Phyllis Gastonguay

Research in education shows that the highest level of learning occurs when students are actively involved in the learning. This principle is the standard by which Phyllis Gastonguay, a Freeport Area third grade teacher, conducts her teaching everyday.

Phyllis has the unique opportunity to teach in the same school she attended as a child, Buffalo Elementary in Sarver. Believing in the value of "active learning," she makes it possible for the students to do many hands-on activities. "We make things, play a lot of games, and do science experiments. The activities make the learning more meaningful," she explains. In this way "the children think that most of what they do is fun."

Just outside her classroom one finds an enormous carpeted room, better known as a "pod." Phyllis shares the pod with three other teachers as a resource room for even more hands-on learning. Since the third and fourth graders are studying plants, the pod is brimming with vegetation on every table along with activities for studying and discovering. This set-up is every teacher's dream, and Phyllis makes wonderful use of the facility to enrich the learning with various units of study.

From the time Phyllis was very young, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher. She explains that she loved working with children and never considered being anything else. After receiving her degree in Elementary Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Phyllis continued there for a Master degree in Reading. She has been teaching for 29 years at Buffalo Elementary and still has the exuberance of a new teacher. For her dedication and excellence, parents and colleagues voted her Teacher of the Year in 2001.

Feeling a little uncomfortable about being singled out for an interview, Phyllis declares, "Everybody here is an important part of the team, from the administration to the custodial staff." She enthusiastically explains how well everyone in her school works together. "This is like your extended family. Everybody gets along so well." As a team they have accomplished many exciting programs for the children, including a "Read to Succeed" after-school tutoring program and a large-scale evening program called "Read Across America" for parents and students.

Even on a typical day in September, however, one finds a marvelous demonstration of the teamwork Phyllis describes. Take a stroll through the halls and find that each pod is filled with an amazing display that typifies something the classes are studying. The sixth grade pod contains a complete life-size campsite with a tent, dining table, and beach scene!

One of the goals that Phyllis has reached in her teaching is making her class child-centered. She strives to meet the needs of each student and uses grouping strategies to help the children do the best at whatever they are doing. Her favorite aspect of teaching is when she knows "that the students have learned something - when you see that light bulb come on."

Not only does Phyllis devote her time to outstanding teaching in the classroom, but also to various other responsibilities. In the past she has served as the cooperating teacher for student teachers, done many in-service presentations, and participated on committees for school programs. This year she holds the office of Union President, and is a mentor for a new teacher.

Along with being a teacher, Phyllis is a devoted wife and mother. She praises her husband Jerry for his great support, saying, "I couldn't ask for anyone better." Her daughter Cara Antonelli is a senior at Clarion, and she has three grown stepchildren. If she can grab a spare minute, Phyllis enjoys gardening and swimming.

All of the duties of a teacher require an abundant amount of time. To be the kind of teacher who provides a host of activities and hands-on experiences in addition to the regular curriculum indicates a person who is committed to making a difference in the lives of students. We applaud Phyllis for being one of our great Alle-Kiski educators.