2022-2023 Teacher of the Year & Scholarship Awardees
Phillip V. Boyd, Jr. - teaches Foods and Nutrition l and Foods and Nutrition ll Honors
How did you end up at Reynolds High School?
I was working at Fayetteville State University and wanted to change my career path after writing my thesis. I interviewed with the principal (Dr. Alexander) and the assistant principal (Mr. Perrier) and was awarded the opportunity to join the Reynolds family.
How did what you had heard about RJR match what you actually found at RJR?
What I heard about Reynolds and what I experienced we're about the same. Some of my friends are Reynolds graduates, and they informed me that the school was diverse and the teachers were very smart and loved being at Reynolds. They were correct. I agree that the school is diverse and the faculty and staff that I meet are smart, friendly, and love to be at Reynolds.
What was an average day at school like for you during the pandemic?
During the pandemic I just hoped for the best. Teaching Foods and Nutrition 1 and 2 online was difficult at first, but I partnered with the neighboring school’s Food’s teacher and we made instructional food tutorials for our students to watch. Doing such made us more relatable and it provided an opportunity for the students to see, hear, and experience our teaching styles.
What was an average day at school like for you this year?
I usually arrive at Reynolds sometime between 7:30 and 7:45. Once I arrive I'll start the coffee maker for the coffee drinkers (Mrs. Sartin, Ms. Burts and Mr. Walker). I then familiarize myself with the lessons I am teaching for the day. Afterwards I check in with Mrs. Fleming and Mrs. Conrad around 8:00 AM to debrief. I usually head back to my room around 8:15 and open my door to the students to eat breakfast or come to the class to chat. Students love to come by my room and hang out with the their friends before the day starts. Once the school day starts I teach Foods and Nutrition 1 for the 1st and 2nd periods and Foods and Nutrition 2 Honors for the third period .Fourth period Is my planning. During my planning I make copies and say “hey” to the hard working guidance counselors and Ms. Whitehead. I stop in the main office to check my box and speak to all the front office staff, and Mr. Freeman if his door is open. After school I'm usually at a sporting event. I serve as the school's first responder, so it is a requirement for me to be present at athletic events along with or without the athletic trainer (depending on the sports season).
What are the courses you instructed RJR (and please give a brief description of each course)?
I teach Foods and Nutrition 1 and Foods and Nutrition 2 Honors. Foods 1 examines the nutritional needs of the individuals. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of diet to health, kitchen and meal management, food preparation, sustainability for a global society, and time and resource management. Skills in science, reading, and mathematics literacy are reinforced in this course. You will learn the basics of the culinary world, including sanitation and safety, following recipes, key culinary terms and procedures, how nutrients work, proper table manners and etiquette, and how to prepare nutritious satisfying meals inspired by flavors from around the globe. Foods 2 Honors is designed to focus on principles of food preparation, sports nutrition, consumerism, and career options in the food industry. The study is an application of nutrition, sanitation, food sciences, and technology in this course provides students with labor based experiences that will strengthen their comprehension of concepts and standards outlined in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM education. FCCLA will be an integral part of this course in obtaining a ServSafe credential.
During the pandemic how did having to teach both students attending class as well as those attending virtually affect how you taught?
The pandemic did not affect how I was teaching but it would did affect the student experience.
How would you size up the RJR student body?
The students at Reynolds or some of the smartest, most talented, most forward thinking students I've ever met.
What is your family life like?
My grandparents Jimmy and Sylvia Boyd had six children: Phillip, Sr., Shantele, Aaron Sr., Kristy, Melissa and David Sr. My dad, Phillip Boyd, Sr. is a native of Winston-Salem and has been a professional Barber for over 30 years. My mom, Priscilla Boyd, is from Richmond, VA and has worked for the City of Winston-Salem for over 20 years. period I am the oldest of three. I have two sisters: Aquilla, Christina. I also have over thirty first cousins and most of them are currently enrolled or will be enrolled at a school within Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Why did you go into teaching as a career?
I always knew I wanted to be a Chef or entrepreneur, but I did not know you must have professional training. I attended North Carolina Central University to study Hospitality and Tourism….that did not work out as planned, so I switched over to Family and Consumer Sciences because it felt more personal and gave me purpose. While attending graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, I studied Higher Education and Student Affairs. Through this I discovered that black males were not wanted in higher education because they were seen as a threat; but black males were needed in secondary education. I switched career paths and stumbled upon a teaching position in Foods and Nutrition. I fulfilled my goal of being present in secondary education and I received an opportunity to do what I loved, and that is to cook.
What are your goals and aspirations?
