By Dixon Bledsoe
Laura Wanker and Helen Thomas understand kids. 
It might take them only a few hours, a couple of weeks or many months, but they invest the time to learn about their students because of their genuine love, understanding, education and passion.
It is because of their enthusiasm and ability to help kids achieve their goals that the two Silverton High School Alternative Education teachers caught Connie Hinsdale’s attention and led her to suggest they receive the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award.
Hinsdale, owner of Coldwell Banker Mountain West in Silverton (a scholarship donor company) nominated the two teachers for their service to Silverton High School youth.
“They are truly inspiring women and totally devoted to helping students who for one reason or another have gotten off track along the line in their education,” Hinsdale wrote in her nomination letter. “Spend just an hour speaking with either and you will become inspired by their devotion and emotional connection to this program and the youth they serve. I feel like Silverton and its youth are better off due to the selfless efforts of these two incredible women.”
The pair will be honored at the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Banquet Feb. 7 at the Willamette Valley Event Center in Mt. Angel.
Both Wanker and Thomas feel like they are doing a job that they have been called to do. Although at times it’s challenging, they are passionate about helping students succeed.
They share the belief to never give up on a student and that every student has potential. They aren’t quick to judge and understand sometimes a student can’t do well in the classroom because of the circumstances in his or her life.
They also believe every student is doing the best he or she can at that given moment and sometimes just need someone to help them along the way.
Both women were instrumental in starting the Greenfield-Day school in 2000-2001. The school closed three years later but the alternative education department now resides at the Schlador Street campus of Silverton High School.
Wanker had been an elementary school teacher for several years, including at Robert Frost Elementary School before she started teaching at the alternative high school. She is a certified high school teacher with a bachelor’s of science degree from Western Oregon and a master’s degree in education for at-risk students from Park University. She volunteers in the alternative education classroom at Silverton High School.
Thomas was educated at Western Oregon University in elementary education and received both her master’s degree in science education and an endorsement in special education. She is employed by the Silver Falls School District.
What many people don’t understand about the alternative education program is just how much these two caring specialists do for their charges. Imagine being a plumber asked to install plumbing in a newly built home, along with the electricity, brickwork, landscaping, heating and tile. Now think in terms of teaching geometry, advanced algebra, economics, physical science, biology and college-level English.
On any one day, the teachers could be working with one student on a history report, another on a algebra assignment and someone else on a science project.
Students in the alternative education program come from all walks of life. Some are talented and gifted students and some face hurdles such as being homeless.
What all the students have in common is they are experiencing issues within the regular classroom. The alternative education’s goal is to be proactive rather than reactive.
Believing students don’t want to fail, Wanker and Thomas serve as life coaches as well as teachers to provide students with the support they need to succeed.
For some students, it may be learning time management skills so they can stay caught up in their classes, for others something more.
Wanker and Thomas teach an extremely diverse level of learners. And they love it. Fifteen of their students are homeless, so blankets, food, clothing, heat and understanding are part of the job’s responsibilities.
In receiving their award from the Silverton Chamber presented by Silverton Ambassadors, the two educators were caught by surprise and quick to acknowledge the contributions made by their assistant, Sandy Stearns, who, according to Wanker, “Keep things ticking when Helen and I are out of control!” Stearns is quite popular with the kids and has been in the program about four years.
“Our group of kids is very diverse and somehow it works,” Wanker said. “It’s hard because they are connected to us and we are connected to them. When they hurt, we do. When they have hard times, such as losing a home or a parent losing a job, we have hard times. Part of us is gone when they go.”
Thomas said she doesn’t know why she is being recognized bit gives kudos to Silver Falls High School District office and teachers.
”The support we have received from administrators, teachers and counselors like Jennifer Hannan has been absolutely tremendous,” Thomas said. “It is because of their help, guidance and caring that we have been successful with these youth.”
She also pointed to her good friend and volunteer colleague, Wanker.
“She is the star. This is the job I am supposed to do, and I love doing it,” Thomas said.
Thomas and Wanker have the deepest respect for their students. They acknowledge many have difficult lives and deal with a crisis on a daily basis.
Although they understand their students face many hurdles, Thomas and Wanker emphasis to their students that there are things within their control.
They don’t let their students’ social problems get in the way of them doing well in the classroom and try to teach their students that going to school and doing well is a responsibility and something they can control. Both women enjoy helping students reach their potential.
“What is so special to us is the kids walk out each day and say ‘thanks.’ In the other classrooms, kids just head to the next class,” Thomas said.
“Our kids know they have something special here and they appreciate it.”
