by Leigh Ann Eck
Featured Teacher: Steve Toy
College Degrees:
M. A. in English Education, Indiana State University
B. A. in Secondary Education, English, Indiana State University
Awards:
Vincennes Lincoln Educator of the Year, 2019, 2012, selected by the Vincennes Lincoln graduating class
Knox County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year, 2018, presented by Knox County, Indiana, Chamber of Commerce, inaugural honoree
Teacher of the Year, 2003, presented by Knox County, Indiana, Farm Bureau
Current School and Position:
English/Language Arts Teacher and English Department Chair, Vincennes Lincoln High School
Teaching History:
I currently teach freshman and senior honors (dual credit) English classes and core 40
freshman English classes. I have taught English classes ranging from special needs to advanced placement classes since 1983. I currently serve as an iCoach (instructional coach) for faculty and the English department chairperson. I have been both the high school yearbook and newspaper sponsor and have taught English Composition classes at Vincennes University.
How and when did you know you wanted to become an English teacher?
I knew early in high school (freshman-sophomore year or so) that I wanted to be an English teacher, but an excess of teachers at the time caused me to consider different options during my senior year and my first year of college; however, by the end of my freshman year of college, I was back to a secondary education English major.
How would you describe your teaching career in one sentence?
My teaching career has been both incredibly rewarding and incredibly humbling.
What was your favorite book you read this past school year?
The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
Share what advice you would give to new teachers or students who are thinking about teaching as a career.
First, accept people (specifically, your students) where they are but push them as far as you can, and secondly, remember that teaching is about the people first and the content next.
Share what gives you energy in your classroom.
The first source of my energy is my students. I believe every person is an opportunity, so that belief allows me to see my students as the most interesting part of my job.
How do you recharge away from school?
Travel is my preferred method of recharging away from school. I've been fortunate enough to travel somewhat extensively, even participating in a school exchange program in Germany.
What was an adjustment you had to make in your teaching practices for virtual learning during the pandemic?
As a rule, I don't generally give out my phone number, however, doing so became necessary in some cases. Trying to explain a somewhat tedious research process through texting or email would have been inefficient. Having the student on speaker phone, so that we both could be on our computers while I explained how he or she should go about a process was far more effective. I fully believe virtual learning was as much a learning experience for me as it was for my students.
“Mr. Toy is an exceptional teacher who never failed to incorporate thoughtful discussions, witty comments, and real-world examples in a 50-minute class period. He pushed us to do our very best every single day to prepare us for college-level classes and to be the best students we could be.” Alli Donovan, Class of 2015
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