To those who knew her best, Vickie Shaffner was more than a skilled educator and respected leader- she was a fierce advocate, a mentor, and a steady friend whose influence reached far beyond her classroom. A lifelong educator and dedicated member of the Appoquinimink Education Association, Vickie’s commitment to fairness, professionalism, and compassion left an enduring mark on her students and colleagues alike.
“Vickie’s foundation was a strong commitment to fairness in the educational environment,” recalled Linda Johnson. “She encouraged her students to appreciate their education, work hard to achieve their potential, and conduct themselves with kindness and dignity.” Whether she was guiding students or representing educators, fairness wasn’t just a value for Vickie… it was her compass.
Her peers remember a woman of deep conviction who balanced toughness with heart. Annie Neubauer described her as someone with “a stern exterior and kind interior. Troubled kids were her soft spot. She would do everything she could for each one.” In the classroom, she was known for her stories, which were also teaching lessons wrapped in humor and life experience. “Her classroom was tightly run and full of anecdotes from history or literature,” said Gina Olkowski. “She’d sit a struggling student down for a long talk, helping them see the error of their ways through one of her many stories. She might reprimand a student one day only to praise them the next.”
Among colleagues, she was affectionately known as “Mama Vic.” “She listened to us when we needed listening, gave advice when we needed advice, and told stories of teaching like they were her parables,” Olkowski remembered. “She would vent, have funny nicknames for admin, and gossip with the rest of us. But she’d also diffuse our frustrations and help us find the best solution.” Even in moments of levity, Vickie modeled how to lead with empathy and resolve.
Her leadership in the Appoquinimink Education Association defined much of her later career. “Vickie was passionate and driven to ensure members were recognized as professionals and treated with respect,” said Johnson. “She worked tirelessly to make every member feel heard and valued.” That same drive inspired others to find their own voices. Vickie Caprinolo remembered her as “a fierce advocate and protector who taught so many of us the importance of standing up for what is right.”
Caprinolo’s tribute captures what many felt: “She was my protector when I was a quiet second-year teacher and needed her most. But then she instilled in me that it was my turn to step forward for others. She pushed me to become a union leader, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Vickie’s colleagues agree that her legacy lies in that sense of courage and conviction. “She had a strong will and a solid belief that workplace unions were the foundation of success, professionalism, and productivity,” Johnson reflected. “I believe she’d want educators today to strengthen our unions by getting involved in the parts they’re passionate about and uniting instead of dividing.”
Fierce but fair. Stern but kind. A small-town teacher with big-hearted principles. For those fortunate enough to know her, Vickie Shaffner will be remembered not only for what she fought for, but for how she lifted others to fight beside her.
