In 2004, Vaughn Gross boarded a bus with friends, expecting a fun day trip. She did not know that her husband secretly planned a surprise honoring her lifelong dedication to education. As the bus arrived at UT’s College of Education, friends congratulated Gross with the news that a center would bear her name — the Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts.
Gross, a ‘67 UT graduate in education, spent most of her career teaching and supporting education through fundraising, philanthropy and mentorship. Recently, The Meadows Center, which houses the Vaughn Gross Center, honored her legacy by naming Gross their first “Educator Icon.” Robert Rain, the Meadows Center’s project coordinator, said Gross was one of the first nominees considered for the distinction.
“She was a teacher, she was a school administrator — she’s got so many years in education, she also understands what it’s like to have boots on the ground,” Rain said. “She has some pretty strong opinions about (education), so we wanted to give her an opportunity to be seen and to be heard.”
The Meadows Center implements research-driven educational strategies in schools, with the Vaughn Gross Center focusing specifically on literacy and reading initiatives. Gross said she loves the center’s focus on constantly improving.
“It changes because (of) new strategies. We learn more, and then they put it into practice, and go back and retrain all the teachers,” Gross said. “That makes me proud to have my name associated with something that’s ever-growing, evolving and making a difference.”
Gross said her passion for education is deeply personal, sparked by her experience growing up with a younger brother who had Down syndrome.
“(I) wanted to know more about special (education), and I think that as a teacher, you have to have a heart and servant attitude,” Gross said. “You want to serve, you want to help, you want to make the world better. It’s that kind of feeling that I had, so I felt that maybe I could make a difference in that field.”
In addition to her educational work, Gross mentors UT students through the Educational Opportunities Scholarship program. Briana Lozano, a psychology freshman and one of Gross’ mentees this year, said that Gross goes above her role as a mentor.
“I think she deserves (the award),”Lozano said. “With just a short amount of time that I’ve known her, she really has changed my life and … there’s no other word to describe her, except for loving and welcoming.”
Despite her many achievements and qualifications, Gross said the recognition should extend to other educators.
“I was honored and flattered, but … (other teachers) are the unsung heroes of my success,” Gross said. “It isn’t me. It’s the people I surrounded myself with — they deserve the honor. It’s really because of them that I received this honor.”
