We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Melissa Walker, a math teacher at Sarah Scott Middle School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
I have had to adjust how I teach. Learning and using technology has proven to be a challenge and I continue to struggle and learn things all of the time. COVID has proven a struggle for the kids and adults to connect with each other. We miss that human connection but hopefully we will begin to understand the importance of each other as citizens of the earth.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I don’t think that most people outside of education understand the commitment of educators to their students. I remember someone asked me when I might have more kids and I said I already have over 100 that I love and care for on a regular basis. The other thing that is tough for educators is that we often don’t see the difference we make in our student’s lives. I had a young man come up to me and hug me a few years ago to tell me thank you. He said you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
Many people know that I retired from teaching once. But I never really retired, I was a caregiver for my family and my husband. I don’t regret the time that I was not teaching as I was caring for my family and helping them through to the end of their time here on this earth. But shortly after my husband passed away I was notified that I would be placed on a COBRA health plan that was very expensive so I started to apply for teaching positions when Mr John Newport called and asked me if I would be interested in working at Sarah Scott with the math teachers as a support for struggling students, I jumped at the opportunity. When I walked into Sarah Scott most of the staff did not know about my family circumstances. But I felt like I was home. I had worked with most of the math faculty before and it truly was like coming home.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Shannon Loughmiller, a Family/Consumer Sciences teacher at Terre Haute North High School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Virtual school is HARD! It’s hard for our students, it’s hard for the teachers, it’s hard for the support systems or lack of at home. I think that our school is navigating uncharted territory the best that they can and I am grateful for that and the support we have gotten this year. I think for myself and the other teachers I spend time with, we have all learned to have more grace this year. Students are struggling with more this year than any other year I have taught and the teachers and staff are struggling too! Corona has not been kind to any of us, it has taken the human connection from our lives and made virtual the normal. In Human Services we talk about the human connection and being kind humans frequently. It has also messed up some of the opportunities that I could have given my students this year, so that was a bummer! They have made the best of this year though and pushed through, I am proud of each of my students!

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
Teachers have not had more time off this year, if anything we have worked harder. We have created new virtual classrooms, we have learned how to motivate (or at least try) our students virtually and in a classroom that looks and feels different. In the Human Services we talk about ALOT of life, seeing faces is important as you talk about the tough stuff, masks have made class much more disconnected. Students don’t want to talk as much as they used to, they either feel silenced or protected by their masks, whatever it is, they are much quieter when not pushed to speak up. It has been much harder to have conversations and get to know masked kids, however, like I said, they have pushed on and so have we as teachers, so proud of my co-workers and all the hard work and creativity we have had this year!

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
Teaching was a new path for me. I came from working nights and weekends in harsh environments at thankless jobs where I didn’t matter to the clients that I worked with for the most part, they didn’t understand or appreciate those that cared for them. I am grateful to be in a positive work environment with people who care about the people they are serving and want them to succeed! I am grateful for a job I enjoy coming to each and every day.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Kara Wilkinson, an English teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Annie Bacon, an English teacher at Otter Creek Middle School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
COVID changed so many things.  I had to adjust quickly to new technology. I spent a lot of time learning how to navigate Canvas.  Teaching remotely, I had to become more creative in how I delivered my lessons.  I created a teacher YouTube page to help facilitate remote learning.  Some activities I usually do had to be planned out differently due to social distancing. Another big change has been not being able to see my students’ smiles due to them wearing masks.  You don’t realize how much you rely upon the smiles or laughter of your students to gauge how they feel or how a lesson is going. While masks are important, I have had to find other ways to gauge if kids are happy or engaged.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I don’t think people understand how much we work behind the scenes. Teaching is not a job I just leave at 3:15. Sometimes I bring the struggles of my students home with me.  I worry about my students.  I might be worrying if a kid had dinner that night or maybe I am worrying if a student grasped what I taught that day. I don’t think people realize how much goes into what we do or how much we spend out of our own pockets for the greater good of our kids. To many of us, teaching is not just a “job.” It is our passion.  We love what we do and think of our students like they are our own.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I absolutely love working at Otter Creek. I really feel as if I work for the best principal and assistant principal.   Principal Gore and Assistant Principal Thoma are amazing leaders. Our entire staff is one big support system for our students and for each other. It is in this support system that a happy work environment exists. I absolutely love my colleagues and feel as if we all build each other up. We all have the same goal, which is to serve our community by inspiring and teaching generations of our youth. It is a true joy to go to work every single day not only loving what you do but  also loving whom you work with. I really believe our students see and feel that from us. A happy environment is created all around, which leads to a positive learning environment for our students.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Tammy Skinner, a Reading Recovery/Title I teacher at Farrington Grove Elementary School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
I had a new experience at the beginning of this school year that required me to learn quite a bit of technology skills. I was a hybrid first grade teacher for a few weeks. That was a challenge in many ways. I sure enjoyed seeing the kiddos on our Google Meets everyday for math and reading, but I definitely prefer face to face. The masks make it challenging for all teachers to hear what the students say and vice versa, but we make it work!

