“Everything has to do with geography.” This quote by Judy Martz could paint a picture of Dan Keller, a geography teacher here at Jacksonville High School. Keller teaches freshman students about the world and cultures around them in the yearlong required course. Keller also teaches a U.S. history through film course, which is a semester long elective.
Keller began teaching at JHS twenty-one years ago and is still going strong. Before his profession here, he attended Illinois College. He said, “I was looking for a smaller college with strong academics that would allow me to play sports.” So, Keller, like many boys his age enjoyed sports and being at the top of his game.
Keller chose teaching because both of his parents were in the education profession, and it offered a chance to do what he loves: talk about the world. He has seen many places and enjoys sharing his stories with his class to help enrich the course.
In the past, Keller has visited many places and has even been a GAPP chaperone, spending three weeks in Germany.
“The best part about teaching,” said Keller, “is having students whom I have taught or coached, that have gone on to different areas or careers, keep in contact with me.”
Keller’s geography class teaches students about the lives of foreign people in the world and teaches them that their culture is not the only one out there. Without this course, students would not have a knowledge of places and people in the world which is necessary to move on in their educational careers.
Keller’s history through film class is only open to juniors and seniors who have passed the world history class with a C or better average.
Through Keller’s guidance and teaching about the world and history, many students grasp a better understanding of the world around them. Twenty-one years is a long time, but he is just as dedicated as he was the day he began his job here. With his help, students get to take a journey around the world in a classroom setting.