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NORWALK, Conn. The transition from U.S. Marine to teaching in the Norwalk Public School system was a natural one for Robert Killackey. His success as a Navy JROTC teacher at Brien McMahon High School led him to be named Norwalks Teacher of the Year.
When youre a leader in the military, youre always educating others through teaching and training, Killackey said. Theres a saying: Know your troops. For any teacher to be successful, you have to know your students. You have to develop a rapport with them. And it can be challenging, because theyre just figuring out who they are.
Killackey said the biggest focus of the JROTC program is on character development, with an emphasis on fellowship, leadership and citizenship. The cadets in the program put in more than 900 hours of community service each year, and participate in programs in the school such as maintaining the Veterans Memorial Garden, organizing Veterans Day and Memorial Day presentations, and providing color guard support at many school activities. The students learn to support each other through peer mentoring and leadership.
To me, theres nothing more rewarding than helping these students become good leaders so that they can lead themselves and lead others, Killackey said. Beyond just learning in the classroom, he said theres a lot of social and civic learning that goes on. We try to help them identify what theyre interested in and passionate about, and have them pursue that.
Since Killackey joined the program in 2005, the number of students participants has increased from 60 to 130. The program has received the highest inspection rating from the U.S. Navy, and received the Unit Achievement Award twice. Cadets have received more than $600,000 in scholarships, including one Naval Academy appointment and two four-year Navy ROTC college scholarships.
Killackey said he was humbled by the award, but believes that the success of the program has been due to the collaboration of all those involved. The only way that this program can be effective is through the work of my tremendous colleagues, the teachers, the administration, the students and the parents.
Killackey will be recognized by the Norwalk Board of Education in August, and will now be considered for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Award, which will be given out in the fall.
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