10 things we love about Mr. Vancas:

• Your willingness to help others
• Your positive and approving attitude
• Your humor
• Your resourcefulness
• Your enthusiasm towards students and teaching
• Your high levels of patience
• Your kind heart
• Your dedication to metal working
• Your love of poodles
• Your forearms of steel

EE: What inspired you to become a teacher?

EV: When I took my first shop class in 9th grade, I absolutely LOVED it. At that point, my dad told me maybe I should think about becoming a shop teacher. The rest is history from there, as they say.

EE: How long have you been teaching?

EV: 36 years.

EE: Have you always taught at Tyrone? If not, where else?

EV: Yes. I graduated from Penn State in May 1980, and started teaching at Tyrone in August of 1980.

EE: What is your favorite memory as a teacher?

EV: Every time I see a student that has graduated and they are working in the manufacturing field or another related field. Also, when I see former students and they tell me how proud they are of the projects they made in class and still have them many years later.

EE: If you weren’t teaching right now, what do you think you would have done with your life?

EV: Working in the manufacturing or construction field. 

EE: Where did you attend high school?

EV: Moshannon Valley.

EE: Where did you attend college?

EV: Penn State University.

EE: What’s your favorite book?

EV: The Machinist’s Handbook.

EE: What is your favorite sport and sports team?

EV: Baseball and Basketball; Pittsburgh Pirates.