher Glenn Hile.

The bell rings and I rush to Mr. Hile's class, going over arguments in my head, preparing for today's discussion.

This one sentence alone would be high enough praise for any educator -- a student rushing to class already thinking about the day's discussion? Amazing.

However, the complimentary sentence was only the beginning for Greencastle High School senior Alice Moore and her influential teacher Glenn Hile.

The essay was part of the reason Moore was selected as one of 40 Academic All Stars by the Indianapolis Star recently.

It was also a big part of the reason Hile was selected for an Influential Educator award at the Academic All Star program last month.

"It's totally in credit to her writing," the veteran social studies teacher said.

"In 34 years of teaching, the essay was the pat on the back for a long career," Hile said. "It was extremely well-written and complimentary."

Moore is the 10th Greencastle student to be recognized in the 26 years of the Academic All Star program. The National Merit Commended Student and National Honor Society vice president plans to attend Washington and Lee University this fall to pursue a career in law and public policy.

She is the daughter of Harriet and Kevin Moore.

Selection is not only based on the essay, but a combination of SAT/ACT scores, grade point average, extracurricular activities, leadership and community service and involvement.

Her essay, however, is a concise example of why the selection committee was so impressed.

"Mr. Hile facilitates discussion of relevant issues in the classroom, and his discussions continue outside of the classroom as well," Moore wrote. "He has a clear and stated goal as a U.S. history, government and economics teacher: Although he realizes that he cannot interest everyone enough to become involved in politics or history as a career, he is determined to inspire every student to vote and to make each of us an educated participant in society."

Hile went into the program having no idea he would be honored beyond Moore's essay and attending the event with her.

"I read it before we ate lunch and that was enough right there," he said of the honor he received.

After lunch, though, as the awards were being presented, Hile's attention was snapped to the front of the room when he heard "The bell rings ..." the distinctive opening to Moore's essay.

About that time, GHS Assistant Principal Russ Hesler nudged Hile's chair, smiled and said, "Congratulations."

To make things even better for Hile, the award was being presented by Franklin College Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Alan Hill.

Hile knows the 1981 DePauw University graduate from Hill's time in Greencastle as both a student and as a university staff member.

"Alan was exuberantly reading off the essay because he couldn't wait to give the award to someone he knew," Hile said.

He added that the honor was the beginning of a "remarkable two weeks." Later that week, Hile was recognized by Judge Denny Bridges as an outstanding teacher and got to meet with Indiana Chief Justice Brent Dickson.

On April 17, the social studies academic team Hile coaches qualified for the state finals.

"It's really great to be recognized academically," Hile said. "I've had plenty of recognition as a coach, not so much in the classroom."

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  • I had Mr. Hile as a teacher my senior year, and agree 100% with this young lady and the awards given to recognize his abilities as an educator. While the topic of the class could have been a very dry, boring recitation of what the Government is and what they do, Mr. Hile made history come alive for us every day, and his was one of the classes to which I looked forward. Now having a child who is taking a class in AP Government at his own school here in Ohio, I can appreciate the value of a teacher like Mr. Hile, who can keep the students' attention and interest by making class fun. Way to go, Mr. Hile, and congrats to Miss Moore on her honors, as well.

    ~ Kerri (Miller) Ebright

    -- Posted by KittyBelle on Thu, May 3, 2012, at 3:57 PM
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