About 'Teacher of the Year' Marilyn Lance, a member of Averill Park Teachers Association, was chosen from about 60 teachers nominated throughout the state. She was honored by the Regents and received gifts from New York State United Teachers as well as other sponsors. Her district granted her 20 days of release time for speaking engagements and other activities. The Teacher of the Year is chosen by a screening committee, which includes several statewide educational groups including NYSUT. Applicants submit numerous letters of recommendation from parents, colleagues, administrators and others. For further information, contact Cheryl Fries of the Bureau of Professional Career Opportunity programs, the State Education Department (518) 486-6042 or e-mail cfries@mail.nysed.gov.

Don't let Marilyn Lance's soft voice and gentle demeanor fool you.

Spend a few minutes in her West Sand Lake classroom and you quickly realize this is just another teaching technique she uses to demand total attention from her kids. (In fact, when Lance reads a storybook, her "six-inch" voice grows much bigger and very animated.)

This 27-year teaching veteran has incredible classroom control and a relentless "Never give up on a kid or a parent" attitude. It's exactly that combination that helped earn her this year's "Teacher of the Year" designation from the state Board of Regents.

In May, she'll go to Washington D.C. to meet other state-honored teachers and receive a certificate from President Clinton. Lance also will be recognized at New York State United Teachers' annual convention in New York City April 6-8.

"She's an inspirational teacher who encourages parents to be full partners in their children's education," said NYSUT President Tom Hobart. "She's also served as a mentor for countless colleagues."

Lance, who co-teaches 50 students in a combined first- and second-grade inclusion class, was singled out for her effectiveness both inside and outside the classroom.

Inside the multi-age classroom, she was lauded for setting high expectations and her knack at helping special needs children succeed.

That, she says, is possible only because the district provides adequate staffing support, including a co-teacher, a special education teacher and a teaching assistant. (She loves to stump visitors by asking if they can pick out the 14 kids with learning disabilities.)

Accentuate the positive

Extending her role as "teacher," Lance works hard to get parents on board - with lots of personal communication and assignments that encourage parental involvement.

Many parents assume the worst when a teacher calls. If Marilyn Lance is calling, they don't think it is unusual. She uses a few minutes each day to call parents on a regular basis. She starts the school year calling each parent to personally invite them to open house night. Throughout the year, she makes frequent one- or two-minute phone calls just to keep the lines of communication open. Since most parents and caregivers work outside the home, she often gets answering machines and leaves a brief message letting parents hear something positive about their child.

She has a set of ready-to-go note cards, on which she dashes off "I'm proud of you" messages to kids. Every day, she takes a few seconds to write at least one or two personalized notes, mentioning something they did in class. "I liked the way you were in bus line today," she'll write. Or "You worked very hard on that journal entry ..." Over the years, she's learned these quick notes often become treasured mementoes in her students' scrapbooks. Lance also makes sure to keep a loaded camera handy: Parents and kids are thrilled when she sends home a photo from class.

"We can't forget positive feedback," Lance said. "This not only opens the lines of communication - the kids thrive on it. And it builds an alliance between teachers and parents based on trust."

Parents as partners

Lance plans a variety of activities to keep parents in the loop: guest readers, field trips, or inviting the parent who's a chemist to come in and do some "science magic."

She's found evening parent/child activities to be popular, such as "make and take activities" where families make board games to play at home. The students also enjoy taking turns bringing home themed "backpack" activities.

"Many of the parents are really crying out for support," Lance said. "But we must be careful to approach them as equals, not in a way that is intimidating or preachy."

At the open house, she tells them she knows how busy and stressful their lives are and suggests simple ways to make everyday activities more educational. Her open house packet suggests having kids help prepare shopping lists, follow a recipe or order dinner for themselves in a restaurant. When parents and children are in the car, Lance suggests turning off the radio and talking about anything - the weather, the parts of the dashboard, or opinions on a movie you saw.

Every Monday, Lance sends home a one-page "News for You" update which includes classroom news, upcoming events and some friendly reminders of parenting skills that promote learning and instill responsibility.

She once considered dropping the newsletter because she wasn't sure people were reading it. But in a survey of parents last year, the newsletter was overwhelmingly ranked as the favorite feature of the classroom.

Lance's cluttered desk has a bin bursting with cartoons, fliers and magazine articles she's clipped to give out to parents, offering everything from homework tips to inspirational poems.

"I try to send home stuff a couple of times a week," she said, pointing to the kids' mailbox area, aptly dubbed "Communication Central."

Of course, it's not always that simple, Lance admits. "Sure, there are those parents who have a very negative feeling about school," she said. "I just keep calling and calling and trying to break through. Some of my greatest turn-around stories don't just involve kids - it's their parents, too."

- Sylvia Saunders