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Scott Dille, a teacher to look up to in more ways than one

Standing at 6 feet, 7 inches tall, it’s safe to say everyone at Holyoke Elementary School looks up to Scott Dille.
    But it’s not only the stature of this physical education teacher and basketball coach that grabs the attention of students and colleagues. It’s his big heart, his sportsmanship, his acceptance and his kindness.
    And it’s because of those character qualities that Dille has been named the Heart Award winner in the 2017 Emerald Awards at Holyoke School District.
    
    Dille puts heart into teaching
    During the first weeks of school, kindergartners enter their P.E. class with hesitation, their eyes wide, their mouths open as their heads look toward the sky. But it doesn’t take long to figure out their towering P.E. teacher is a fun guy. He’s out on the court or field playing with them, getting messy with them. His smile, his laughter, his energy is infectious.
    It’s now April, and the doors to the elementary gym fly open as kindergartners through sixth-graders rush in to begin their P.E. classes. This time, their eyes light up, their mouths form a smile, and they are bursting with enthusiasm.
    “Elementary is awesome. I really like it,” said Dille, a teacher who clearly loves his job.
    Having grown up with a dad who hated his job, Dille soaked up his father’s wise advice to pursue a career that he could fall in love with.
    “Mr. Dille is definitely a teacher for all the right reasons,” said Emerald Awards nominator Nancy Miles, an elementary special education teacher. “He genuinely cares about his students, players and co-workers.”
    Nominator Laura Loutensock, the elementary technology teacher, added that Dille takes the time to know each child personally and he cares about them as individuals.
    “Both as a teacher and coach, Scott sets the example of sportsmanship and moral behavior and then expects the kids to follow his pattern,” said Loutensock.
    She also said Dille demonstrates teamwork and leadership, two skills that will benefit students long past high school graduation — on and off the court, in and out of the classroom.
    Since Dille works with a wide range of students, he has the wonderful opportunity to watch them develop skills and character traits throughout their school years, from kindergarten on up. Holyoke is small enough that he knows most of the students who walk across the graduation stage. “It’s cool to see how they’ve changed,” he said.
    
    Adaptive P.E. class a fun, safe place for kids to learn and grow
    After starting at Holyoke School District in 2008, one of Dille’s biggest — and most rewarding — challenges presented itself a few years ago. Elementary Principal Kyle Stumpf gave Dille the chance to develop and teach an adaptive P.E. class for high-needs special education students.
    Dille explained that those students have always participated in P.E., but by having their own class period four days a week, they can get away from the noise of the regular class and get some one-on-one time with Dille.
    If he was once nervous about this task that was “out of his comfort zone,” no one would guess it now. He has built an unmistakable connection with the six adaptive P.E. students currently at the elementary and JR/SR high school.
    Miles said the class is a chance for the students to move and explore in a safe environment. “It is a place where our students feel comfortable, safe and accepted for who they are. It is a place where they are encouraged to try new things and be the best they can be!” she said.
    While Dille has worked on a class curriculum, he said every child is different and the class can be molded around their specific needs.
    He works closely with the students’ teachers and physical therapists to help each child accomplish their individual goals.
    “We have seen a tremendous growth in each of our students because of this class,” said Miles.
    The high school student aide for the adaptive P.E. class, Gunnar Kroeger, affirms the amazing change he has seen in the last two years.

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