Former First Lady Laura Bush was also a teacher and school librarian

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Former First Lady Laura Bush also served her community as a teacher and a school librarian in her home state of Texas. 

Laura Bush was just seven years old when she informed her parents that she wanted to be a teacher. And she never wavered from her decision. Before she became the nation’s First Lady, she served her community as a teacher and school librarian.

Like many teachers, Laura felt a calling to the teaching profession. As a youngster, she enjoyed lining up her dolls in the pretend classroom she established in her bedroom. There she and her childhood playmates would play school for hours on end.

Laura earned her degrees from Southern Methodist University, where she majored in Elementary Education and completed her student teaching semester. She inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position as a third grade teacher in the Dallas Public Schools system.  At the tend of the school year, Laura moved to Houston, where she taught second grade at John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

After three years as a classroom teacher, Laura returned to college to earn her Master’s degree in Library Science. This done, she accepted a position as a children’s librarian at a public library in Houston, a job which suited her well. But she missed working in schools.

The following year she became a school librarian, working at a school with an inner-city population. Apparently, the students there were tough. One of Laura’s former colleagues described the future First Lady. She said, “She was friendly and very loving but very firm. She had her rules…and you followed them.”

Laura has said that she believes that children need dedicated teaches in their lives. She has often said, “Teachers have a more profound impact on our society and culture than any other profession.”

To read more about Laura Bush and her career as an educator, check out this book, From Classroom to White House: The President and First Ladies as Students and Teachers, by James McMurtry Longo, available on amazon.

Wyoming teacher John Corbin named 2024 State Teacher of the Year

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High school Social Studies teacher John Corbin has been named the 2024 Wyoming State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Wyoming State Department of Education

Every year, one outstanding educator is named his or her State Teacher of the Year. This year, that outstanding teacher for the state of Wyoming is John Corbin.

John teaches Social Studies courses at Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming, for students in grades nine through twelve. He instructions courses in Western Civilization, U.S. History, AP U.S. History, American Government and occasionally a History in Hollywood elective course. His career as an educator spans 16 years, eight of them in Cody schools.

In his classroom, John fosters relationships with his students through engaged lessons and differentiated activities. He incorporates multimedia lessons, student-led debates, or history-based projects into his curriculum. He supports a variety of extra-curricular activities to support the interests of his students, giving them the tools to be successful. He also organizes a “build your own adventure” to help illustrate how the Neolithic Revolution happened and Rap Battles of History.

“Another thing that I do in Western Civ is we look at the rise and fall of empires and I let them pick groups based off of musical genres,” describes John. “They basically create a playlist that outlines the factors of the rise and fall of an empire, but then they have to justify it,” he continues.

In addition to his State Teacher of the Year honors, John was named the 2024 Park County School District 6 Teacher of the Year. He has also received the John P. Ellbogen Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence in the Advancement of Quality Civics Education.

John earned his Bachelor’s degree in History with a Secondary Education Emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado. He earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also a National Board Certified Teacher.

 

Alabama teacher Angie Maples garners recognition

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I always enjoy sharing stories about outstanding teachers who have earned recognition for their work with young people. One of these is Angie Maples, a high school teacher from Alabama. She has been named the SuperStar Teacher of the Month for September, 2024, by the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.

Angie teachers English and Language Arts at Career Academies of Decatur (CAD) in Decatur, Alabama. Her career as an educator spans 24 years.

The SuperStar Teacher program celebrates educators who make a significant impact on their students and communities. Th recognition program is part of the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and supporting outstanding educators in Decatur, Morgan County, and Hartselle. The honor comes with a $150 gift card for Angie’s classroom, a $50 gift card for her personal use, and a $1,000 grant for her school.

 

Home Ec teacher Ashley Nudell named a finalist for 2025 ND State Teacher of the Year

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North Dakota teacher Ashley Nudell has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for Ransom County, and one of four finalists for her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: North Dakota United

Just about every woman in my age group remembers taking a course in Home Economics in junior high and high school. Although these classes are no longer required, there are still many teachers who instruct these courses. One of these teachers, Ashley Nudell of North Dakota, has earned recognition for her effort. She has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for Ransom County and one of four finalists for her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Ashley teaches Family and Consumer Science to students in grades 9—12 at Lisbon High School in Lisbon, North Dakota. The courses she instructs include Child Development, Food and Nutrition, Independent Living, and Cultures and Cuisines. In addition, the honored educator serves as an advisor to her school’s chapter of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America).

In her classroom, Ashley declares that her professional goal is to empower students to make wise decisions about health and finances, and to develop practical skills needed for lifelong success. She does this by fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science Education from North Dakota State University in 2019. She earned her Master’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from North Dakota State University in 2023.

“Across our state, in rural areas and larger communities alike, our teachers bring their skills, compassion and dedication to their North Dakota classrooms,” asserted North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler. “These finalists are exemplars of the outstanding teachers we are fortunate to have across North Dakota,” Baesler continued. “Our educators deserve our appreciation, respect, and admiration for the work they do with our young people,” she concluded.