Phylis Trenhaile says it best, “History isn’t something we can change but it is something we can learn from.”
Trenhaile has been a teacher at Wayne Elementary for over 30 years, currently teaching fifth grade with an emphasis in Social Studies. She also shares her teaching talents with Wayne State College (WSC) students.
On Oct. 23, 52 WSC students walked the leaf covered paths at the Greenwood Cemetery right before dusk. Trenhaile led the students on an expedition to identify various veterans of the military from the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) to Iraq War (2003-2011). This was part of their current college class; “Development of Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School.”
The bronze markers can identify war veterans. Bronze markers are provided to each family of deceased veterans to signify the war they served in during their time in the military.
Throughout the tour, students separated into groups gathering information about many veterans. They were also able to tour the Veterans Memorial, located in the cemetery, that is dedicated to veterans of all branches of the military.
In May, Trenhaile will repeat the lesson in history on the U.S. wars. Wayne Elementary fifth grade students will be able to also visit the cemetery to learn not only U.S. history, but Wayne County veteran history prior to Memorial Day.
Trenhaile believes that a teacher is a facilitator of learning, and it starts with the classroom teacher. Taking the college students out to the cemetery is her way of having her students experience an example of learning and seeing the importance of local history.
Ellie Patera, WSC junior majoring in Elementary Education with an endorsement in reading and writing shared her experience, “Mrs. Trenhaile has provided us with a multitude of resources and activities that she has used with her students to ensure our success in the future. Education can be a difficult job some days, but as an aspiring educator it is empowering to see how passionate Mrs. Trenhaile is about her calling to be a teacher.”
In 2011 Trenhaile received the Wayne Area Economic Chamber Educator of the Year. She deserved this honor. She models fairness, honesty, integrity, community, and compassion for others in and out of the classroom.
She describes her classroom as "a mistake making place and a safe environment." She teaches problem solving skills and how to turn mistakes into learning opportunities. This lines up with her philosophy of why learning history is very important.
Trenhaile attributes a lot of her love for U.S. History to former Wayne Middle School Principal Richard Metteer. Having worked with Metteer in the past on History projects, his love of history transformed her to be the amazing teacher she is today.
In 2003 Metteer received the Wayne Kiwanis Club Retired Teacher of the Year. During the same year, Trenhaile had the Civil War come alive in her classroom by having her students re-enact the conflicts between the North and the South. During the Civil War lessons, Metteer visited Trenahile’s classroom and taught the students how to march as soldiers and shared his love for military history.
Trenhaile’s hope for her students is that they will become independent learners, develop a love of their country, respect for those who have walked before us and continue to have a desire to learn.
She hopes they will be confident in themselves, as well as their learning abilities. She believes having these skills will help them to become productive adults, good citizens, and be prepared to shape our country’s future.
