After 20 years of work at Starr’s Mill, world history and AP psychology teacher Sean Hickey is the first Starr’s Mill alumnus to be named Teacher of the Year.
“It is honestly a surreal experience,” Hickey said, “When you’re nominated, you’re with other very deserving candidates, people I work with and greatly respect.”
Every year, the teaching staff of Starr’s Mill select one fellow colleague that they think best fit the county criteria for the award. Once all the votes are in, the list is gone through and whoever has the most votes is chosen for that year’s award.
Relevance, engagement, and empathy are important to Hickey in his classroom. Teaching the curriculum in an applicable way for the students, and recognizing the fact that his students are also human beings are some of Hickey’s main priorities when it comes to how he teaches.
“I like how he is super-professional in the way he talks,” sophomore Kimmy Greene said.
Hickey has taken the broadcasting announcements club under his wing, and has been the multicultural club sponsor for many years helping with global engagement, outreach, and fellowship. Outside of school, Hickey enjoys spending his time gardening, walking, and bird watching.
Since sixth grade, he has always wanted to be a teacher. Being interested in both storytelling and helping others, teaching was the job that merged the two. Hickey has spent all his 20 years of teaching at Starr’s Mill.
Hickey graduated in 2000 as part of the inaugural class at Starr’s Mill.
“He is always super excited to be here,” junior Zoe Karen said. “[He] is willing to learn with you and have you teach him new things.”
After being named Starr’s Mill Teacher of the Year, Hickey will now move onto submitting his application for Fayette County Teacher of the Year.