Chandler Public Schools

Eddie Battershell teaches mathematics at the Junior High and coaches the 6th grade boy's basketball team.  He also drives a bus route for our school.  An Oklahoma native, Coach Battershell began his teaching career 33 years ago in Chandler. 
 

Q What do you enjoy most about teaching?
A The interactions with the students and the daily challenge to inspire them to be better people as well as better students of the subjects they study.

Q How would you describe yourself as a teacher?  

A I would have to say demanding.  Doing things correctly and giving your best effort, even when you do not feel like it, is something that is important as you go through life.  I believe the saying is true that you will get out of someone what you expect from them.  

Q When did you decide to become a teacher and why?

A My sophomore year in college I took Intro to Teaching because I needed some credit hours and was told it was an easy class.  The instructor, Dr Kellog, inspired me during that semester to become a teacher. I changed my major from accounting to mathematics education.  I decided that coaching would be a great thing to do as well and the rest is history.

Q What is the biggest challenge you face as a teacher?

A To get students and parents to realize that the work we assign and require is about much more than the academic learning.  Responsibility, cooperation, respect, accountability, and other social skills can be learned through the educational process as well.  These may be more important in the big picture of a student's life than graphing a line.

Q What is your favorite memory since you began teaching?  
A That has to be coaching the boy's basketball team that won the state championship in 1997.

Coach Battershell was named the Chandler Teacher of the Year in 1993.  He and his wife Joy have three children: Amber (32), Nathan (29) and Megan (24).  He enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family.  They are also anticipating the arrival of their 6th grandchild!