Carla Yngve was recently named Indian River High School’s Teacher of the Year.
Carla Yngve
Yngve (pronounced Ing-vee) teaches ELL or English for Language Learners, formerly known as ESL or English as a Second Language, for students in grades 9-12.
“It’s really exciting!” exclaimed Yngve. “It’s quite an accomplishment and a high point of your career really. Especially to read or hear what your students and fellow teachers wrote about you.”
In order to be chosen as Teacher of the Year, a teacher has to be nominated by a student, parent or fellow teacher. Through the nomination and observation, a committee picks the winner.
Yngve, a native Delawarean, was born and raised in Dewey Beach. After college, she returned to the area and taught for two years at Delmar High School before starting at IRHS. She taught Spanish for nine years, and this is her fifth year teaching ELL. She has a bachelor degree’s in Spanish with a history minor and a master’s degree in elementary education. She holds three teaching certificates: one in elementary education for grades 1-8; one in Spanish, kindergarten through 12th grade; and one in ESL for grades 1-12.
In addition to teaching, Yngve is part of the PBS (Positive Behavior Support) Team/Connections to Learning; the School Leadership Team; and the Middle States Committee; and is chairwoman of the Foreign Language Department. She also hosts a morning program she started last year, geared toward ELL students, to give them extra help on homework. It has evolved and is now open to all students.
Last year, she and Mr. Easter, a Spanish teacher, founded Los Latinos Unidos, a club of about 69 Hispanic students that serves as a resource for the growing Hispanic student population.
“We have monthly speaker,” she explained. “We have had police officers, successful business people, representatives from places like La Red to talk about current issues. The kids really seem to like it.”
Originally, Yngve thought she would be an international lawyer, but after studying abroad in areas such as Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica, she changed her mind.
“People would always tell me, ‘You’re going to be a teacher, because I would always tutor as a high school student. But, like a typical teen, I said, ‘No, I’m not.’ Look at me now!” Yngve added with a laugh.
“It’s the best decision I ever made,” continued Yngve. “I love it. It doesn’t feel like work. I learn as much from the students as they do from me.”
Each of the 15 schools in the district name a Teacher of the Year, who then goes on to vie for Indian River School District Teacher of the Year. This year, Mike Lingenfelter of Selbyville Middle School, who was profiled in the April 18 issue of the Coastal Point, was named Indian River School District Teacher of the Year. He is now eligible for statewide Teacher of the Year honors.