Thursday, October 07, 1999
Ind. science teacher wins national award
Students matter most, she says
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
VEVAY — In big black letters, a banner above the Switzerland County High School gym reads, “We are proud of you, Mrs. Fancher.” The sign honors science instructor Bonnie Fancher, who learned this week she is one of four Indiana teachers to win a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.
Well-wishers can barely finish reading, however, before Mrs. Fancher directs their attention elsewhere.
“Let me show you what is really important here,” she says, gesturing to a nearby wall emblazoned with photos of smiling teen-agers.
There's the science team she coaches, which won the Ameritech Hoosier Academic Super Bowl in 1988 and 1996. There's the group named Indiana Key Club of the Year twice in a row. And there's the FFA club, sponsored by fellow teacher Greg Curlin, recently named FFA Chapter of the Year.
“(The award) was a little embarrassing because I don't like to be singled out, but we're not in the least bit embarrassed about this,” says Mrs. Fancher, 50, of Rising Sun. “For kids from a rural area to be able to excel at state level, that's what's really important about teaching.”
Selfless dedication to students is a big reason Mrs. Fancher won a Milken Award. Created by the family of former junk-bond wizard Michael Milken, the honor includes $25,000 that Mrs. Fancher can spend however she desires.
Mrs. Fancher joins a distinguished list of 1999 winners. Alice Waits-Richmond, a communications and English teacher at Southern Hills Career Center in Brown County, was announced as a winner this week as well, as was Dianna Lindsay, principal at Worthington Kilbourne High School in Worthington, Ohio.
Two other Ohio winners will be announced today. More winners also are expected from Indiana and Kentucky.
Mrs. Fancher won for her use of technology and her efforts to teach students real-life skills.
• She helped get a $200,000 grant that brought computers and weather-monitoring equipment to Switzerland County High. Internet access on the new computers links students at the school of 500 to the world.
• Students in Mrs. Fancher's chemistry, physics and environmental science classes don't just read books and take tests. They examine water quality in area watersheds and contribute findings to Hoosier River Watch and the Ohio River Sanitation Cooperative. In class, they learn research and analysis techniques used in professional labs.
• Mrs. Fancher has taught nearly 30 years — 19 at Switzerland County High — and her expertise is sought nationwide. Each summer at Illinois Weslyan University, she trains people to teach environmental science. She helped write state standards for students taking environmental science.
“She has done so many creative things,” said Virginia Reeves, the school librarian who helped write Mrs. Fancher's nomination. “She's just a very caring person, and she gets internal rewards just seeing students' faces light up.”
The Milken Award was given during a surprise pep assembly Tuesday.
“It was very difficult for her,” said Principal Joan Keller. “She was pleased, but she doesn't (teach) for that reason.”
That's obvious in the classroom, where Mrs. Fancher's shyness disappears.
“Hello, good people!” is her trademark greeting.
“It makes me more interested in the environment, because she makes sure you learn,” said junior Jessica Henry, 17. “She goes over and over and over things with you.”
“She has a lot of patience with people,” said junior Cristel Sketch, 16.
Mrs. Fancher looks forward to the June award celebration in Los Angeles that comes with the Milken Award, but she hasn't decided what she'll do with the $25,000.
Again, the students are more important.
“It's not an award to the school — I'd be less distressed about this if it were,” she said. “If it were my academic science team that was up there instead of me, I'd be pleased as punch.”
FANCHER FILE
Age: 50.
Residence: Rising Sun.
Family: Husband, Bill Fancher; son Matthew, 8.
Education: Received a bachelor's degree in biology in education and a master's degree in civil and environmental engineering from University of Cincinnati.
Teaching history: Began career in 1970, teaching eighth-grade general science at Residence Park School in Dayton, Ohio; started teaching at Switzerland County High School in 1980.
Honors include: Southwestern Ohio Instructional Technology Association Teacher of the Year, 1998; Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship to study seabirds in the Shetland Islands; finalist for Presidential Awards for Excellence.
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