Henrico's Top Teachers – Derek Phipps, Tuckahoe Middle School, drama

His early career path may have been a winding one – but after two decades of teaching, Derek Phipps believes he is right where he belongs.

A theatre major in college, Phipps spent his first 15 years after graduation as a professional actor, "going from gig to gig" wherever he could find one.

While in his fifth year working at a dinner theater in Colorado, however, he found himself yearning for a more “normal“ life. Having grown up with educators for parents, he set his sights on teaching, and moved to his brother's hometown of Richmond.

Thanks to Richmond's thriving theatre scene, Phipps was able to find work while studying for his teaching license. Two years later, he dropped anchor at Tuckahoe Middle School – and considers himself fortunate to have landed there.

"The support I receive here is outstanding," he says. "The community is incredibly involved and helps us continually elevate our drama program."

Phipps also thoroughly enjoys his students, adding that he is lucky to be able to know them "at this really cool age."

Teachers like Phipps who profess to liking the company of middle-schoolers are often met with astonishment, or even skepticism. And he is the first to admit that adolescence is a "tumultuous" time.

"But it’s a time when we start to figure out who we are," he says. Watching kids take those first tentative steps toward adulthood can be nerve-wracking – as well as highly gratifying.

"And then I get to view from the sidelines as they enter high school and begin to soar even higher," he adds.  "Pretty cool."

Phipps is not the only one, however, who appreciates his affiliation with TMS and his connection with students. Members of the Tuckahoe community also consider themselves fortunate to have him there.

A fan who nominated Phipps for "Yay of the Day" – a recognition program for employees of Henrico schools – commended him for his efforts to broaden his students' horizons and introduce them to top-notch theatre experiences.

For 10 years, Phipps has taken a group of eighth-graders to New York City to see Broadway shows and attend workshops led by Broadway actors. Seeing normally self-conscious teens come alive with the help of the actors, shed their inhibitions, and plunge whole-heartedly into impromptu dance routines in front of their classmates was "heartwarming and inspiring," wrote the nominator. "They got out of their comfort zones and made lasting memories.”

Many of Phipps' own favorite memories revolve around student performances, as well.

Watching the curtains part on opening nights and seeing his students "rock the stage," he says, makes all the time and energy that goes into rehearsing worthwhile.

"I am always blown away by their commitment to the show.  They never disappoint,"  Phipps says, adding, "They make me look like I know what I’m doing. . . Shhhhhh, don't tell anybody."

But the rewards of teaching are not just about performances, he contends; he also enjoys seeing students grow and learn in class – perhaps even discovering a lifelong passion.

One of Phipps' favorite parts of teaching theatre arts is the filmmaking unit. Viewing students' films (which are shown at an annual spring festival) and seeing how proud they are of their work is "definitely the most rewarding part" of his job, he says.

"They come up with some of the most amazing films. The resources are limited, but their imaginations help them create absolute magic with a camera."

He expects that some of his students are talented enough to go on to success in film or on stage. And yes, certainly it's fun to watch them develop, and to see them head off toward their bright futures.

But even the students who never pursue theatre after middle school, Phipps believes, still benefit from the experience in some way – whether it sparks their creativity or simply broadens their perspective.

If nothing else, he likes to think that exposure to drama will enrich all his students' lives – by inspiring them to "view the world in a slightly different, hopefully positive way."