left to right: Jim Busey, Lake Chelan S.D. Supt; Jake Griffith and Casey Spurgeon, Lake Chelan H.S. Student Body officers; 2002 National Teacher of the Year Chauncey Veatch; Glenn Johnson, Cashmere S.D. Supt; and Steve McKenna, Manson S.D. Supt.

When Chauncey Veatch retired as a U.S. Army colonel in 1995, he wanted to try teaching. The 2002 National Teacher of the Year now believes this is the most important and rewarding thing he has ever done. He stated, in his visit to Lake Chelan School District August 29, “Teaching is not just a job, it is a calling.”

Mr. Veatch was invited by Superintendent Jim Busey, Lake Chelan School District; Superintendent Glenn Johnson, Cashmere School District; and Superintendent Steve McKenna from Manson School District, to speak to district staff in preparation for the new school year.

In his presentation, Chauncey mentioned that few areas/regions truly work together on common issues and challenges like the collaboration he saw here. Jim Busey stated, “Chauncey’s message is similar to Dr. Fullan and Dr.Shaw in that our profession is about improving the life chances for all students. His story about the children’s lives he touches through caring, compassion, and being a ‘dream maker’ are inspirational to everyone. Chauncey works in the most challenging of school districts, yet is able to help every student achieve excellence and reach their potential.”

Chauncey, who teaches in a predominantly Hispanic district, requests the most difficult and challenging students to be a part of his class each year. When seeking inspiration to teach his first class after serving in the Army, h e reviewed his class list of predominantly Hispanic names. There he saw a way to show them that they, like the famous people they were named for, could be people of destiny -- people who could change history.

Mr. Veatch believed then -- and his students have now proven to him -- that it is a privilege to teach these children and that "every child brings a gift."

One student, for example, had to overcome barriers of poor English skills, poverty, the death of his father, a mom who then had to work two jobs, and increased family responsibilities as "man of the house."

Despite the obstacles, Mr. Veatch helped the student believe in himself and understand the power of belief. The student went on to achieve a perfect score on the SAT -- something very few native English speakers accomplish. And three universities offered him full-ride scholarships. He is now a sophomore at Stanford.

Then there was the History Team, made up of 10th-graders, including two Special Education students. They beat the senior-dominated team in their own school. They beat all the other schools in California. And then they achieved a silver medal at nationals.

As these students competed, the father of one of the Special Ed kids was sitting next to Mr. Veatch. The father tried to express his feelings, but his emotions were too great, as tears poured down his face.

"What a privilege it is for me to know these families," Mr. Veatch said. "Nothing brings me greater joy than the pride of their parents."

Mr. Veatch has succeeded in helping his students discover their gifts. Chauncey takes the time to get to know his students and inspire them to do the most they can with their lives. Of his 32 students last year, all of them will be attending college this fall. Mr. Veatch uses a portion of his speaking fees to help fund their college expenses.

--taken in part from a Migrant Education News article by Ken Harvey.