Mr. Jeffrey Vogus at his desk in his classroom at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
By DELANEY RONK | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — The man. The myth. The legend. Jeffrey Vogus, Mount Union Area Senior High School chemistry teacher, is being recognized in November’s Staff Spotlight for his outstanding contributions and decades of dedication to students and the community.
Mr. Vogus began teaching in the district in 1987, starting with Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, and Related Chemistry. Two years later, he added Physics to his course load, and over time he developed Accelerated Chemistry and AP Chemistry. Although his enthusiasm for teaching is clear, education was not his original plan. After high school, he intended to pursue chemical engineering. It wasn’t until his junior year of college when he realized that he wanted his legacy to be people-oriented. “I didn’t want my legacy to be the guy who made a better shampoo,” he said.
His journey to Mount Union came about unexpectedly. After completing his student teaching in Indiana, he returned to Pennsylvania in January. While waiting for “the winter to thaw” and for teaching positions to open, he took on odd jobs until an old friend reached out with news of an opportunity. However, before he ever stepped into the classroom, Mr. Vogus went through experiences in his childhood that helped influence the kind of teacher he is today.
A pivotal moment that shaped Mr. Vogus occurred much earlier in his life. When he was fourteen, his father passed away unexpectedly. The loss happened suddenly and occurred around the time of high school baseball sign-ups, causing him to miss tryouts. Soon after, head baseball coach Harry Miller pulled him out of class and asked him to try out anyway. Mr. Vogus admits he was an athlete with raw talent but little skill, yet Coach Miller saw potential and more importantly, a young man who needed guidance. Despite the criticism Coach Miller faced for keeping him on the team when better players had been cut, Mr. Miller’s compassion left a lasting impact on Mr. Vogus’s life. “He kept me because he knew there was a kid who needed help,” Mr. Vogus said.
That experience helped shape his approach to teaching. When asked what he enjoys most about the profession—besides his planning period—he immediately answered, “The human interaction.” He enjoys being part of his students’ journeys, helping them realize their potential and guiding them toward their goals. His motivation to keep teaching stems from his love for learning and the fact that each year brings new students, new challenges, and new opportunities. “I want every kid to leave Mount Union High School having been challenged,” he commented.
His passion for helping students has led to many meaningful moments, but one experience in particular has stayed with him. It involved a student who had recently lost his father. The student’s mother reached out, knowing Mr. Vogus had faced a similar loss. “I was a shelter in a time of storm for him,” he shared. “I knew exactly what he was going through.” Connections, shared experiences, compassion, and humanity are what define Mr. Vogus’s teaching.
Outside the classroom, Mr. Vogus has made other lasting impacts at Mount Union. He served as an assistant baseball coach for eighteen years (1988–2004), working alongside head coach Nick Imperioli. Together, they led the team to three state championships. He also leads PowerSource, a student-involved Christian group at the high school.
These experiences have influenced him in many ways. Mr. Vogus has learned valuable lessons throughout his career. Some of the most important ones came from his time on the baseball field, and they have carried into his classroom as life principles. “Set a lofty goal and work your tail off to reach it. Outwork the next guy. Mount Union baseball didn’t win because we had the most talent; we won because we worked harder than everyone else,” he said.
His impact continues long after students leave his classroom. Mr. Vogus says, “There’s nothing better than looking out and seeing former students succeeding in their chosen paths.” His faith has been central to his life and career, and he hopes that he has been able to guide others toward Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” —Colossians 3:23.
To close, Mr. Vogus offered heartfelt advice to both new and veteran teachers: “Teachers sometimes lose sight of why they began teaching in the first place. If we could all just be reminded of that at least three times a year, it would make a difference. None of us do this for the paycheck or the summers off. We do it because we want to touch students’ lives. Savor each day, the good and the bad, because they all matter.”
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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