Roanoke, Va. – Staging in a high school hallway -- a special surprise awaits for the man coming thru those gym doors. We deliver another shining example of how being passionate about your job, day in and day out--can change students lives. Patrick Henry High School Special Education Teacher Bryce Vandenberg is the December recipient of the Education Impact award.
“I think for me, it’s just my kids try so hard every day that we with them to try just as hard to make their life a little bit better to make their transition from high school out into the community as best as we can give them the tools to be successful. And it takes work, and it takes somebody that’s understanding because every day is a challenge for them and for us,” Vandenberg says.”
“He’s very dedicated and I think most importantly, an honorable man as well. So we’re excited that he he’s here. He knows our kids a mile deep and he’s an example of not just to a students, but to the staff that work around him and as seen as a great resource, so he’s definitely a diamond in the rough,” Patrick Henry HS Principal Joseph Booan says.
The Appalachian State product has been at PH--for nine years, leading the way in the Patriots’ special education program as an Autism teacher with both passion --and compassion--- in equal measure. It’s a set of qualities developed early thru his own families’ circumstances. “I grew up with a cousin at cerebral palsy. My sister and I kind of took care of her most of the summers my senior in high school. I chose to be a TA in the gym with her PE class to try and do adapted PE with her to get her a little bit more involved so that’s kind of where my spark for special ed came from,” Bryce explains.
Bryce is an experienced educator who generous with his time and talents. He’s been touted as a motivated-- ‘miracle worker’--by his nominees.
“Mr. Vandenberg being called the miracle worker by the people that nominate him just speaks volumes too. I think how he handles his role here how he interacts with his students here how he creates an environment for them that is meaningful, but just really helps them excel at what they need in this environment in this learning environment to be successful,” says Blue Eagle Credit Union Director of Marketing Laurissa Thompson.
Bryce and the school receive 250 dollars each from Blue Eagle Credit Union --and the deserving recognition--for certain. And his students receive something valuable as well. It looks different for each of them, but thanks to Mr. Vandenberg--those doors to “special success” are now wide open.