Rachel Vergil of Bear Cub Preschool in Scottsbluff has been named TC & More’s Teacher of the Week.
Vergil, who lives in Scottsbluff, is in her sixth year as a preschool teacher at Bear Cub Preschool. Before she started teaching in Scottsbluff, Vergil taught kindergarten for 10 years in Arizona.
Vergil graduated from Bridgeport High School in 2000 and then graduated from Doane University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and early childhood education.
The person who nominated Vergil said, “I have been an elementary para for eight years. This spring I made a change to preschool. I have always known that being a teacher is a tough job but very rewarding. However, I don’t think I realized that it takes a special person to be a preschool teacher. Rachel has a big heart, respect and a lot of patience with her little friends. I have learned a lot from her and appreciate the opportunity to grow as a person through her example as a teacher. The kids that enter her classroom are blessed to be taught by her. … From my viewpoint, Rachel deserves to be recognized for her outstanding dedication.”
Vergil said she loves teaching at Bear Cub Preschool.
“Every day is an adventure because the kids have such a love for learning, and they approach everything with enthusiasm and happiness, and they’re excited to see you every day and hear what you have to say about everything we’re learning,” she said. “The other thing I love about teaching preschool is that we get to do play-based learning. We’re able to incorporate all kinds of learning skills but in a play-based situation. So, we’re working on social skills and language skills, and we also incorporate academic skills while they are playing. It’s a pretty fun environment, seeing how much growth they can make within our setting – not only in the academic way but also with the social piece, which is very important.”
Outside of teaching, Vergil said she enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have three children: Alaina, 11; Pierce, 6; and Alivian, 10 months.
“Our family likes to be outdoors. We like to go camping and fishing,” she said.
For being named TC & More’s Teacher of the Week, Vergil will receive a $10 gift certificate to TC & More, which is located at 1621 Broadway Ave. in downtown Scottsbluff. Gift certificates may be picked up at TC & More.
TC & More, which is the only business in western Nebraska that sells educational materials, offers a wide selection of classroom decor for area teachers. In addition, TC & More offers home decor, gifts, purses, toys, and so much more. TC & More, which encourages people to “Like” its Facebook page, also provides free gift wrapping and a 10 percent discount for seniors and military personnel.
If you would like to nominate an area teacher for TC & More’s Teacher of the Week honor, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, teachers honored as TC & More’s Teacher of the Week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in January to Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy.
