NY science teacher Michelle Ebert earns prestigious SUNY award

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Science teacher Michelle Ebert of New York has earned an Excellence in Teaching Award from the State University of New York. Photo credit: Linked In

It is always a pleasure to report that an exceptional classroom teacher has earned recognition for their work with young people. One of these is Michelle Ebert, a science educator from New York State. She has earned an Excellence in Teaching Award from SUNY, the State University of New York.

Michelle teachers Earth Science courses at Greece Arcadia High School, a pubic school located in Rochester, New York. She has taught in the district for 27 years. In her classroom, Michelle employs flipped classroom strategies, peer review, and student-led instruction. She also incorporates current events into her curriculum.

In addition to her work at Greece Arcadia, Michelle was selected to be a presenter at the New York State Conference from 2001-20016..

Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Geology from State University of New York, Plattsburgh, in 1990. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from SUNY at Brockport in 1981. In addition, she has been a National Board Certified in Young Adult Science. since 2007.

The Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes outstanding educators who exemplify the professional work of thousands of educators who strive to attain New York standards and success for all of their students. Winners receive a $5,000 stipend for their continued learning and professional endeavors. They also participate in a summer school or school year institute or workshop, and in addition they are invited to attend a state or national content area convention.

Congratulations on your achievement, Michelle!

Sp Ed teacher Tiffany Barnes named West Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year

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Special Education teacher Tiffany Barnes has been named West Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: CCSSO NTOY

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. Middle school teacher Tiffany Barnes of West Virginia is just such an educator. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Tiffany teaches Special Education at Wheeling Middle School in Ohio County, West Virginia. In her classroom, the honored educator says the relationships she has formed with her students are the most important element. “Connection is everything,” she says. “If a student doesn’t feel connected, they’re not going to learn. So it’s important to take the extra time to love them and connect with them and get to know them on a personal level,” she continues.

On her campus, Tiffany founded and coaches the Girls on the Run Heart and Sole team. She also established the school’s annual Autism Acceptance 5K race to support Special Education classrooms throughout Ohio County.

Not only is Tiffany a talented educator, she is also a US Army veteran. She served two tours of duty during the Iraq War, where she was as a member of the Military Police. There she earned the Iraq Campaign Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service, an Armed Forces Reserve Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

In addition to her credentials as a teacher, Tiffany is a certified personal trainer and a performance enhancement specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

In her community, Tiffany initiated the Wreaths Across America program at two local cemeteries. She is a board member for the Martins Ferry Football Mom’s Association and the Education Alliance. And as if all that were not enough, she is an active member of Team Red, White & Blue, where she honors fallen soldiers by running half-marathons with a full rucksack, gas mask and flags. She is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, West Virginia Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi.

Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from American Military University, and her Master’s degree in Reading from West Liberty University.

 

WWII Indian Code Talker Edmond Harjho was also an elementary school teacher

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Edmond Harjho

WWII Seminole Indian Code Talker Edmond Harjho was also an elementary school teacher in Oklahoma.

I love to share stories about hardworking teachers who have also served our country in the military. One of these stories is about the amazing Edmond Andrew Harjho, an elementary school teacher who served as a Seminole Code Talker during World War II.

Edmond was born in Maud, Seminole County, Oklahoma, on November 24, 1917. He spent his boyhood in Maud, eventually graduating from Seminole High School. He earned both his Bachelor’s and his Master’s degrees from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma.

During World War II, Edmond and his brothers enlisted in the US Army. The men served in Battery A of the 195th Field Artillery Battalion, and participated during the landings at Normandy in 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. The story goes that one day in 1944, Edmond was talking with his brother in their native language. The pair were overheard by their Army captain, who quickly recognized that the men could communicate with each other in their native tongue on the army radio and not easily be understood by soldiers from the opposing army. That’s how Edmond became a Seminole Code Talker.

For his military service, Edmond was recognized in 2013 with the Congressional Gold Medal. He was also awarded the Eastern African Middle Eastern Campaign Service Ribbon, a Silver Service Star, and a Good Conduct Medal.

After the war, Edmond taught elementary school, first in Maud Public Schools, then in the Justice Public School in Wewoka, Oklahoma, and lastly in the Pickett Center School located in Ada, Oklahoma.

Sadly, Edmond Harjho passed away from a heart attack in Ada, Oklahoma, on March 31, 2014. He was 96 years old. When he died, he was the last surviving Seminole Code Talker. He was buried at the Seminole Nation Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Susan Dixon, President Emerita of the California Retired Teachers Association, garners prestigious DKG award

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Susan Dixon, Past President of the California retired Teachers Association, garnered a prestigious award from Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG). Photo credit: DKG

There are many excellent educators who dedicate their considerable talent and energy towards the betterment of conditions of others. One of these is Susan Dixon, a retired elementary school teacher from California who was instrumental in increasing the monthly incomes of many of her fellow teachers.

After her retirement from the classroom, Susan became active in the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA). Among her other responsibilities in the organization, she served as the state President from 2023 to 2025 and as the President-Elect from 2021 to 2023. In these positions, she worked tirelessly to repeal legislation that prevented educators in California, and in several other states, from collecting Social Security benefits they had rightfully earned. Previously, laws restricted these educators from collecting their Social Security paychecks because they were already receiving a pension from the California State Teachers Retirement System. Once the legislation was passed, Susan participated in two national press conferences and was invited by President Joe Biden to attend the signing of the new bill in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2025.

As a result of her activism on behalf of the retired teachers, Susan garnered a prestigious award from Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), an international professional organization for women educators. The award she garnered, the 2026 California Professional Service Award, was presented to her in April, 2026, at the DKG Northern Conference.

Today, Susan continues her lifelong commitment to public education and advocacy as President Emerita of CalRTA. She also serves as Co-Chair of the National Retirement Security Task Force, CalRTA Federal Legislation Special Assistant, a member of the Senate Social Security War Room led by senior policy advisors to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Area XIV Legislative Representative for Delta Kappa Gamma.

Before she retired, Susan taught second grade at Mar Vista Elementary School in San Clemente in Southern California. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher at Harold Ambuehl Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano. Susan’s career as an educator spanned 35 years.