My goals and aspirations are to continue to be present and knowledgeable about my content area. Knowledge is power and no one can take that from you. My hope is when students at Reynolds take my course they leave with an experience that can be duplicated by anyone else. I want students to see someone that looks like them, and if that is me being present every day I've succeeded in my goal.
Is there anything you would like to tell the RDR Alumni?
Thank you for this opportunity to tell my story, and thank you for everything you do.
Lucy Neelon
How would you describe your senior year at RJR compared to the years spent during the pandemic (and feel free to express your honest thoughts and opinions)?
My senior year RJR was different than years spent during the pandemic through the increased amount of school events that took place this year. Mr. Freeman started the tradition of having a higher amount of school sponsored events, such as homecoming, dance, pep rallies, fall and spring festivals, and more. All these events increase school spirit and student participation across the board.
How much do you think virtual instruction affected the education received at RJR during the pandemic? (You can include such things as “do you think you learned as much as you would have otherwise learned had you been going to class”). Feel free to express your honest thoughts and opinions. I
believe that virtual instruction during the pandemic made my ability to stay focused and attentive to my classes at RJR more challenging than having been in person to learn. I believe that the teachers did their best to deliver the same content in the same instructive manner. However, it was just difficult to absorb information, have one-on-one conversations with teachers, and ask relevant questions efficiently via zoom.
What classes were affected most by having to be taught virtually (and why)?
Dance classes in particular were most affected by having to be taught virtually. It was hard for teachers to teach new choreography and dance styles via zoom.
What do you like academically about RJR?
Academically, RJR challenges students to continue to push themselves in a path of increasingly difficult classes, encouraging personal growth, and it invited students to take courses that allow them to express personal interests such as dance, ceramics, piano, and much more.
What do you dislike academically about RJR?
Math has always been a challenging subject for me. At RJR the math department sometimes lacks to accommodate to students who find simple math challenging to understand.
What “after hours” activities did you participate in?
I have been a member of the RJ Reynolds Dancing Boots since coming to RJR as a freshman. I also participated in various clubs, such as the Senior Girls Service Club, the Ronald McDonald House Club, RJR Furry Friends Club, the Diverse Inclusive Demons Club, French Club, and with student member of the RJR equity committee this past year. I also was a member of the RJR women's Lacrosse team my sophomore year, and was an ensemble member of this year's spring theater production of “Wizard of Oz.”
What do you like (and or dislike) “socially” about RJR?
I love all the outlets that RJR provides that promotes social activity across the campus. Reynolds has plethora of clubs, sports programs, arts programs, and more to offer for students of all interests. These various outlets provide students with various opportunities to get involved at RJR and meet other students who share their same interest.
Who was (or were) your favorite teacher(s) and/or coach(es), and why?
Over my time at RJR I have been fortunate to take classes from so many amazing and memorable teachers. During my junior year at RJR, however, I had what I still believe to be the best group of teachers that RJR has to offer. Mr. Clevenger, Mr. Colvard, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Hailey, and Madame Schmoyer were teachers that not only during my junior year, but over my entire time at RJR, have continued to support systems for me. Their kindness, love for their students, and fun spirited nature made every day in their class enjoyable. I will forever be thankful to these teachers for helping me throughout my junior year, and continuing to be bright lights in my day whenever I bumped into them in the halls or escaped to their classrooms for quick visits during my senior year.
What will be your favorite memories about going to Reynolds (and why)?
My favorite memories about going to Reynolds will be those memories that I made in the RJR auditorium with my close dance friends. The dance community at Reynolds is like no other group that I have ever been a part of. This group of people made my years at Reynolds so fulfilled through being individuals that I trusted, loved, learned, and grew from. Getting to work and create with these people will always be memories that I will look back on with such joy and love.
What will be your worst memories about going to Reynolds (and why)?
My worst memories about going to Reynolds have to be seeing the emptiness of the hallways and classrooms during the COVID pandemic. Returning to school and cohorts during my sophomore year felt so wrong to me. I hated not feeling and seeing the community aspect at Reynolds that I had loved so much during my freshman year.
What was your favorite class you took (and why)?
My favorite class that I took during my time at Reynolds was AP U.S. History with Mr. Clevenger. I have always been a bit of a history buff, a quality inherited from my grandparents…so this class was interesting and intriguing to me. Along with loving the subject, I loved Mr. Clevenger. Mr. Clevenger could make even the most boring of topics interesting through his outgoing attitude, crazy personality, and love for students and the content he was teaching.
What was the hardest class you took (and why)?
