Vilma Counts was and always will be be an inspiration like no one else.  I was hired at SUNNYSLOPE as a rookie teacher.   I soon targeted Mrs Counts because she was a “know- it - all”. I mean that in the most loving way. I’d run into her in the xerox room.   Whatever  teaching  problem I had,  it  amazed me how easily she had an answer.  Bonus prize is she put the God backup  because I needed that spiritual comfort too.   It was like having my extra support Angel style. 
Then before she walked away she would turn around , look at me and simply smile.   Her smile alone was  reassurance.To say she impacted my life does her no justice.  The district did not place me at SS,   God did.  For hers was the example I drew strength  from when I came to retire .  Hers was strength that I knew existed when you do not want the experiences that go with building it.  That is life.  Vilma I am so grateful for you being a heaven sent inspiration in my life!! 

Vilma Counts was a trailblazer for bi-lingual education. She and Jonie Vetcher started the 1st "Dual Language Program" at Nestor in our whole district, SBUSD. Yes, it was the very 1st bilingual program in the entire district. Jonie did the english component and Vilma did the spanish one. They would switch their students for half a day. Then, Eventually bilingual education started spreading to other schools in our district. She taught all her 1st graders how to read using "La Familia Rios Series." She was one of the creators of this series.
     May she rest in peace with her husband Leslie Counts. 
🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
      Sending Prayers and condolences to her children Carolina, Cristina and Johhnny and to all of her grandchildren.

To Vilma's three children, yes, she loved teaching, but she loved you all more and was so proud of sharing your accomplishments. I was hired as Vilma's teaching partner in 1997. She wanted a Gifted program for bilingual students which didn't exist, was challenged to develop one, and of course she did! I was her English only partner and that first year trailed behind her trying my very best to keep up. Vilma pushed her student to greatness and they loved it. She was also Sunnyslope's Jump Rope for Heart queen as well as my Halloween cohort. We worked the Haunted House together. Most of the booths were one ticket, but it took four to get into the Haunted House. One of our more ornery students paid his tickets, went in, and promptly came screaming out demanding a refund. Vilma said, "You paid to be scared, we scared you--no refund!" Good memories!

Dear Family, Loved Ones of Vilma,
I cannot believe this wonderful woman, teacher and mom is gone...but not from our hearts.  Vilma, I loved you very much and have missed the comradery, your bright, upbeat attitude and energy and amazingly supportive spirit for many years....
Lunchtimes in the teacher's lounge were always more upbeat and educational and fun with you in the mix....
You are forever in my heart and were an enormous reason that I loved my fellow teachers and the job itself so much.  You positivity, willingness to share, listen, help, laugh and more are all reasons that made you one incredible human being, coworker and teacher.

Vilma, I hope to see you again some day.  My heart is broken that I will never see you on this earth again.  I have missed you ever since leaving Sunnyslope 22 years ago.  I know your loved ones miss you like crazy, too.

Love and eternal hugs and appreciations,
Catherine Eichhorn Johnson
1st/2nd Grade Teacher 1989-2001.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mrs. Vilma F Counts

13 septembre 1947 – 3 décembre 2022

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service