“Really, as a Middle School teacher--although I’m teaching a subject--I’m fostering a curiosity of learning. That is really what I do. It doesn’t matter if I teach US History. It could be any subject, I’m teaching critical thinking, academic writing.”
subjects she teaches, however, are the life lessons she imbues. “Really, as a Middle School teacher--although I’m teaching a subject--I’m fostering a curiosity of learning. That is really what I do. It doesn’t matter if I teach US History. It could be any subject, I’m teaching critical thinking, academic writing. I have to know the individual person. Where are they coming from? I know this kid could do more, why is she not? Also, helping kids to identify that and understand themselves better and figure it all out.”
As a Sociology major, Yeager is always looking for the “why” in student behavior. Where did this behavior come from? Why is it there? “From middle school on there should be a dialog,” she says. “That doesn’t mean a parent or teacher gives up his or her authority. A dialogue gives you a chance to explain why a decision is being made or consequences are being given, and you get a chance to hear where the kid is coming from. If we’re just guessing about why a kid doesn’t like a decision, that’s not good enough.”
graduated we had a “double wide” and there were no other amenities. I couldn’t have envisioned the physical plant. With such a small community, this small number of students, that so much can be provided--theater, sports, science programs. . . it’s just amazing. When people from my era come back they are stunned. They just can’t believe we have a scuba crew and that we have kids competing and winning at state. We were not that school, and to see it happen in such a short amount of time. . . phenomenal. And just like when I was here, it’s the faculty who would do anything that’s possible to support student growth.”
This drive to give students what they need at every level will sound familiar to current Canterbury parents and, according to Yeager, has always been a part of Canterbury’s faculty culture.
The thing Yeager is most excited about right now regarding the growth of the school is the diversity of all kinds; religious, racial and socioeconomic. “I would not have sent Hayden here if that diversity wasn’t present. It’s the single best thing that has happened here, that our community now reflects the general population community. On my son’s campus we have gay families, and English-as-a-second-language families, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s now a modern culture.”
When Yeager started at Canterbury in 1982 the campus was at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church on St. Pete Beach. Melanie Heath, now her colleague, was her Science teacher.
When speaking with Yeager, her winning combination of intelligence, passion and empathy can make her seem almost too perfect, so I asked her what she’s struggling with right now.
“I never envisioned when I graduated that this would be a place with a stunning physical plant and all the programs to go with it. When I
Just like “Everymom”, she answered, “Simplicity. I have no ‘me’ time. I’m a single parent. No complaints, I’m blessed beyond measure, but I struggle mightily just to find time to refuel.
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I believe the few things I chose to get involved with (work, church, family) I want to do very well, and I want to give back, so that doesn’t leave much time at the end of the day. All of those things are energizing, but there is a stretch to find time to take care of myself.” Though she may not always find time for it at home, Yeager delights in simple pleasures and is lucky to find them at work. “I spend an awful lot of time at work, whether it’s in the physical building or grading at home. So it better mean a lot to me. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping young people realize their goals and build the skills they need for success. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day… or midnight hour,” she laughs. “At school I get the simple pleasure of connecting with a student and really knowing him or her as a person which enables me to do my job better. Joy is not complicated if we let it be simple.” And simple is how she takes her weekends too. “Friday night is movie night with my son, so last weekend I watched Veggie Tales and ate pizza with my four-year-old,” says Yeager. “Saturday, it’s chores; cat to the vet, mowed my mom’s lawn. Big times! I’m reading the third book in the Inheritance series (by Christopher Paolini) because one of my eighth grade boys is reading them. We started a conversation about it in class so I’m reading to discuss with him. Sunday I taught Sunday school, then played with my son, and Sunday night’s all work prep. Boy, I sound pretty boring, but actually I’m pretty happy with that life.” However she wants to describe her life, we are certainly lucky that such a large part of it has happened at Canterbury.