2019-2020 Teacher of the Year & Scholarship Awardees
Vanita Fleming - teaches English
How did you get to Reynolds?
My husband had a corporate move to Winston Salem NC. interviewed with the principal (Mr. Elrod) and his assistant principal (Mrs. Diamond), and was given the opportunity of a lifetime to become part of the RJR family.
How did what you had heard about RJR match with what you actually found at RJR?
What I heard about RJR and what I actually found were essentially very similar. I was given a thoughtful honest critique of the oldest and best high school in the state. I was told the faculty/staff is carrying and awesome, and the administrative staff is superior! They were correct! Most of the people who told me about RJR had not attended the school nor worked here, but they were spot on in their positive descriptions of “Society Hill,” the warmth of the faculty/staff, and diversity of the students.
What is an average day at school like for you?
I arrive around 7:20 am. I log into my electronics (laptop, promethean board, Alexa smart speaker). I always review my lesson plans as a guide and the county pacing guide for English, as it keeps me on track to make sure I am leading my students the best I can. I place the daily schedule on the screen so my students are aware of the pacing, check my emails, return emails, make parent calls, read faculty communications, and check my inbox in the main office. I make a few copies if needed. I check the white-board in my classroom to make sure all E.Q.'s
(Essential Questions) and standards are up to date and then new quote is written for my students, as inspiration. I meet daily with novice teachers I mentor and my friends. I place copies of handouts on the student tables, and open the computer cart. I stand in the hallway beside my door and wait on my students to come in and take full advantage of their learning opportunities. I teach from 8:55 to 2:00 PM daily I have the fourth period as planning From 2:05 to 4:00 or so I have Tardy Hall Sweep for about 10 minutes. I will have students stop by for assistance, to have me fill out forms, write letters of recommendation for them, or parent/teacher conferences, etc., etc. I make phone calls to parents (positive as well as others) during this time. and I eat my lunch. I check on my mentees and their classes, visit student services to check on students, and sometimes I visit and check on colleagues. I update my white-board for the next day, adjust my plans if needed. I prepare handouts for the next morning and grade as much as I can before I leave each day. I clean and sanitize tables and chairs each day (long before the COVID-19 pandemic - just ask the people do I share the hall with, and I make sure my room is tidy for the next day.
What are the courses you instruct at RJR, and please give a brief description of each course?
Currently I am teaching 10th grade English 2, standard and honors. It is a writing course and most students either love it or dread it. There is no in between. Students are required to read several classics to broaden their repertoire of novels and dramas over the course of their high school experience, as well as respond to prompts, write essays and a research paper. This is an EOC (End of Course) class which is tested by NC DPI (North Carolina Department of Instruction). It will reflect our school report card. I have been able to help my students grow for many years. Most recently with the states EVAAS (Education Value Added Assessment System). EVAAS provides North Carolina's educators with tools to improve student learning and to reflect and improve on their own effectiveness.
I've been able to show growth each semester for the past five years. I have maintained the growth area of green and mostly blue. Green shows students have tested about where they should at grade level, give or take. Blue means student scores represented improvements beyond predicted expectations; they exceeded the growth expected. This is some of the information used to grade each school in North Carolina. Schools are graded in the following areas: English 2, Math 1, Math 2, and Biology. This helps RJR.
How would you size up the RJR student body?
The students at RJR are some of the most resilient, forward-thinking, intelligent, creative, community-minded people I've ever been around. The students are far more mature than their ages. I do not think teens are given enough credit for all they do and are and are as people.
What is your family life like?
I have two daughters who attended RJR. The oldest, Ashton, is in the Class of 2012. She played varsity basketball at RJR, went on to Wofford College and played basketball there. She is now an EC teacher of Language Arts and Math at Northwest Middle School In the city. My youngest daughter, Hunter, is in the Class of 2014. She too played varsity basketball at RJR, went on to High Point University, and played basketball there also. She is currently in a PA Program (High Point University Department of Physician Studies). My husband, Ken, is currently retired. We have one German-short-haired puppy Zane, who is wild as ever!!
Why did you go into teaching as a career?
While in college I had a few experiences working summer camps with teenagers; the pull was always there to help young people. I love helping students find their voice. My story of learning is one narrated and reinforced by my parents. Many of my students do not have this, therefore, I try to fill the void and provide the opportunity. In my home I was taught an unasked question is a lost opportunity for learning. We do not get a second chance to make a first impression, so take the chance when it's presented. That lost opportunity may never be realized. Some students for various reasons are afraid to speak up and voice their opinions. I give them this forum.
