Ever wonder what strategies Annie Sullivan Macy, often called the Miracle Worker, used to teach Helen Keller? Watch this 5-minute video below for insights from author Terry Marzell.
I am always excited when an outstanding educator earns recognition for their contributions to the teaching profession. That’s what this blog and website is all about! Today, I am excited to write about the selection of Cornel Pewewardy to the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.
Dr. Cornel Pewewardy has been named a 2024 inductee into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame. Photo credit: Oklahoma Educators Hal of Fame
Cornel is best-known for his research and scholarship, which have greatly influenced public and higher education, especially for Native American students, educators, and administrators. Through this research, he challenged and expanded the understanding of Indigenous education, teacher training, and tribal leadership preparation throughout the state of Oklahoma and nationwide.
With lineage that traces back to Comanche and Kiowa roots, Cornel once served as the Vice Chair of the Comanche Nation. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, a professor-of-practice at Kansas State University, and as an adjunct faculty member at numerous colleges and universities in Oklahoma and across the country. In addition, he’s an author and frequent presenter on Indigenous education issues.
Cornel inaugurated his career in education as a recreation assistant for Sequoyah Indian High School in Tahlequah in 1975. He then went on to serve in positions with the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the University of Oklahoma; the University of Minneapolis; Saint Paul (Minnesota) Public Schools; the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha; Cameron University in Lawton; Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio; Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas; Comanche Nation College in Lawton; Portland State University in Oregon; and Kansas State University. He also founded the Comanche Academy Charter School in Lawton.
Cornel earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah), a second Master’s degree from New Mexico State University, a post-graduate certificate from the University of New Mexico, and his PhD from Pennsylvania State University.
His induction into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame is not the only recognition Cornel has earned. He has been named the Big XII Outstanding American Indian Faculty of the Year five times, and he also received the Crystal Eagle Award for Outstanding Leadership at the University of Kansas. He has also received the National Indian Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and honors from the University of Kansas Endowment Association, Portland State University, the Oregon Indian Education Association, and the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education.
Congratulations, Dr. Cornel Pewewardy!
For her extensive body of work as an educator, former classroom teacher and administrator Catherine Bell was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: Texas Woman’s University
Many excellent educators achieve honors of distinction for their work in the profession. One of these was Catherine Bell, a classroom teacher, administrator, educational innovator, and teachers’ union leader from Texas. For her extensive body of work as an educator, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.
Catherine Bell was born on June 29, 1907, in Groveton, Texas. After her graduation from high school, young Catherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bachelor University. She earned both her Master’s degree and her PhD from the University of Houston, and she also completed courses at the University of Chicago.
After earning her degrees, Catherine accepted a position as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District, where she taught for 11 years. She spent the next four years as a principal at Port Houston Elementary School. She spent 14 years as the District’s Assistant Director of Elementary Education, and then was appointed the Director of Elementary Education, where she served for nine years. In addition, she served as the Area IV Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, and then as Assistant Superintendent for K-12 Basic Skills. During these years, she co-authored the Developmental Science Series and Skill Building Series books.
In addition to her work as an administrator, Catherine served as a member of the White House Conference on Education in both 1955 and 1960. She represented the United States at The World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession in Paris, Dublin, Abidjan, and Sidney. She was also a member of both the Board of Examiners on Teacher Education and of the Texas Commission on Science. In addition, she was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association in 1954.
In all, Catherine served as a professional educator for 47 years. She retired in 1976. For her body of work in the field, Catherine was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984. Kate Bell Elementary School in Houston was named in her honor. She was also named a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and an Honorary Life Trustee of the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation.
Catherine Bell passed away on Feb. 25, 2003. She was 95 years old.
