WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 7, 2019 — Wheeling native Joey Seabright will earn a teaching degree in Health and Physical Education this spring from the College of Education and Human Performance at West Liberty University. His career path however wasn’t always straight and clear.
“Seabright’s story is a good example of how students can find success at a university that works with students in a personal manner, even when they change directions,” said Dr. Catherine Monteroso who leads the college as its interim dean.
Seabright was an alumnus when he discovered he wanted to become a teacher.
“I already had a business degree that I earned in 2012 at West Liberty and after working in golf management for a while, I began to feel that what I really wanted was to become a teacher,” he said.
This semester he’s completing his student teaching at Woodsdale Elementary School, under the supervision of teacher Mike Cook.
Seabright can’t wait to get into the classroom and begin his teaching career.
“I’ve always been active in sports and I love to help students. I discovered this when I had a chance to teach on a temporary basis at a local private school that needed a temporary sub,” he explained.
Seabright’s mother, Patty Seabright, is a teacher at the private school, St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling. She was aware that the health and physical education teacher there was taking a short leave for a personal matter and she suggested that her son apply.
Joey Seabright was very good at sports and was the player of the year for golf while attending WLU his first time around as a business major. He was a member of Coach Mike Ricci’s golf team at that time.
He then went on to win Hilltopper Male Athlete of the year in 2012 when the Hilltoppers played in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).
“I’ve always been active in sports. I love to help all the students get a smile on their face from being active. When they get to move around and spend time on physical education, they are happier and better able to learn,” he said.
“WLU Professor Kathleen Wack was influential in my coming back to college to become a teacher. She helped me with my schedule. Everyone in the College of Education has been helpful and available to assist me as needed,” he said.
“The WLU College of Ed creates a lot of field days too, so student-teachers get a lot of work with students and really learn how to teach. We are fully prepared and ready with lesson plans and know what to expect.”
One thing for sure, Seabright is happy to be teaching students in grades K – 5 and feels confident that he’s in the right career now.
“I’m working and learning how to meet the needs of all students. When I plan my lessons, I have three overall learning needs I look at, meeting the psycho-motor learning, cognitive learning, and affective learning standards of education. I have to hit on a standard of all three of these for my students,” he explained.
“Joey represents the best of the College of Education and Human Performance. He is passionate, positive, and cares deeply about students. His enthusiasm for health and physical education makes him an excellent role model for children,” said Wack.
The College of Education and Human Performance traces its roots to the beginnings of West Liberty University in 1837 when it was an academy and then a highly successful teachers college. It has grown to include programs in athletic training, exercise physiology and community education, along with the traditional majors in teacher education.