Charles (Chuck) Boucher
Burrillville High School
Harrisville, RI

"I see my classroom as a portal to discovery, a place where students are encouraged to dream great dreams."

"Our boys are just two examples of what Chuck Boucher's tireless efforts and commitment have done for students at BHS. In his persistence in being the best educator he can be, he demands excellence from his students. He pushes them to be the best that they can be, and in doing so instills confidence and self esteem beyond comparison."

Imagine in high school attending surgical procedures or working with doctors from Brown University on cadaver studies, constructing an ergonomic devise to assist a student in the school, creating animation or designing an eighteen foot float for the US Postal Service for a parade. These are but a few of things happening in Chuck's classes. Each unit concludes with students interacting with professionals from neurosurgeons to NASA engineers to the creator of Popeye to heighten enthusiasm and reinforce relevance. Chuck's approach to teaching is to utilize a variety of teaching styles in a dynamic environment that encourages questions and interaction. Mastery not mystery forms the basis of his teaching. In mastery learning, he strives to make expectations abundantly clear and then provide students with all the information, activities and support they need to not only understand the subject matter but also be able to apply it to a real problem and resolve it.

Other Highlights:

• Creation of a Culinary Arts and Arts and Entertainment Academies, 2001-02
• State of Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, 2003
• USA Today Top Teaching Team, 2003
• Burrillville School District Teacher of the Year, 2003
• Radio Shack National Science and Technology Award, 2001-02
• Wrote a grant to bring a $30,000 solar lab to the High School for the Power & Energy offering
• The Learning Channel does a feature on the Bio Tech class, 1995-96
• Feature Presenter at NEA National Conference on Making Learning Relevant, 1996
• Published article in NEA Today magazine, "Developing New Initiatives and Making learning Relevant"
• Other interests include Big Brother Program, Raising a happy family, Instructor/Coach of Basketball, Ice Hockey, Baseball, and Archery