The hardest class I took during my time at Reynolds was AP Biology class. Science has been a subject I have temporarily struggled with at times. AP Biology was no exception to this trend; however, Mrs. Eldridge was a constant supportive encouragement for her students. She went out of her way to sit down with us and explain challenging topics, and provided so much insight into how she wanted us to perform in the class in order to succeed.
What would you change about RJR (if you could), and why?
My four years at RJR gifted me with some of the closest friends, most important life lessons and shaping experiences that I will ever have. When asked how I will remember my time at RJR, the first word that comes to my mind is “positive.” My experience at RJR has been nothing but positive. I look back on my four years with so much gratitude and love for the time I've spent here. RJR is truly a special place, and I could not be more thankful for getting to spend some of my most influential years at such an amazing place.
Where are you going next year (school-wise), and what will you be majoring (if you know)?
I'll be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and am planning to major in Psychology and minor in Communications.
Is there anything else you want to tell the RJR Alumni about the four years you spent at Reynolds High School (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
Reynolds is truly an amazing place to be. The four years that I spent growing and pursuing my passions at the school forever live on in my mind and heart as some of the best years of my life. The friendships I have made here have brought so much love and happiness in my life, and I know they will continue to thrive even after we graduate. I am so thankful for everything that RJR has given me, and I can't wait to continue to support RJR for years to come.
Kenaz McMillan
How would you describe your senior year at RJR compared to the years spent during the pandemic (and feel free to express your honest thoughts and opinions)?
Although my senior year was a non-traditional one due to being a dual enrollment student at Forsyth Technical Community College, I must say that it felt good to be back to a more normal way of life.
How much do you think virtual instruction affected the education you received at RJR during the pandemic. (You can include such things as “do you think you learned as much as you would have otherwise learned had you been going to class”?) Please feel free to express your honest thoughts and opinions?
Being thrust into virtual instruction was very unreal. The fact that the entire world shut down made everything unreal. I didn't learn from the curriculum to the best of my abilities. It took a while for me to realize I could not slack off and let my grades slip.
What classes were affected most by having to be taught virtually (and why)?
My math classes were affected most because teacher engagements are crucial for successful foundation. It is easy to get lost and distracted in math, especially when you're expected to self teach on a level you need instruction. Adults, teachers, and parents, all expected us to excel during this time, and cannot understand why we were having such a difficult time. It seems as if they did not take into consideration everyone was dying left and right, and our social world was taken away in a matter of hours. One day we were in school, the next day we could not breathe the air!!! I'm just saying it brought a lot of depression, and we didn't even know what we were going through.
What do you like academically about RJR?
I like the connections I made with some of my teachers. That really helped me learn how to actively communicate with adults.
What do you dislike academically about RJR?
Nothing much.
What “after hours” school activities did you participate in?
I participated in football, basketball, and some volunteer opportunities. I'm a founder of K&M Projects. We collected personal items in the community and school. We put together a personal care package for the elderly and delivered them around Christmas time.
What do you like (and or dislike) “socially” about RJR?
I don't like the social separatism. My stepdad attended RJR 36 years ago, and things have not changed much comparing social aspects then and now.
Who was (or were) your favorite teacher(s) and coach(es), and why?
I made some great connections with my coaches and my teachers. Mr. Boyd, Mrs. Sartin, Mrs. Bowman, Mrs. Tuck, Coach Martin, Coach Fulton, and Coach John are the teachers and coaches that always greeted me with a smile and took time to speak with me. They always made me feel I belonged, encouraged me to see the big picture. They just simply cared about me.
What was an average day at RJR like this year?
I had morning classes at Forsyth Technical Community College in the mornings, followed by lunch, 3rd and 4th periods, and football practice.
What will be your favorite memories about going to Reynolds (and why)?
The friends I made along the way and the connecting with them or my favorite memories. Being crowned Pron King was also a great memory.
What will be your worst memories about going to Reynolds (and why)?
None I can think of.
What was the favorite class you took (and why)?
My favorite class at RJR was definitely Foods and Nutrition when Mr. Boyd because of the environment and the hands-on learning. He made the classroom a fun learning experience.
What was the hardest class you took (and why)?
Spanish was a bit challenging. I struggled retaining the information.
Considering all four years, how will you remember your time and RR (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
A journey, as I got to experience high school and all the things that came with it while surviving a pandemic.
What would you change about RJR if you could, and why?
I would change the social separation and make it truly one school connected through all aspects.
Where are you going next year (school wise), and what will you be majoring in (if you know)?
I am currently attending Elon University. I started attending Elon the spring semester as an early admission. I will be majoring in Engineering.
Is there anything else you want to tell the RJR Alumni about the four years you spent at Reynolds High School (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
I would like to thank all the faculty and staff members. A special thank you to my Principal Mr. Freeman.