Terre Haute South

Golden Apple Winner – Peggy Grabowski

Christine Davies — Tue, 11 May 2021 03:38:40 +0000

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) – The great Orsen Wells once said, “If you want a happy ending – that depends on where you stop your story.”

These are profound words our next Golden Apple award winner agrees with.

For the last three decades, Peggy Grabowski’s story has involved teaching teenagers not only character development from the books they read but also their own personal character development.

It is helping them grow into positive, productive adults.

Grabowski is an English teacher at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She calls herself a word queen, and in her classroom – words matter.

“The words that we use can be positive, but they can also be damaging. And the connotations of those words are important. And I really want the students to really look at word choice..not only in the literature but in their own speech and in their own writing,” Grabowski told us.

She believes literature lends itself to getting people engaged.

Grabowski is known for circle discussions. That is when students put their desks in a circle to discuss the book they’re reading to keep everyone connected.

“What better way than in English class where we can read books, unpack what’s going on in the book, connect to it ourselves in some way and then maybe do something about it as well,” Grabowski said.

Grabowski also created the ‘Stand Club’ at Terre Haute South. It’s a student-led movement where kids engage in local, national, and even global non-profit organizations.

“Really instills that high character and morales she has. She instills that with her students and they just strive to please her. They care what she thinks,” Dr. Tammy Rowshandel, Terre Haute South’s Principal, said.

When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll often find Mrs. Grabowski coaching the spell bowl team at South. She’s taken her team to the state finals 18 times.

She loves words so much she has a word wall in her classroom. It helps students use those words in their critical thinking.

Peggy Grabowski has taught what she loves for the last 30 years. She told her her favorite thought for the day in the classroom goes like this:

“Life doesn’t have to be perfect in order for it to be wonderful.”

The post Golden Apple Winner – Peggy Grabowski appeared first on Terre Haute South.

Super Bowl Team Earns Perfect Score!

Christine Davies — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:51:45 +0000

South’s English Super Bowl Team: The team earned a perfect score in the English round – 25/25. They will now advance to the State Finals. They read, unpacked, and discussed a novel, a play, three short stories, and five poems, with the theme being “The American Woman”, in preparation for the competition. Congrats goes out to these phenomenal ladies: Ananya Gera, Ishreet Lehal, Laura Rong, Nevaeh Shouse, and Kiersten Yamamoto. Coached by: Mrs. Grabowski

The post Super Bowl Team Earns Perfect Score! appeared first on Terre Haute South.

#RedForEd Wednesday: Ms. Samantha Henry

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 19:27:42 +0000

VCSC is highlighting a teacher every Wednesday as a part of the #RedForEd campaign.

Every year is a great year to celebrate our teachers, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today we’re highlighting Ms. Samantha Henry, a chemistry teacher at Terre Haute South High School.

What motivates you?
The kids motivate me more than anything. My students are high achievers that love to learn, but sometimes chemistry can be hard and intimidating. Their questions and discussions are exciting and interesting every day. They motivate me to make chemistry fun and approachable. I am always trying to make them see that they can do hard things, and that the struggle is worth it!

How has your job changed due to COVID?
The biggest change in my job due to COVID is technology. I spend a large portion of my planning time converting things that were paper/pencil into a digital format and making videos that cover my courses. I don’t think that this is a bad thing though. My students can access their chemistry materials from anywhere, and the video lectures that I have made this year can be accessed repeatedly to help students who are struggling for years to come. One negative change that COVID has brought is the difficulty of getting to know my students this year. Most years by this time I know them so well and we have a ton of inside jokes and memories that have been made in AP Chemistry, but this year it has been so hard. I’ve missed the chaos and chatter of a full classroom.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
My job is so rewarding, but some days (especially this year) can be so hard. I think that sometimes people forget that students aren’t just students. They have so many other things that they have to worry about, and sometimes school has to take a back burner. I struggle with this often. I want to teach my students chemistry, but I also try to be empathetic to the fact that they are nearly adults with their own fears, worries, stresses, and responsibilities. I spend a lot of time outside of school worrying about my students and all of the things that they have on their plate. This balancing act is so hard as a high school teacher. I’m trying to teach them content, but also how to be organized, successful adults.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
The people! VCSC is full of amazing people that all want to see each other succeed. I have so many friends and mentors in the THS staff. They are great listeners when I need advice or just need to vent. Also, the awesome adults in the VCSC are working hard to make amazing students. My students are kind, hardworking, and they know so many things! That is all due to the great teachers they have had in the VCSC. I consider myself so lucky to get to teach them!

