His Story
Warren Phillips has taught seventh-grade science at Plymouth Community Intermediate School since 1975. He was inspired by two middle school teachers who “had fun every day while teaching” and by the film To Sir, With Love, and he set out to recreate their happy, creative classroom. His room opens with music playing and a table of science toys, and he greets every student by name.
His lessons mix labs and field trips with humor, storytelling, games, movement, art and technology. He has written science songs for each unit, recorded on three Sing A Long Science CDs, and he co-teaches brain-based teaching workshops with author Marcia Tate. His principal of about twenty years recalls that his team of six was known as the “Warren Phillips Team” even though it had five other fine teachers.
Five years ago he was asked to teach the district’s program for gifted students. He turned it into HOWL, a course in which students act as “a visible force changing the climate” of the school, community and world. HOWL students started Plymouth’s first recycling program, which spread to all thirteen district schools, run weekly TV shows for the local education channel, and teach classes themselves, from gardening with special-needs classes to leading school-wide drives for the Heifer Project.
Beyond the Classroom
Twenty-five years ago Phillips started CLASS, a three-day overnight environmental field trip to Camp Bournedale that now serves every seventh grader in town, with a scholarship fund so that no one is left behind. More than 15,000 students have gone. He also runs a garden club and the Project Teamwork after-school service group.
His HOWL students hold a “Haunted Hallways” fundraiser that raised more than $2,600 in two hours, and a Thank-A-Teacher Thon that raised $2,000 for eight creative teaching scholarships. A National Board Certified Teacher and certified mentor, Phillips has presented at state (MAST) and national (NSTA) conferences, written curriculum for the district, and is working with Marcia Tate on a science book. His many honors include the Time/General Motors Teacher of the Year (2002), the Disney Middle School Teacher of the Year (2004), and recognition from USA Today, Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
Philosophy Into Practice
Phillips defines the best teacher-student relationship as mutual respect and shared responsibility. He tells his HOWL students that he will lead the first half of the year and they will lead him in the second half. A good service project, he says, benefits both the people served and the students doing the serving.
He is just as proud of his former students: several have become teachers, at least five teach middle school science, and one is now his principal.
“How can we learn from each other’s strengths and work collaboratively to improve the environment in the school, the community, and the world?”— The challenge posted at the front of Phillips’s classroom
In His Own Words
“I do not teach technology – we use technology.”— Warren Phillips
“Each class provides another opportunity to improve instruction!”— Warren Phillips
“The most productive relationship between teachers and students is mutual respect and shared responsibility in creating a positive school community.”— Warren Phillips
What Others Said
“Warren Phillips is the most dynamic teacher I have ever met.”— Jacie Fitzpatrick, nominator
“The best and brightest teacher with whom I have ever had the joy of working.”— Lyman Goding, retired principal
“He captures both the hearts and minds of his students.”— Nicola Micozzi Jr., District Science Coordinator
“Mr. Phillips inspired me not only to be a better student, but a better person.”— Former student
“He is a highly gifted, talented and brilliant human being.”— Colleague, Plymouth Community Intermediate School