Volusia County teacher of the week Lisa Bynum
January 24th, 2008, 4:09 am Hobby Shops
Reason for teaching: I don’t have one reason. Teaching was not what I had thought I would be doing as a career. While in college, I wanted to become a veterinarian or a bloodstock agent for the thoroughbred racing industry. When those plans did not pan out as I thought, one of my professors mentioned that he thought I would be good at teaching, so I gave it a shot. I found out that I was pretty good at it. Greatest moment as a teacher: I have so many that it is hard to pick just one, but probably the one that stands out the most was about nine years ago, when I was one of the top 10 finalists in the Jimmy Dean/True Value Country Showdown. This was a country-music singing contest where the winners went on for a recording contract. One of my students had heard me singing while I was grooming my horse (I didn’t know anyone was around) and he told me about this contest and suggested that I send in a tape. So I did, and then next thing I knew I was hearing myself on the radio. When I went to the finals in Daytona Beach and Orlando, I was truly amazed, shocked, honored — you name it — to walk out on stage, look out into the crowd and see literally several hundred of my current students, past students, teachers, parents and even my principal cheering me on. All of them had signs and were screaming and yelling. Although I didn’t win, they sure made me feel like a star. I sure had the biggest group of fans that night, no doubt. Most embarrassing moment: When I was at the national convention with 10 of my FFA students, they talked me into being hypnotized on stage in front of 750 people. Well, I didn’t believe I got hypnotized until I saw the video. I acted like I was the drummer for the Beatles. Then I put my shoe to my face like it was a gas mask. I also acted like a doctor delivering babies. I wasn’t embarrassed until one of the students brought the video and showed it to my class. Oh, I am very careful about getting hypnotized now. Person you admire most and why? I actually admire two individuals, Don LeFils, who recently passed away, and his wife, Pam LeFils. I met them my first year teaching, and they took me under their wing. They are family to me. Mr. LeFils was in a wheelchair as a result of a horse-riding accident about 30 years ago. His wife, Pam, stood by his side without wavering. They had one son of their own, and even after his accident, they chose to adopt two more children. All their children are now successful adults. When I want to complain about something minor or I don’t feel well, I feel ashamed of myself for being that way. And then I think about the LeFils family. I only hope that I have a fraction of the qualities that they have. They are all such special, strong unconditional-loving individuals. Favorite movies: Black Beauty and The Black Stallion Last book you read: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Hobbies: I like to jog and work out at the gym. I have to have a personal trainer to stay focused. My main hobby and passion in my life are my horses. I have four horses. I show three of them. Two are former race horses and the other is an Appendix quarter horse. I am lucky to be able to keep them at home, and lucky that my husband is supportive about this hobby. It is very time-consuming, and it can get very expensive. If you weren’t a teacher, what career would you choose and why? If I were not a teacher, I would want to work at SeaWorld in its education department. If that didn’t work out, then honestly, I have always wanted to be a reporter for the news, in either education or agriculture. Who knows, maybe RFD-TV, a 24-hour television network dedicated to rural America and agriculture, will want to hire me, or Animal Planet, to be the host of a show. How cool would that be? I cannot lie; I don’t mind being in the spotlight. Was there a special teacher that you remember? There are many, but one of my favorites was Mrs. Harrison. She was an English teacher and creative-writing teacher at Sylva Webster High School in Sylva, N.C. She was always such a cheerful lady and made writing fun. The coolest thing was that two years ago when I went back up to my high school reunion, she was there, and she looked the same to me. I hope that 20 years from now, my students don’t think my looks change either. Lisa Bynum was nominated by colleague Steven Shewey. Volusia public- and private-school teachers will be profiled throughout the year. E-mail Eileen Marie Simoneau at vteachspot@mac.com or call her at 386-561-7356 or fax 386-851-7918. Include your name, phone number and a reason why you would like to see this teacher profiled. PHOTO: Heritage Middle School teacher Lisa Bynum, at home in Lake Helen with 2 of her 4 horses, Prospecto Bello (left) and Getting Famous, also has a dog, a cat and pigeons. EILEEN MARIE SIMONEAU/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
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