LISBON Career center science teacher is honored by the OACTE

The local honoree said she would like to train teachers.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Tami James says she didn't get into education for the awards but because she loves teaching and being around young people.
Yet her passion for her work and her dedication to excellence are gaining notice from her peers.
The Columbiana County Career Center science instructor recently was named a career technical teacher of the year by the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Educators.
James, of Hanoverton, was named best in the association's tech prep and academics division.
The honor puts her in the running with about a dozen other educators from across the state for the association's teacher of the year award, which will be announced this summer.
James, who has won other teaching awards, teaches biology and chemistry to high school students at the career center.
Career path
Teaching is a second career for her, she noted.
After graduating from Mount Union College, she worked in the Alliance Community Hospital laboratory for about eight years.
During her hospital tenure, James started teaching chemistry part time at Stark State College in Canton. She also coached girls basketball and softball for Sebring schools.
The experiences placed her feet on a new career path. "I just knew I wanted to be around kids," she said.
She went into teaching 13 years ago and hasn't looked back.
"I love what I do," James said. Teaching "is one of the most important jobs anybody can have."
When students come to her class and say they've had difficulty passing science, James said she informs them, "You haven't had me."
Science doesn't have to be tough. "It's just a matter of how it's presented," she said.
When James isn't teaching science, she also works as an English instructor through the career center's online teaching program called the Virtual Learning Academy.
Other pursuits include serving as coordinator and coach for United Elementary's girls basketball program.
James, who has a master's degree in education from Malone College, said she wants to eventually teach at a college.
"I would like to teach teachers," she said.
One tenet she would want to get across to prospective educators is the devotion required to be a good teacher.
Teaching shouldn't be a 9-to-5 occupation, she said.
"If you're going to do a good job, you have to be willing to put in the extra time," James said.
leigh@vindy.com