From the city of Dallas to the halls of Redwood, Ruben Vance-Conner, known to students as Mr. VC, brings new energy and ideas to campus. VC teaches both Government and Advanced Placement World History. Although it is not even a semester into the school year, VC has already contributed to and impacted Redwood greatly by sharing a fresh perspective and building strong relationships with students and others, all while providing an engaging and inclusive learning environment.
Born and raised by a family of educators, VC had always been inspired and eager to work in an academic setting from an early age. He attended Christopher Newport University in Virginia, where he got his bachelor’s degree.
“From there, I didn’t want to stay in Virginia. I wanted a big change, and I got a job offer in the Bay Area, [so] I said why not. I was 22, and I started working at a children’s museum called the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito,” VC said.
Once VC arrived in California, he realized how much he loved the change of pace, scenery, weather and “all the good vibes [he] was going for.”
“What drew me to work at the high school level was the ability to have deeper conversations and dive deeper into the content,” VC said.
Senior Eden Davis, a student in VC’s Government class, appreciates VC’s effort towards students.
“Mr. VC genuinely cares about his students and wants to help them, wanting them to do the best they can. He is super caring and very approachable, making everyone feel included,” Davis said.
Davis emphasized how authentic VC is.
“[VC] truly wants you to understand, so he’ll spend extra time explaining to you. [VC also] allows students to take the lead, share our ideas and teach the class, too,” Davis said.
VC stresses the intention behind his teaching strategies, like how he engages and connects with students.
“I make it a point to stay informed with new teaching or instructional strategies, or ways to connect with students to build those positive relationships,” VC said.
He loves the success he feels when students bridge concepts from class to the real world, which he says is “what makes teaching so fun.”
“I’m a big believer in not standing behind my desk. I love to move around, I love to work with my students and sit near [them]. I’m always on my feet, and I hope that keeps the engagement up,” VC said.
VC reflected on the importance of a balanced learning environment.
“There are always opportunities where we can learn different content and lessons, but we’re also able to have fun, which I feel is important, especially in school. Sometimes we play games, spend time asking about how our weekend was and have moments and times where we casually get to know each other and build community,” VC said.
VC also shared more about his efforts to create strong connections with his students.
“At the end of the day, yes, they are my students, but they have a whole other life outside of my classroom, and just knowing and understanding that [is so important.] I make it my point to find out more about them. If I know that they had a game, it’s important to check in on that, and keep myself knowledgeable about teaching strategies to help relationships with my students,” VC said.
Davis captured VC’s character in a few words.
“[VC is] positive and bright because he is such a nice and funny person, and is just great to be around,” Davis said.
VC strives to see his teaching through his students’ eyes.
“I try to put myself in my students’ shoes, and [ask], if I were sitting at their desk, would I find this engaging enough. That’s how I approach all of my lessons, and the curriculum itself. Is it engaging? Would I find it engaging, and if not, what can I do to change it?” VC said.
VC has one message he wants all students, past, present and future, to remember:
“Don’t be afraid to learn new things. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner; I tell my students all the time, ‘Yes, I am a teacher and I love teaching you all new things, but I am also learning just as much as you all are.’ [Learning] shouldn’t end after high school, after college or wherever you think it should end, so be that lifelong learner,” VC said.
