Sackets teacher recognized for inspiration in, out of class

POTSDAM — Paul J. Buell didn't just teach Mallyssa A. Ditch to hit the right notes on her saxophone in high school; he taught her to hit them in life, as well.

And when Ms. Ditch walks across the stage at Clarkson University's commencement on her birthday, Mr. Buell will be sitting behind the podium watching her do it. The Sackets Harbor Central School teacher is one of four recipients of Clarkson's annual Inspirational High School Educator awards because of a nomination by Ms. Ditch.

"I was the typical high school student. I was kind of nerdy, not really that self-confident," she said. "He saw the potential in me and helped me develop my leadership skills."

She had to become a leader when Mr. Buell made her a section leader in the band, where she played the alto saxophone.

Ms. Ditch graduated from Sackets as valedictorian and went on to become the president of her sorority at Clarkson, Phi Sigma Sigma.

The educators award is given annually to four to six people, according to Kathryn B. Johnson, vice president for university outreach and student affairs. However, Mr. Buell is this year's only recipient from the north country; his three fellow honorees come from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont. In the past five years, four north country teachers have received the award.

Mr. Buell, of Gouverneur, has been teaching music for 27 years, most of them at Sackets Harbor. He grew up in Dexter and graduated from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music.

"I had a great inspiration when I was in high school — my music teacher," Mr. Buell said. "I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without him. I'm very excited about it and I suppose a little nervous."

Any graduating senior at Clarkson can nominate a former teacher. Award recipients are then selected by a panel whose members don't know the names of the student, teacher or hometown.

Recipients are recognized the night before commencement at an awards banquet along with top students and faculty, and get a seat on the stage when students receive their diplomas. At the ceremony, they are asked to stand and be recognized again with a round of applause.

Students can nominate anyone who had an impact on them in high school — teachers, coaches or other staff members.

"It sort of has them reflecting back on their high school years," Ms. Johnson said. "The students always nominate an amazing slate of nominees. If a student is going to take the time to nominate someone, they really must have had an impact."

The number of nominations varies widely from year to year, and specifics were not available, Ms. Johnson said.

Ms. Ditch said the decision to nominate Mr. Buell was easy. "The second I read about (the award) I knew I wanted to nominate him. He wasn't just a teacher to me, he was my mentor. He really helped me become the person I am today."

Not only would Mr. Buell help students with their math homework or take the time to proofread papers, he reached out and helped Ms. Ditch when she was going through "a rough family time," she said.

The award came as a "total surprise" to Mr. Buell, who found out about it only when he received a letter from Clarkson in the mail. He received an award several years ago for excellence in teaching from the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services, but, he says, it wasn't as important to him as the recognition from Clarkson.

"I'm not much of a person for awards or anything," he said. "The thing that really caught my eye was the person (who nominated me) and the word 'inspiration.'"