Joe Rineer

Q: What is your favorite thing about working at Delaware Tech?

"I love the people I work with and the atmosphere they create. We are able to collaborate effectively and are, in fact, encouraged to network with people in our department, throughout the college and even outside of the college. We have begun implementing an undergraduate research program in the biological sciences program that excites both the students and the faculty and has truly made coming to work even more fun than it already was. To have the freedom and resources to implement this style of teaching is a dream come true. In addition to the teaching aspects, the camaraderie between the faculty is incredible. Everyone is supportive and it feels as if you are working with old friends instead of colleagues... even if some of them are Cowboys fans. But then again, not everyone is perfect.

"The students are amazing and they always surprise me by rising to higher levels of expectation in the classroom and programs. For example, our students collaborate during our classes and each group is responsible for various parts of the lab or pieces of equipment in the lab. The students have done such an amazing job that we have to reevaluate and increase our expectations each time. Of course, we have to try and act nonchalant when they surpass our expectations every time..."

Q: Why was it important for you to work at Delaware Tech?

"As a Delaware native, I am well aware of the roots of Delaware Tech and its importance to the state. I am honored to have the privilege to work at Delaware Tech and, thereby, help the state where I was born and raised."

Q: Describe your first day at Delaware Tech. What was that experience like?

"My first day at Delaware Tech was interesting enough to earn myself a nickname from my colleagues. We were in the process of moving from North Carolina to Delaware and a lot of my possessions, including the majority of my clothes, were in boxes in storage. Prior to coming to the first day, I realized we did not have students for the first week- whew, some easy professional development days to get myself together. At the high schools, professional development days do not require specific attire, so I did not plan to wear anything above my typical summer attire – shorts, a T-shirt, and flip flops – so I left all of my usual teaching attire in the boxes that were placed into the storage unit. After my arrival to Delaware Tech, I realized I was not in Kansas anymore; apparently, we are required to wear our usual teaching attire – even on professional development days! We had a meeting to introduce the new faculty, where I was able to model my latest fashion faux pox. No one seemed to notice that my mentor assigned to me during the [New Faculty Development] program was also wearing shorts and T-shirt on the same day though. By Friday, my colleagues had decided to provide me with a nickname and T-shirt that they would never let me forget, Casual Friday Joe."

Q: What changes have you seen in yourself since you started working here?

"During my years teaching high school, the objective was to always to achieve the annual yearly progress goals, or AYP. The system is more focused on the achievement standards and the success of the schools – thanks to big stakes testing programs that determine the money each school receives. Here, the focus is clearly shifted to the students. Yes, there are still assessments and program goals, but the atmosphere is different. I have found that I am able to focus more on the student's achievements and progress rather than the school's."

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Delaware Tech thus far?

"I believe my favorite memory was from my second graduation night. It was the first time that we were lined up for the students to walk down to the graduation tent and some of my former students were graduating. It was an honor to watch the students walk toward their graduation ceremony with smiles on their faces."

Q: What's something people may not know about you?

"My friends and I toured the East Coast with the band Phish one summer and went to their three-day concert during New Year's Eve of 1999-2000 in the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in Florida. Wish someone would have told me those were the good ole days then..."