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I have a dual job. Two great jobs in one. Part of my day, I am a Reading Recovery teacher. I work one on one with my Reading Recovery students every day. Daily lessons are individualized and planned for each student based on what they already know. The other part of my day, I am a Title One teacher. We are a schoolwide Title One school and this allows me as well as our three other Reading Recovery/Title One Teachers the opportunity to work with any student in our school. We go into the classrooms to work with students or pull students out in small groups to work with them. This job allows us to work with many students and teachers.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I have lived and or worked in Vigo County all my life. I can say that I had several great teachers throughout my years as a student in the VCSC, and I have worked with a great deal of wonderful staff members that have become like family to me over my many years of teaching. The Farrington Grove staff is a very caring and thoughtful school family. I have always felt blessed to be a part of VCSC.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Ms. Samantha Henry, a chemistry teacher at Terre Haute South High School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
The biggest change in my job due to COVID is technology. I spend a large portion of my planning time converting things that were paper/pencil into a digital format and making videos that cover my courses. I don’t think that this is a bad thing though. My students can access their chemistry materials from anywhere, and the video lectures that I have made this year can be accessed repeatedly to help students who are struggling for years to come. One negative change that COVID has brought is the difficulty of getting to know my students this year. Most years by this time I know them so well and we have a ton of inside jokes and memories that have been made in AP Chemistry, but this year it has been so hard. I’ve missed the chaos and chatter of a full classroom.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
My job is so rewarding, but some days (especially this year) can be so hard. I think that sometimes people forget that students aren’t just students. They have so many other things that they have to worry about, and sometimes school has to take a back burner. I struggle with this often. I want to teach my students chemistry, but I also try to be empathetic to the fact that they are nearly adults with their own fears, worries, stresses, and responsibilities. I spend a lot of time outside of school worrying about my students and all of the things that they have on their plate. This balancing act is so hard as a high school teacher. I’m trying to teach them content, but also how to be organized, successful adults.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
The people! VCSC is full of amazing people that all want to see each other succeed. I have so many friends and mentors in the THS staff. They are great listeners when I need advice or just need to vent. Also, the awesome adults in the VCSC are working hard to make amazing students. My students are kind, hardworking, and they know so many things! That is all due to the great teachers they have had in the VCSC. I consider myself so lucky to get to teach them!

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Lindsay Wilhoyte, an English teacher at Booker T Washington High School and Vigo Virtual Success Academy.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Vigo Virtual Success Academy’s enrollment grew dramatically due to COVID. We had a continuous schedule of orientations along with conferences with teachers and families to balance throughout the week. The number of students that I am virtually checking in with every week also changed as our enrollment increased.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
When looking at my position at Booker T. Washington, people do not understand the challenges that our students in alternative education face. Our students have overcome so much in their young lives and we hope that the skills we are teaching at Booker T. Washington will help them in their future. When looking at my position at Vigo Virtual Success Academy, people do not realize how many students we service with such a small staff.  Our small staff is taking care of an entire school with students in grades K-12, so we all wear many hats.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love that VCSC is such a tight knit community. I taught at Terre Haute North for seven years before coming to Booker T. Washington and Vigo Virtual Success Academy and many of my good friends were made while working there. It has also been a pleasure to work side by side with staff members from other schools in the corporation this school year through Vigo Virtual Success Academy. Everyone from administrators, counselors, teachers and support staff all have had the same mission of wanting students to be successful.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Lacey Ball, a special education teacher at West Vigo High School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
COVID 19 has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone. I have always been a paper/pencil person. This has allowed me to get more creative with my teaching ideas and materials. I have learned so much about technology and grown tremendously in my understanding of such materials.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
Something people do not understand about my job is that just because the school day is over, that does not mean your “teacher brain” shuts off. I’m sure a lot of my fellow teachers can agree they have caught themselves waking up in the middle of the night with a wonderful idea. You are constantly reflecting, analyzing, and changing your lessons/techniques for your classroom so that they will better assist the students in your classroom and school.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I recently returned to VCSC/West Vigo this school year after being gone for a year. I began my teaching career as a Viking and when I had to leave I was so upset. Coming into my teaching position, I was so nervous. Not being from this tight knit community was intimidating. I quickly realized that there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Everyone at West is so welcoming and helpful. When I received the opportunity to return I could not have been more excited. I can not say enough positive things about everyone I have the pleasure to work with at West and it feels pretty amazing to be a Viking again and be back with the VCSC.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mr. Grant Condon, a math teacher at West Vigo Middle School.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Being a first year teacher, I don’t know much different other than the COVID teaching style. I was fully expecting to start my teaching career with 5 days a week and no masks, but instead I got the compete opposite. I have had to learn how to create lessons that can be used online and also in the classroom.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
One thing that people don’t understand about my job is that it’s more than just teaching them about a subject. It is about making connections with students. As a math teacher, most students come into the year thinking that they are bad at math. Creating connections can help students feel more comfortable in the classroom. My job is to help them see that each student is capable of learning and getting better. Being a teacher requires learning about your students so that you can create more interesting lessons to keep students engaged.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love my school because of the close community feel that I get each day. All of the administrators, teachers, and students at West Vigo have pride in the community that they live in. It creates a sense of belonging for me and for everyone that walks in the building.

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

We’re highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Mrs. Cassie Bahrt, a 5th grade teacher at Sugar Creek Consolidated Elementary School.