In her 16th year at Stratton Academy of the Arts, Jeralyn Goodfellow-Vargas’s role goes far beyond her title of instructional coach.
The winner of a Shining Star Award from the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation is a leader among teachers at the school in addition to helping run the school’s social media account, training staff, and showcasing the school in other ways.
She isn’t going anywhere, either.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said.
I find my work important because … I value education and early learning for all students. Elementary school is a special place where students are learning academic content, but are also navigating becoming independent humans. Teachers pour into students and share math, reading, science and social studies, but also infuse arts, drama, and the personal excitement and flair that captures students attention and interest. Having a class for a year together helps build relationships that can last a lifetime.
I became a teacher because … school was my favorite place. I loved to read, tell stories and explore. My twin sister would say I also really like telling people what to do, I think that rings true as well. I chose the elementary level because the progression of a learner from a 5-year-old to an 11-year-old is a unique experience to be a witness to. We are able to build long-term relationships with students, families and colleagues. Many of my closest friendships have formed with the people I have the privilege of working with in education.
My favorite lessons to teach are … writing lessons, specifically a new skill taught this year, drafting persuasive letters. Second-graders at Stratton drafted, edited and published letters requesting french fries in the cafeteria, longer recess times, new family pets and the latest video game systems. I love teaching this writing unit because it teaches the skill of writing as an expression of meeting a need, but it also requires students to examine things they feel are important and to express the personal reasons behind these requests. Students’ personalities and powers of persuasion really shine through. This foundational activity is also a step in the direction of individual advocacy for students, it allows them to be empowered to express their wants to others in a clear way. As we worked through the lessons, I could envision these scholars using their powers of persuasion to draft college essays, advocate for a raise at a future job and make needed changes for the betterment of their future communities.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … students return to Stratton or make the effort to reach out and communicate after they move on from our building. This year, Stratton was able to welcome back the class of 2024 senior graduates. The current students were able to cheer on their accomplishments and celebrate students who learned in the same classrooms where they now sit. The graduates were so happy to see staff they had years ago and spent time in the building where they spent their early years. We hope this becomes an annual tradition.
I keep students engaged by … doing the pre-work to investigate the lessons before delivery. Sometimes a lesson can be engaging by adding a writing prompt, a video snippet or a cross-curricular connection. Every group of students is unique and will react to different activities. It is imperative teachers get to know students to be able to adjust content to their needs.
Something else I’m passionate about is … lifelong learning. I serve on various committees and teams throughout the school. I enjoy learning new things and interacting with a variety of people. I have been grateful to attend professional learning conferences in teaching through arts and leveraging our current magnet focus of arts integration. This allows a passion for learning and travel to merge. I enjoy exploring new cities and spaces alongside colleagues and friends. This summer, I will travel with a school team to Anaheim, Calif., to learn more about implementing AVID in elementary schools. I enjoy learning about new strategies for student engagement and love to work with others to make learning more meaningful.
My favorite subject in school was … English language arts because I loved to read and write. My mom would rarely buy me books from the school book fair because they would be finished in a few days. My library card got a good work out instead.
My favorite teacher in school was … Mr. Mulder, high school science teacher at West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. He made learning very hands on with experiments, dissections and student presentations. In the dark ages, pre-Google, we were able to dive deep into the subjects of biology and anatomy and learn from others. He also was the head of a 10th-grade travel group of students and parents who traveled from Michigan to the Grand Teton Mountains and back camping along the way. We explored many National Parks and went sightseeing for two weeks. This was the experience of a lifetime as a young teen. He retired last year, and his Out West trip still continues.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … a librarian or another profession where I could be surrounded by books and those who love them.
I’m spending my summer break … attending summer camp at Camp Drake with my son, serving as a chauffeur to sports practices and work for my daughter and traveling together to visit family in Michigan. We plan a yearly trip to the family farm to coordinate with the sweet cherry season. There will also be plenty of home projects, dog walks and audiobooks before we head back to school in August.
— Anthony Zilis