What are your goals and aspirations?
My goals and aspirations are to stay fresh and current in the classroom. I am a lifelong learner. By using reflection, it allows me to see my progress in my areas of need. When I leave RJR I hope to leave it a little better than I found it. This will be difficult, as there is not much room for improvement. I hope I have done enough, been enough for my students (past and present) and those who I've worked with in the past 25 years! Over the course of my entire career of 31 years in the classroom, I have tried to model the behavior I expect from my students and other professionals I have had the honor to serve with.
Tatum Ward
What did you like (and dislike) academically about RJR?
At my times at Reynolds I really enjoyed the arts program and having the opportunity to explore my love for photography. Not having a home field for sports was a big disadvantage for me as I participated in 3 sports during my four years.
What “after hours” school activities did you participate in?
I played field hockey all four years, along with swim teams and Lacrosse freshman and sophomore years. I was a member SGSC and Latin Club president.
What did you like (and or dislike) “socially” about RJR?
I didn't like that a lot of kids were in certain friend groups and excluded others from being friends with them. I wish people were more open and welcoming, but it is high school. One thing I noticed as an underclassman playing a sport, is that the upperclassmen acknowledged the underclassmen in the halls throughout class changes and there was always a good feeling when you are underclassmen.
Who was (or were) your favorite teacher(s) and/or coach(es), and why?
My favorite coach was Coach Rebecca for field hockey. From the beginning of my sophomore year she put everything she had into her team to help us succeed and saw the best in every player. Mrs. Kirkland (my English teacher) was one of my favorite teachers, as she taught me freshman yea… but her love for her students has stayed constant through all four years at Reynolds.
What did an average day at RJR entail?
An average day at Reynolds could vary depending on the day. You typically have four classes, but if you go to Career Center you get a little travel break to be with your friends.
What will you best remember about going to Reynolds?
I think I'll best remember the soccer games at Reynoldsd because we had a great soccer team all four years and the energy at the games as always so fun.
What was your favorite class you took (and why), and what was the hardest class you took?
My favorite class I took was photography, because it taught me a lot of skills that I still use today as I'm trying to grow my photography business. My hardest class was AP US History.
What would you change at RJR (if you could)?
If I could change anything it would be so all athletes had a practice field on campus that is not 15 minutes away. So many schools have this advantage that Reynolds does not and it’s only holding our sports program back.
Where you going next to your school wise and what will you be majoring in (if you know)? I
'll be attending Appalachian State University and majoring in Elementary Education.
Is there anything else you want to tell the RJ alumni about the four years you spent at Reynolds High School?
I want to thank the RJR Alumni for awarding me this scholarship.
Jack Bellman
What did you like (and dislike) academically about RJR?
Many of the teachers put a lot of heart into their work and care about their students. The math department could use some improvement.
What “after hours” school activities did you participate in?
I was on the Soccer team for two years, Indoor Track for three years, and Lacrosse for four years. I attended some Eco Club meetings, and co-founded and presided over the RGR Chess Club.
What did you like and (or dislike) “socially” about RJR?
Everyone seems to have their people. Reynolds is so diverse that you can find people like you even if you didn't think there were other people like you.
Who was (or were) your favorite teachers and/or coaches, and why?
Mr. Allen and Mr. Biles were really fun to work with at RJR. I looked forward to their classes each day.
What did an average day at RJR entail?
Waking up early to get ready for class, then heading to class and attending my first two classes. I would have lunch with friends at the picnic tables, and go to my last two classes to complete the school day. I would then drive 10 to 15 minutes to lacrosse practice to finish out the evening.
What will you best remember about going to Reynolds?
Beating tabor and the last lacrosse game of the season and my time on the team,
What was your favorite class you took (and why), and what was the hardest class you took?
My favorite class was Mr. Biles’ Drafting 2 class. I had a lot of fun using CAD and getting experience in engineering systems. The hardest class was Pre-Calculus because we did not have a teacher for half the year.
What would you change at RJR if you could?
I would ask the staff to put some more effort into the communication that goes home to parents and students. There were many clubs and teams that I would have participated in if I had known details about them. I'd also add a stadium and more social events than just prom.
Where are you going next year (school-wise), and what you majoring in (if you know)?
NC State College of Engineering
Is there anything else you want to tell the alumni about four years you spent at Reynolds High School?
I had lots of fun during my time “Amid the Pines,” especially on the lacrosse team. Thank you all for the support and opportunities the alumni have provided for students during my time at Reynolds.