Dawn Voyer '98

By Emily Groff

Ever since she was a little girl, Dawn Voyer has enjoyed teaching. “I was always kind of the student teacher of the class, even when I was in elementary school,” she told a local newspaper. At Trinity, Voyer took history and political science courses, and also was able to complete the requirements for her teacher certification.

After graduation, Voyer started her teaching career at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, just down the street from Trinity. To-day, Voyer teaches world history and geography to sixth and seventh graders at Cypress Lake Middle School in Fort Myers, Florida, where she has taught since 2004. She says, “My room is always buzzing with activity and noise. It is important to note that this is good noise. Students are questioning one another, hypothesizing, and analyzing information.”

“My class is one in which students discover and explore, rather than read and take notes. When studying ancient Greece, my students reenacted the trial of Socrates, built temples out of marshmallows and straws, and held an assembly meeting to debate political issues. During our study of the Islamic world, students traded at a bazaar, visited a Bedouin tent, and read a Muslim boy’s journal.”

These projects aren’t just fun; they teach students important information in a way that is relevant to them. In her classroom, Voyer constantly returns to her motto, “So why should I care?” to remind students why geography and history are significant. She adds, “Students need to know that what they’re learning has relevance and meaning in their lives. I must constantly make connections between the curriculum and the lives of my students.”

While many teachers incorporate fun projects into their curriculum, Voyer takes things a step further—her whole teaching process is interactive. At the end of each quarter, her students submit suggestions for improvement. She then takes one of those suggestions during the next quarter. She says, “When I have a problem that needs a solution, I ask my students for help. They always amaze me with their unique suggestions that actually make sense.”

In 2008, Voyer won a Golden Apple from the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program in Lee County for her innovative teaching style. Regarding the award, she told the paper, “Even though I’ve been teaching for 10 years, I still feel like a new teacher who is learning.” Voyer may feel like a new teacher, but it’s clear that her passion and unique teaching style are all the experience she needs to create an amazing classroom atmosphere.