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A newsmaker you should know: Parkway West exec stays busy as paramedic, firefighter too
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The utterance "I keep busy" is an understatement when it comes to the day-to-day activities of Brock Snedeker, a Parkway West Career & Technology Center administrator.
While Mr. Snedeker wears many hats, including that of a volunteer firefighter, he makes sure he takes the time to enjoy his children Collin, 8, and Abbey, 5. He loves to spend time with them and concludes they are what truly keep him busy.
A paramedic and firefighter for the past 16 years, Mr. Snedeker has traveled an interesting road to his current role of supervisor of career and technical education. He was promoted to the position, which is essentially that of an assistant principal, after teaching the North Fayette center's public safety technology course for the past six years.
The public safety and technology program enrollment more than doubled to 52 students during his tenure, said Darby Copeland, assistant director at Parkway. He describes Mr. Snedeker as a very involved educator who goes above and beyond to make sure his students succeed.
"He has a lot to offer both as a person and as an educator. He has a reputation for being an empathetic student-centered educator," said Mr. Copeland.
Prior to becoming a teacher at Parkway, Mr. Snedeker worked at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
A 1993 graduate of Martins Ferry High School, he received paramedic and firefighter certifications and began working part time in that field.
His father, Bert Snedeker, introduced him to steel work and helped to get him the job there. Concerned with the stability of his mill job, the younger Mr. Snedeker decided to keep his options open and began teaching part time at Belmont Technical College in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
He continues to teach firefighting and emergency medical technician public safety courses there as an associate adjunct professor.
Mr. Snedeker worked at Wheeling-Pittsburgh for five years, but looked for other opportunities.
"They suck you in with the money," he said. "I did get paid very well."
During his first years at Belmont, he decided to explore his options in the teaching profession. He was curious as to how it would be to transition from post-secondary to high school teacher and welcomed the opportunity to begin teaching at Parkway West.
In 2009, Mr. Snedeker earned a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude.
In 2011, he earned a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from California University of Pennsylvania and has numerous certifications from the Department of Education, including vocational II, comprehensive vocational supervisor, vocational administrative director and K-12 principal.
In addition to his work at Parkway West and Belmont, Mr. Snedeker is a part-time paramedic in Washington County and a volunteer firefighter with the Martins Ferry Fire Department.
First Published November 10, 2011 4:58 am
