Courtesy photo
Region 10 Teacher of the Year Julie Vaughn flanked by Whitney Sellars and Sherry Betts.

Birmingham teacher wins regional honors

By Judy Truesdell
Staff Writer

Julie Vaughan, kindergarten teacher at Birmingham Elementary in Wylie ISD who had already been named WISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, has now been named the Region 10 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

To receive this honor, she submitted several essays; at the next level of competition, state, she will also go through an interview process.

Also nominated for the honor was Sue Wilson, WISD Secondary Teacher of the Year, who is on the faculty of Achieve Academy. Superintendent Dr. John Fuller called Vaughan and Wilson “exceptional teachers and individuals.”

Regarding Vaughan’s achievement, Fuller said, “We are all so proud of her and the recognition that she has brought to herself and Wylie ISD. She has truly reached beyond ‘Exemplary’!”

Vaughan holds a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, elementary generalist, from Texas A&M University-Commerce. While at A&M, she was a member of Blue Chip Recruit, recognized for exceptional teaching potential; was named to the dean’s list and president’s list every semester, all four years; and was awarded several scholarships, including the Blue and Gold
Scholarship for academic excellence and the Cordie Lennon Scholarship for outstanding endeavors in the field of education.
As president of A&M’s chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, she was involved with community service projects such as raising funds for the local food pantry and for the Alpha Phi Foundation for Cardiac Care.

She also was employed with Apples for the Teacher as an educational sales associate. In this capacity, she developed curriculum for various workshops regarding subjects of elementary education, coordinating the activities with the TEKS tests. Vaughan also presented workshops for early childhood learning centers, elementary science education and early childhood alphabet and number comprehension.

Vaughan did her student teaching in Sulphur Springs and began her professional career in Wylie ISD in 2006.

She’s continued to go above and beyond the call of classroom duty by taking part in the 2010 Teacher Leader Academy and being a member of the WISD Campus Advisory Council, the WISD Science Curriculum Writing Team and the Campus Design Team.

She planned and presented a summer reading group for neighborhood children who will or do attend Birmingham Elementary, and she’s participated in the Children’s Book Week Organization Committee, attended Capturing Kids Hearts, and planned and presented an engagement model for the Birmingham Reading Night to represent the kindergarten team.

As impressive as her resume is – especially considering the fact that she’s only beginning her fifth year as a professional teacher – equally inspiring is the way she speaks about the profession and her role in it. She’s been called a “natural educator” by many, a title that seems just right.

“Having a teacher describe why and how she teaches is as simple as questioning a painter about his motives to paint,” she said in one of her entry essays. “Teaching is an art that is completed by many and mastered by some. Being a great teacher requires a vast knowledge of appropriate development, patience beyond measure, and the overwhelming desire to inspire the dreams of those you instruct.

“In my classroom, I strive to create a safe and structured environment for students to discover, to be loved and encouraged, to make mistakes, and to take educational risks that promote new learning. Each child in my classroom is a unique individual whom I admire for his or her diverse qualities.”

She said her students would describe her as “loving and gentle, yet structured and organized.” She believes that the implementing of routines, creating engaging lessons and building relationships with her students foster the ideal environment for learning.

“Each morning I greet every student inside the classroom door and listen to stories about dinner and ballgames, silly pets and sick siblings,” she said. She also described a “people promise,” put in place the first week of school, in which students are given a clear description of the behaviors expected in her classroom. The goal is to create a sense of mutual respect between the students and herself. “When a student makes a choice that does not uphold our agreed-upon contract, consequences occur.” She, however, speaks quietly to the student about his choices, rather than treating him with disrespect in front of his peers.

“I demonstrate respect in order to cultivate leadership,” she said. “As Thomas J. Peters wrote, ‘Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.’”

Regarding the Region 10 honor, Vaughan said it has come at an opportune time. “I have had many personal struggles this last school year, and I am truly blessed beyond measure and overwhelmingly honored to be the Elementary Teacher of the Year for Region 10. Words cannot express my appreciation for those who helped me become who I am today: loving family members, supportive friends and professionally nurturing colleagues and administrators.”

In her spare time, Vaughan enjoys playing with her purebred Dapple, piebald, blue-eyed Dachsund named  Dexter. “He has plenty of personality!” she said.

She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking  and catching up on her favorite TV shows. “Thank goodness for TiVo/DVR because I never seem to catch my shows on their original times and dates!”

Regarding her goals for the 2010-’11 school year, just under way, Vaughan said it’s all about encouraging and nurturing her students. “My passion lies in the inspiration of those whom I am fortunate enough to educate and the ability to nurture those who depend on me as their confidence develops. By exemplifying greatness, I encourage greatness. As an artist’s heart is evident in his work, my passion is evident in the lives of my students.

“Each year, I encourage each one to shine brighter, reach higher, and achieve more than he or she ever thought possible.”