EDUCATION

Five questions with 2021 Golden Apple winner Abie Vang of Washington Middle School

Mark Treinen
Green Bay Press-Gazette

GREEN BAY - Abie Vang of Washington Middle School is among seven Brown County teachers and two teaching teams named Golden Apple Award winners in 2021 by the Greater Green Bay Chamber.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette, a partner in the Golden Apple and Teachers of Distinction honors, presents this daily series of Q&As with each of the winning educators.

The Golden Apple Awards will be celebrated with a televised program, produced by WLUK Fox 11, airing at 6 p.m. April 21 on CW14 and at 5 p.m. April 25 on Fox 11.

RELATED:'Your work sets them off on their journey': Golden Apple Awards honor outstanding teachers in Brown County

Here are five questions with Abie Vang:

Abie Vang is a 2021 Golden Apple Award winner

What’s the most important thing you have learned in your career about teaching students?

Answer: The importance of building relationships. The relationships I have created between my students and I make me a more effective educator. The relationship signals to my students that I care about them as a person, more than I care about their homework, assessments or grades. This foundation helps us, both teacher and students, build a classroom community focused on respect and learning. If my students forget everything I teach but remember that I care about them, that’s a win in my book.

How do you motivate yourself every day?

Answer: With a reminder that my students deserve an educator who cares for them and will push them to reach their fullest potential. Every day or year that a student has me as their teacher, I am responsible for being that person. I am responsible for making sure my students know I care about them and helping them reach their goals. This idea is especially helpful when I feel like giving up and reminds me of why I wake up and do what I do every single day.

If you had a magic wand, how would you use it in your school or community?

Answer: I would change the negative view society has on educators. Educators are professionals but they aren’t always seen or treated as professionals. I can tell you all about what teachers have to do besides teach, but I am concerned with the future of education. If we continue to tear down educators, we are sending the message that education is not a worthwhile profession. We need to change this view on educators so that we continue to have the best and brightest serving our students.

Washington Middle School teacher Abie Vang holds up the Golden Apple award she received during a surprise virtual presentation ceremony on Feb. 18, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis.

What is your big-picture goal as a teacher?

Answer: Make a positive change and/or impact on or through my students. Every day I work to make sure my students are equipped with the skills and values to make the world better since they are the future. I know my students will become the next thinkers and leaders to shape our world. I look forward to seeing my students reach their greatest potential and change the world.  

How have you overcome the challenges of teaching during the pandemic?

Answer: I won’t say I’ve overcome the challenges of teaching during a pandemic. However, I will say that I, like all teachers this year, have risen to the challenge and did my best. To help me teach as effectively as possible, I implemented multiple things like using multiple strategies to engage students, creating lessons that allowed for student voice and choice, taking advantage of what technology had to offer and, most importantly, building relationships with my students.

RELATED:Q&A with April Neuville of Father Allouez Catholic School

RELATED:Q&A with Tracey Brewczynski and Tracy Wiedeman of Pulaski schools

RELATED:Q&A with Sara Shefchik of Bay Port High School

Golden Apple Award winner interviews

(All dates are online publication. Articles will appear in print the following day)

April 12: Abie Vang, Washington Middle School

April 13: Sara Shefchik, Bay Port High School, Howard-Suamico district

April 14: Pulaski School District Online Learning Team: Tracey Brewczynski and Tracy Wiedeman

April 15: April Neuville, Father Allouez Catholic School, Allouez

April 16: Jenna Mixer, John Dewey Academy of Learning, Green Bay

April 17: Dave Landers, Pulaski Community Middle School

April 18: Brooke Hoffman, Bay View Middle School, Howard-Suamico district

April 19: Jessica Bernard, Nicolet Elementary School, Green Bay

April 20: Ashwaubenon High School Literacy Team: Lindsey Hilgemann, Crystal Sandmann, Emily Steuck