 |
Vancil’s Philosophy
“I
believe students should have the right to come to school expecting
that something wonderful, novel, and exciting will happen
to them each day. I believe that each students should have
the freedom to choose with activities, books, or questions.
I believe in providing open-ended exploration opportunities.
I believe students should view their teacher as a facilitator
and not as a judge. I believe in honoring every student’s
abilities and experience. I believe in a comfortable, home-like
environment where students may take risks and ask questions.
I believe that every student is brilliant. My job is to root
out that brilliance that says that this child has a talent
and that this child can be successful.”
|
The sound of wind chimes filled the room as Erin Vancil ’96
used the cluster of pipes to silence her classroom. Last minute
instructions were to remain quiet and calm as their visitor arrived.
When Gus entered the room, the children were filled with compassion
and curiosity.
Gus, the yellow Labrador retriever puppy, was the subject of the
day’s writing assignment. While his fifth grade owner walked
around the room, Gus rested quietly in his arms oblivious to the
25 children around him. Under Vancil’s leadership, the group
discussed characteristics of Gus as they observed him.
“What sound did the puppy make when he yawned?” asked
Vancil. “Tell me about his fur. What color is it? How does
it feel?” Other questions were directed to the boy. The children
inquired, “What food does Gus eat? Where does he sleep? How
much does he weigh?”
As the children concluded their observations, Gus was escorted
outside. Vancil then said, “It’s time to go on a safari
of the mind to think about Gus.” And for the following seven
minutes, the students wrote descriptive paragraphs about their encounter
with the puppy.
Vancil’s creative teaching style earned her the title of
McPherson Teacher of the Year during the 2002-03 school year. She
was also one of eight finalists for Kansas Teacher of the Year 2004,
selected from a pool of nearly 100 nominations. Throughout the coming
year, Vancil will travel across the state with the team of finalists
advocating for education and teaching.
“My personal joy is teaching and study, stemming from the
admiration I have for my mother and my great aunt,” said Vancil.
Both were teachers. Her mother taught first grade and inspired Vancil
to be a reflective, caring teacher. Vancil’s aunt demonstrated
dedication as she shared her salary with another teacher to keep
teaching and learning alive during the Great Depression.
“Teaching meant that I could remain in a learning environment,
always learning, even right along with my students,” said
Vancil who strives to find combinations to link curriculum and lesson
plans with a triple goal of motivation, matching multiple standards,
and creativity.
One approach Vancil incorporates into her classroom is the use
of music, which often serves as a cue for students to prepare for
the upcoming subject. “Sesame Street” indicates spelling
papers are out and ready; “Inspector Gadget” signals
a math book or paper is ready. “Students respond to the music,
giving my voice a rest,” she explained.
Vancil also noted music provides a state of mind change and provides
a background for other subjects. “Science is my love with
me sporting a blue lab jacket and goggles strutting to the ‘Hero’
song from the movie ‘Spiderman,’” she said. “I
love to surprise my students with drama, objects, and voice changes.
I love the freedom and creativeness involved in facing a group of
fifth grade students, day after day, demanding the best from me
and from them.”
Editor’s note: Erin Vancil teaches fifth grade at Eisenhower
Elementary in McPherson, Kan. She received her teaching degree after
raising her two children. Vancil was also a preschool teacher and
administrator for ten years.
|