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as VCSC recognizes members of our non-teaching staff. They will continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

The post #RedForEd Wednesday: Ms. Samantha Henry appeared first on Terre Haute South.

#Staffurday highlight: Ms. Sandy Grogan-Sills

admin — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 19:26:45 +0000

Every Saturday, VCSC highlights a non-teaching staff member on their Facebook and Twitter (@vcsc_teamvigo) account, turning Saturday into #Staffurday to introduce you to some of the people who make school happen!

Every year is a great year to celebrate our staff, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.

Today, meet Ms. Sandy Grogan-Sills, an educational assistant at Terre Haute South High School.

What motivates you?
What motivates me is I want to alway be busy doing something. Whether I am asked to sew buttons on the ROTC jackets, taking a student down to the boutique, putting labels on envelopes, or just putting papers in alphabetical order for other departments.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
COVID changed my job when I helped in the daycare with elementary age students. I learned how to log students in for Google Meets, I brought in my sewing machine and fabric for the students to make pillows. Doing arts and crafts was so fun. Going from high school students to a younger age was quite a change. No students in the school meant that there were no students going to be in AEP.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
My job is being the AEP (alternative education placement ) instructor. Most think I just sit and watch students all day and don’t do very much. I also do a lot of other jobs while in AEP. I have even graded to assist teachers. I also help in the health office when needed. I am the representative of all the EA’s in Vigo County.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love my job with VCSC. I started many years ago when my daughter was in kindergarten, and now she has a daughter who is a freshman at Terre Haute North. I moved out of the area and took an EA position in Boone County for a while when my father’s health was failing. I came back to Terre Haute in 2009 and I was hired and have been at Terre Haute South since. Being off in the summer gives me the opportunity to take part in the many organizations that I belong to.

Be sure to check back on Wednesday as VCSC highlightd another teacher for #RedforEd Wednesday! They will continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

The post #Staffurday highlight: Ms. Sandy Grogan-Sills appeared first on Terre Haute South.

Golden Apple Winner – Patrick Killeen

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:38:36 +0000

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) – To say the pandemic has thrown us all sorts of curveballs would probably be an understatement.

For instance, we didn’t get to present our Gold Apple Awards last April, like we normally do. Schools were shut down.

We are presenting them this week…but going about it a little differently. We weren’t allowed in the schools to get video of our winners teaching and interacting with their students.

Instead of that being a problem though, one of our outstanding educators made it a challenge.

Terre Haute South teacher Patrick Killeen made it a class project to tell us his story.

His classroom is called the ‘Southside Media Cafe.’ It is set up like a 50’s diner with all kinds of media memorabilia.

You’ll find things like 8-track players and digital recorders. A live DJ booth, tv news set, and a photography studio.

Killeen has been a friend to the students there for nearly 30 years.

“A place to maybe form some new dreams about what they might want to do in the future,” Killeen said.

He teaches radio, television, graphic design, and yearbook layout at South. It’s a place where some students literally find their voice.

Many others find a safe, calm environment where they feel loved.

“I had a girl a couple of years ago come in and tell me ya know Mr. Killeen this is the only room where I feel loved. Gosh, that broke my heart. But it’s important work that we do,” Killeen told us.

That positive reinforcement is evident from the very entrance of the classroom.

A big screen says “Welcome to the Southside Cafe, Where Everyone is Brilliant.”

“I honestly believe every student that comes in here is brilliant in one way or another. Sad part is that some of them may never have heard that about themselves over the years…In here, it’s not how smart you are that’s important but how you’re smart that’s important,” Killeen said.

He told us all of his classes stress a team atmosphere. Students work together to put on the school newscast. And his graphic design class works as a team to put together the yearbook.

Every student does every aspect of the journalistic process. Taking pictures, writing stories, and even selling ads.

It’s an atmosphere that has students at South taking his class year after year.

It’s evident Mr. Killeen has had an impact on the young lives there. You’ll find several pictures with his students, and personal letters thanking him for making a difference.

Perhaps the awards he’s most fond of are his Golden Apples.

“Back in the late 1990’s, I had a student that was very special to me and my family. He nominated me and well when I didn’t get it he was so upset he personally handcrafted this one for me. So I think I’ll always cherish this Golden Apple as well…they’ll both have a special place in my home,” Killeen said.

A very special thank you to South student Max Schoffstall and Mr. Killeen’s entire class for helping us with this project.

The post Golden Apple Winner – Patrick Killeen appeared first on Terre Haute South.