- April 28, 2024
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James Vollinger loves working with kids. He loves sports, and he loves working outdoors.
So when he decided to become a teacher, coaching students in physical education was his field of choice.
And now, he's not only retiring after his 30th year of teaching, but he was also named Pine Trail Elementary's Teacher of the Year.
"I am not a person that seeks recognition," Vollinger said in a statement to the Observer. "However, hearing so many nice things from so many people feels real nice."
Many people he hadn't heard from in years reached out to him, which added was a cool addition to the recognition.
Vollinger was inspired to become an educator thanks to a friend named Dex Steenhoff. The pair worked together at a community college in South Florida and when Steenhoff went on to get a degree to become a teacher, and encouraged Vollinger to do the same, Vollinger decided to do so. He already had a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management, and he went back to Florida International University for his bachelor's in physical education.
In his 30 years of teaching, Vollinger said, he has met many amazing people along the way, two of whom being Ed and Jim Peterson. Vollinger interned with Ed Peterson and worked with Jim Peterson at Cutler Ridge Elementary School for five years in South Florida.
"I learned so much from those fellas," he said. "I cannot thank them enough."
Vollinger's favorite thing about teaching is working with the kids and seeing their faces when they accomplish new things. As a self-described kid at heart, he loves hearing their laughter and squeals during activities, he added.
"What I will take away from being a teacher in general is that teachers do make a difference," Vollinger said. "Many kids have a difficult background and challenging home life. School offers safety, stability and people that really do care about them. Teachers matter."
If he could share one piece of wisdom with his students, it would be that they should never be satisfied with being "good enough," he said.
"They are capable of much more," Vollinger said. "I believe everyone has something “amazing” in them. Some gift, some talent. They need to figure out what that something is and get after it. Don’t quit."
Vollinger may be retiring from teaching, but he still plans to work for some time. When he fully retires, he said, he and his family plan to buy a motor home and take a "lap" around the U.S.
