Reitz cracks the code

Computer Education Teacher Mr. Seth Reitz has been teaching at Milton High School for nearly a quarter of a century.

Mr. Reitz teaches a wide variety of courses and topics such as Desktop Publishing, Advanced Layout and Design, Intro to Photoshop, Graphics and Multimedia, Programming, School Publications, PC NOW Introduction to Gaming and Simulation and sixth-grade technology.

“I wasn’t the type of student to do exceptional in high school,” he said. He performed much better in college when he went to Lock Haven University and Bloomsburg University, he added.

According to Mr. Reitz, he was originally a substitute for the technology classes in Milton. “The original teacher left. I was a suitable replacement,” he added.

“My classes are very hands-on. It’s similar to building trades or auto shop. I teach a skill and then they apply it to an assignment or project on the computer,” said Mr. Reitz. He added that he likes it when he teaches students skills and then sees them be proud of the art they make with it.

“It’s similar to auto shop, like if you learn some things about a small engine, the knowledge can be applied to other engines. If you know how a computer works, you can apply what you know to other electronics,” said Mr. Reitz.

Mr. Reitz said it is important to be knowledgeable about computers. He added that as far as computers go, they are everywhere now.

“We’re coming to a point where electronics are everywhere, and you can’t get away from them. So if you can’t get experience with computers, then I think that’s going to make things harder,” he said.

According to Mr. Reitz, technology is constantly changing. He said he keeps up with certain software that he teaches or uses often. The companies behind the software are constantly adding new features and functions that are meant to improve upon the application, Mr. Reitz added. He said he keeps up with the technology by reading articles, books and experimenting with the software itself

Mr. Reitz said right now his sixth graders are beginning to learn how to use the Office 365 software. He added that some of them liked making a PowerPoint for the first time.

Senior Wyatt Engleman took Mr. Reitz’s Programming and Intro to Photoshop courses. He said that Mr. Reitz’s greatest strength is how he helps people regardless of how far they are behind.

“No matter how many days you missed, he will take his class time to help you one on one,” Wyatt said. “When I first signed up for Mr. Reitz’s class my 10th grade year I had no idea what I was doing in computer programming. His class helped me find a career path I wish to follow.”

Wyatt added he’s going to use the skills Mr. Reitz taught him to major in Cyber Security at Mckendree University in Illinois.