Veteran special education teacher retires from Pinckneyville High School

Joey Vancil completed his 30th and retirement year as a special-education teacher at PCHS in a similarly unique fashion as his students.

He taught remotely from home, provided packets of written material for his caseload of students primarily in science and math classes, and stayed in touch with students as he had throughout his career.

Remote learning presented challenges to the veteran educator's flexibility as he noted that the changes in resources, especially in the use of technology, was a major difference between the 1990 beginning and the 2020 ending of his career.

Vancil noted that students really haven't changed in 30 years. "Every kid is different," he says, adding his job always was to help students "see improvement and become lifelong learners."

For his future, the Du Quoin native said he looks forward to spending time with his wife, Stacey, and "managing the property" as an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

Vancil also has realized that "retraining his mind" will take some time. Like many longtime teachers, he spent much of his time thinking about teaching and connecting his own life experiences to create teachable moments for his students.

"That will be different without having specific students and classes to share with," he said.

Members of the Special Education Department who wished him well also indicated their hope that Vancil will put his name on the substitute teaching list, that he could continue his teaching career as he started before being hired at PCHS, working as a substitute teacher when he first earned his degree.