Sheila Appel, Science Teacher
The Philadelphia area has always been Mrs. Appel’s home. She is a product of Philadelphia High School for Girls, Temple University, and Arcadia University, where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She is certified in Biology, General Science, and as a Secondary Principal.
Entering the teaching profession after a career as a clinical and research medical technologist, she found teaching extremely rewarding. Her students were “my kids” and she wanted for them what she wished for her own children. In retirement she has contact with former pupils and loves to share in their successes.
During her 35 years in the education field, through various activities, she has been successful in increasing motivation and student achievement while assisting in the development of informed citizens who will become life-long learners.
To enhance the required curricula student learning has always been bridged to their world. Multidisciplinary projects including science fairs, invention conventions, egg drop competitions, city and walk-through aquarium simulations have been some of the venues employed for across school and county activities. These types of endeavors assisted in differentiating learning while accessing many learning styles, encouraging cooperative learning and other flexible groupings, and building student self esteem. Parent involvement was also fostered and families were invited to share in their child’s successes at exhibitions, Family Fun Nights, awards assemblies, and television and museum presentations. She is very proud of her students’ accomplishments.
These types of endeavors assisted in differentiating learning while accessing many learning styles, encouraging cooperative learning and other flexible groupings, and building student self esteem. Parent involvement was also fostered and families were invited to share in their child’s successes at exhibitions, Family Fun Nights, awards assemblies, and television and museum presentations. She is very proud of her students’ accomplishments.
Throughout her tenure in Philadelphia, as a School Growth Teacher and a New Teacher Coach, she was charged with supporting, training, and retaining teachers. Those challenges assisted her acquiring a solid base of content and pedagogical knowledge while facilitating student and teacher learning.
Using the School District of Philadelphia’s Core curriculum with its data-driven instruction, she also acquired the ability to differentiate instruction to student needs, clear up misconceptions, and fill the holes in their learning. The experiences of many grades and research-based initiatives have helped her to develop a global understanding of the challenges that exist at all K-12 levels re-cognitive development, content, appropriate pedagogy, as well as community and cultural differences which teachers must combat. Always holding herself accountable as a change agent, being part of the MileStone team will continue Mrs. Appel’s endeavors.
In recent years she taught at a private religious day school, Caskey Torah Academy, as a science/STEM teacher. Her students recently participated in the Montgomery County Science Research Competition and the Lexus Eco-Challenge.
Mrs. Appel loves to travel, paint, draw, make pottery, cook, and see live theater. She and her husband have a son and daughter.
She wishes your children much success in their endeavors and looks forward to a productive, fulfilling, and FUN year.
Contact Sheila Appel By Phone (215) 663-1160 or Email.