Student Success
John M. Seidel
Bella Vista, AR
Graduate: Ed.S. in Educational Leadership
"Through the EDLE grad program at the University of Arkansas, I’ve learned I can help more than just myself."
John M. Seidel, a Bentonville teacher, believes education is the key to a better quality of life, both for him and his students.
“While both of my parents never attended college and struggled to hold a good job, growing up was difficult living in the lower socioeconomic status,” Seidel said. “Because of my education, I was able to break that financial cycle and can support my family of eight kids in a comfortable enough life.”
Seidel is the father of five adopted children and guardian to three foster children. Having spent the last nine years teaching in the classroom, Seidel is in the specialist's degree program in educational leadership in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. As a future school leader, he hopes to incorporate career and life skills into modern classes.
“I teach skills that students need in order to have a better quality of life,” Seidel said. “Mathematics is one skill, but deeper embedded is hidden curriculum and soft skills including problem solving, critical thinking, goal setting, and a sense of confidence.”
Seidel was one of seven people to receive the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2019-2020 academic year. He is teaching math at Lincoln Junior High School in Bentonville, but he has applied for an assistant principal position. His long-term goal is to someday transition into an educational administrative role.
“I would love to be a principal down the road,” he said. “I have some visions for public schools beyond the current curriculum. I would love to embed career objectives into a math class, just using real-world skills in the classroom.”
Seidel said he hopes to make a bigger impact on the lives of his students by serving as a school administrator.
“Education gave me perspective and the opportunity to live a better life,” Seidel said. “Through the EDLE grad program at the University of Arkansas, I’ve learned I can help more than just myself. I hope my influence can reach generations of individuals and, by opening my wings into a larger capacity, education can further help me achieve this aspiration to become a school and district advocate in education.”
