Mr. Cissell has been a familiar face around the St. Dominic community for 19 years. His enthusiasm for music and band has kept him going and created respectable music programs. The mixed chorus, concert choir, concert band, introduction to music, music appreciation and music theory teacher strives to make sure his students reach their fullest potential in his classes.

Mr. Cissell may be great at what he does, but he didn’t always want to be a teacher. Originally he wanted to become a journalist and didn’t decide his vocation until college.

“I liked band, so I took band and then it kinda just happened,” said Mr. Cissell.

He then started taking music courses instead of journalism courses and next thing he knew, he was certified with a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in education.

After ten years of teaching at a public school, Mr. Cissell decided he would take some time off from teaching. During these few years, Mr. Cissell taught music privately to individuals at night and worked another job during the day. Fortunately, one of his students informed him of the job opening at St. Dominic, and what he thought would be a short term assignment has turned into 19 years and counting.

Mr. Cissell is very pleased with his occupation and the accomplishments of the St. Dominic community. He feels a sense of pride when his former students go on to pursue a career in music.

“They make you feel like you are doing something right,” said Mr. Cissell.

In the future Mr. Cissell will continue to further the success of the St. Dominic music program by making the music groups and individuals the best they can be each year.