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Roselawn teacher influences Chetek senior's success
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| By: Rachel Westberg |
May 06, 2009 |
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Chetek senior Ivanna Boychuk, left, has remained close with her second-grade teacher Lisa Leach, who was a major influence on Boychuk’s education when she moved to Chetek with her family from Ukraine nearly 10 years ago.
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Roselawn Elementary second-grade teacher Lisa Leach was given a challenge nearly 10 years ago-educate a new student coming from Ukraine with limited English skills. Now, that same student is preparing to graduate from Chetek High School with top honors and has recognized Leach for her support over the years.
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Chetek High School senior Ivanna Boychuk moved to the United States with parents Valentina and Vasyl from Ukraine in 1999. By her age, Ivanna should've been a fourth-grader, but with limited English skills, she was put into the second grade at Roselawn Elementary. Boychuk had approximately two years of English in Ukraine, but it was not enough for her to comprehend classes.
There was no English as a Second Language instructor for Roselawn then, so the principal at the time, Kathy Gjesfjeld, suggested Leach work with Boychuk. Leach collected picture books and used visuals to help Boychuk learn English and hoped immersing the shy girl in a classroom of English speakers would help.
"I was a little worried, but I knew how children pick up on things, so I decided to just see how things would go," recalls Leach. "I knew there were a couple of girls in my room who would be able to help her. It was slow at first, but I could tell she was catching on to things."
"When I walked into the classroom, I was shocked," remembers Boychuk. "I didn't understand things. I just copied what everyone else did and watched the others. I learned to understand others, then I learned to speak."
Unbeknownst to Leach until recently, that was how Boychuk first began to learn English. She spent about half of the year slowly beginning to comprehend what was happening. Eventually, she became an integral part of the class.
"She just seemed to fit," says Leach. "As soon as I saw her math skills, I knew she would do well. About halfway through the year we put her in third-grade math. There was a door between my room and the other teacher, so I could keep an eye on her. It still took a good few months just to learn about her because she was so quiet at first. But I got to understand quickly that she was smart."
At the same time, Leach got to know Boychuk's parents. She admits the first meeting was a bit uncomfortable, because they didn't speak any English either. But Leach and the Boychuks soon developed a working relationship.
Boychuk was able to skip third grade and was placed in the fourth grade the following year. Leach remained close with Boychuk and her family, checking in often. That year, Boychuk expressed to Leach concern for her parents, who didn't seem to be learning English. Leach tried to think of ways to help them, even suggesting taking a class at WITC in Rice Lake. Eventually, Leach decided to try her hand at giving them help with English, and through her interaction with them, became close friends with the family.
As Boychuk made her way through school, Leach continued to stay in touch, remembering birthdays and holidays. She often would even inquire with Boychuk's teachers and parents as to how she was doing and who her friends were.
Now a senior preparing to graduate, Boychuk's strong beginnings have served her well. She is student council president, third runner-up in the 2008 Miss Chetek Pageant, a National Honor Society member and salutatorian of the 2009 graduating class. Next fall she plans on attending Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., and is considering majoring in international studies.
For her successes, Boychuk was named Chetek's 2009 Northwest United Educators' Outstanding Student. As part of the NUE recognition, students from around the area are honored during a banquet, which was held April 15. Students are asked to bring along their most influential teacher. Boychuk chose Leach.
"She had the most influence on everything I've done in Chetek," says Boychuk. "I learned English because of her, and that was the first-and most-important step here. I don't know, if I had had another teacher, how it would've affected me. I don't know if I would've learned English as well or skipped a grade. She has helped me and encouraged me and always been there."
It is fairly unusual for senior students to remember their elementary teachers and honor them as influential, as many students bring teachers from their high school career. Leach noted that to be remembered was very flattering.
"I was very honored to be chosen by Ivanna," says Leach. "Her situation is so unique and I have so much respect for her and her parents and all of the things they've done. When working with her and her parents, I just hoped I could help in some way. I also learned their culture and really grew to admire them. The pressures they had really made me put things into perspective, too."
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and the stories of those like Boychuk and Leach are a testament to the effect educators have on the life of their youths. It is also evidence of the impact a student can have on teachers.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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