by Felicia LeDuff Harry

Walking into Gary Phillips's classroom at Vandebilt Catholic High School is no ordinary venture into educational territory. And a conversation with Gary reveals that he’s far from being an ordinary American history teacher as well.

His father served in the Navy during World War II and in Korea, and his grandfather served in World War I as a Marine. The educator says he comes from a long line of military men. The first Phillips who came to Louisiana joined Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans.

Gary is starting his 10th year of teaching American history at Vandebilt. He also teaches one section of photography. Before joining the school’s staff, he worked for more than 20 years at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, where he retired as principal in 2000.

Gary’s love for history shows in the things he has collected and displayed in his classroom through the years. His walls are lined with military uniforms, pictures and war memorabilia. These treasures include authentic German uniforms from World War II, photographs, canteens, figurines and medals.

Mess kits decorate the shelves, along with a collection of military helmets and G.I. Joe figures. A poster announcing a Glen Campbell concert and others featuring Elvis Presley and the Beatles hang in the classroom. There’s also a picture of President John F. Kennedy holding his daughter, Caroline.

Gary recently became the recipient of a large collection of German war items he acquired from a man in New Jersey. These souvenirs include a prisoner’s uniform from the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau and at least one document signed by Adolf Hitler. The collection also contains various weapons such as rifles, bayonets, swords, daggers and knives.

Though he never served in the armed forces, Gary says he “loves the military” and is making a living doing what he loves to do. This involves talking about the American experience — not just the wars, but about the big picture that includes cultural changes brought about by events like the Civil Rights Movement or the Women’s Movement.

His oldest brother, Steve, served three years in the Army during the Vietnam War, and his uniform now proudly hangs among the others in the room. Some of the G.I. Joes came from another brother, David, who owns approximately 400 of the action figures; others were given to him as gifts.

“I’m not a recruiter,” Gary says. “I’m not trying to urge or glorify war; I just love these things as mementos.”

He says his approach to teaching is to make sure his students understand the spirit of what was going on in America at specific times without worrying so much about dates.

He often attends class dressed in one of the many uniforms he owns to help his students relate to events. He may pose as a “Doughboy” from World War I, or don a bright yellow leisure suit to teach about disco music and the mood of the ‘70s.

Gary’s unique teaching style has not gone unnoticed or unrewarded.
He was recently named a “distinguished educator” by the United States Department of Education, an honor bestowed on 130 teachers annually. Charles Gyer, a recent Vandebilt graduate, nominated him for the honor. Charles was recognized as a Presidential Scholar because of his SAT scores and his perfect ACT score.

They were invited to Washington, D.C., this summer to accept these honors. Charles met Vice President Joe Biden in the White House, and Gary met Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He was also introduced to educational resources at the Library of Congress.

Gary’s love for American history doesn’t end with his classroom activities. He moderates Vandebilt’s Quiz Bowl team and serves as the school’s chairman of the social studies department.

In the community, he has served as a guest speaker for numerous
organizations and presented workshops around the state on American history. He also shares his knowledge by editing a local newsletter for the World War II Roundtable Discussion Group, which involves interviewing local veterans. This also gives him an opportunity to round up a few more of those military uniforms.

A veteran of the Women’s Army Corps recently donated her uniform, complete with a hat, to Gary’s growing collection. It will soon be placed on a mannequin in his classroom to greet students as they embark on a unique historical journey. PoV

Gary Phillips has a knack for breathing life into history. He’s also one of the best at doing it. Here are a few of the honors he’s been recognized for:

2009 Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Louisiana State Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Inspirational Teacher Award by Nicholls State University

2007 Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women

One of 13 “Teachers of Excellence” in 2006 by the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese