Sheridan Devotes his Life to Education

Joel Sheridan (`72 B.S. Mathematics, '76 M.S., '91 Education Administration, '94 Instructional Programs Ed.D) has devoted his life to teaching, currently completing his 36 ^th year in education.

Sheridan is the assistant superintendent of Moffat County School District in Colorado. He oversees curriculum, technology, personnel departments and staff development. Sheridan's main focus at this time in his career is to "recruit and retain highly qualified (HQ) personnel according to the provisions of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB law of 2001)," commented Sheridan.

Sheridan has held several different positions in education in the past 36 years including; math teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. "I plan on retiring from full-time employment in June of 2008, but if possible, would like to stay on part-time with fewer responsibilities" said Sheridan.

At SIUE, Sheridan was influenced to pursue a career in education by Dr. Don Baden, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction. "As a beginning administrator, I walked into my first curriculum supervision course somewhat less than enthusiastically, Dr. Baden put life in the study and analysis of curriculum," noted Sheridan. Dr. Baden was highly regarded by Sheridan as a great teacher as well as practitioner.

After growing up in Hillsboro, Illinois and spending 18 years in Breese, Illinois , Sheridan ventured off for Moffat County Colorado and the to Aspen. In Aspen he spent a year as assistant superintendent and another year as interim superintendent. Sheridan then returned to Moffat County where he is currently living with his wife, Janet, owner (head) of Janet Bohart Staff Development and Consulting.

After Sheridan and his wife retire they plan on staying in Craig, Colorado. They visit their seven grandchildren about every three months in Illinois to "have the grandkid fix." The Sheridan's enjoy working out together, traveling and landscaping. Sheridan is looking forward to one of his hobbies, fishing, which he has not enjoyed in twelve years.