One might describe a hero in many ways. Webster s describes a hero as any person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for one s brave deeds and noble qualities and is regarded as a model. Students will tell you, "A hero is simply a person who cares, someone who takes the extra time to make a difference in the lives of their students." Vernice James, the Health Science Technology II Instructor at Mid-America Area Vocational-Technical School, is certainly considered a hero under all these definitions.

Vernice James returned to Oklahoma to a hero s welcome after being awarded the America Vocational Association s Region IV Teacher of the Year Award. Region IV is a seven-state area, including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and New Mexico. Vernice will now advance to the Nationals to vie for the National Teacher of the Year title.

Vernice is a 29-year veteran of the health-care profession. She has taught at Mid-America Area Vocational-Technical School for the past 26 years. The Health Science Technology Program at Mid-America Area Vocational-Technical School prepares students to be successfully employed in specialized certification-level positions. This program is multifaceted and emphasizes the integration of higher-order cognitive and hands-on skills for employment in today s diverse health careers. With these skills, students develop the ability to reason and think critically, solve problems, make effective decisions and utilize individual creativity and imagination. Students improve their health care skills with laboratory experiences such as clinical work site learning, health simulations, role playing, small and large group activities, case studies, health research, individualized instruction and Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) activities. The Health Science Technology Program is a two-year course for high school junior and senior students. High school students can matriculate into the practical nursing program on our campus, which in turn matriculates statewide to the registered nursing programs.

When asked, students will tell you that there are several factors that make this program unique. The first unusual characteristic lies in its ability to allow students to train individually in the specialized certification area that best meets their career goal. Because of the disparity in specialized areas, a significant amount of program time is spent on dealing with different personality styles and conflict resolution. Team building is stressed. The amount of time students spend on a weekly basis in this program is quite different from many students. Most students will tell you they are with the instructor for more hours during the week than they are at home with their parents. Because of the amount of time spent with Ms. James, a very close rapport develops between the students and their instructor. Students are treaded like adults and are expected to behave in a manner typical of a health care professional. During the final 150 hours of the program, students actually work in a physician s offi ce or clinic, where they are allowed to utilize the skills that they have developed during the year. The vast majority of the students will be employed as Medical Assistants or Phlebotomy Technicians at the end of their clinical rotations.

Through employment in two local hospitals and a home health care center, Vernice stays up-to-date on all modern technology, training, and business and industry contacts. She has developed a Mentoring Program, in which her students are allowed to shadow her. The shadowing includes hospital visits, surgical observation, and in-office clinical. Several students were allowed to operate medical equipment and assist in the collection of transplant organs.

One parent recounts her personal relationship with Ms. James as follows: "Vernice and I became acquainted when she recruited my daughter into her Health Science Technology Program at Mid-America Area Vocational-Technical School. My daughter loved Vernice and her class. She served as a local and state HOSA officer, and even ran for a national HOSA office under Vernice s leadership. Vernice was not only a source of inspiration, but also a mentor for my daughter. She helped build her self-esteem and challenged her to do her very best! Ms. James would not accept anything less from my daughter! Vernice impressed on her the importance of setting goals and showed her how good it felt to attain the goals. Ms. James sees potential in every student; she imbues the ability to achieve anything they dream. She is able to bring the most out of each student and helps those who need special help without making them feel isolated.

"If she touches all her students the way she touched my daughter, she deserves more than this honor. She deserves a Gold Star in Heaven. Believe me, I know how long it takes to turn a child s life around; and it feels great to have a daughter who knows what she wants out of life and is not afraid to go after it. For this I am forever grateful to Ms. James. My daughter wants to be a Registered Nurse and a mentor for students just like Ms. James was to her. Ms. James is a her to me and to every student she inspires."

A former student writes, "I was a student that most teachers did not want in their classes. Ms. James not only recruited me, but she also loved me! My life made a significant change through the impact of Ms. James expertise in building self-esteem and developing leadership skills, as well as through her influence as a positive role model. She taught me The hands of HOSA mold the health of tomorrow. I am gainfully employed in my home town and have become a professional who is highly respected not only be my peer professionals but also by other members of my community. Ms. James is my hero. She is most deserving of this honor."

Submitted by:

Gail Pearson
Oklahoma State Department of Vocational-Technical Education