Category Archives: Education

Science teacher Soichi Sakamoto coached Olympic swimmers

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Former sixth grade science teacher Soichi Sakamoto from Maui, Hawaii, became a swim coach to Olympic swimmers. Photo credit: Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation

Many fine classroom teachers also earn acclaim as athletic coaches. One of these is Soichi Sakamoto, a science teacher who also became a swim coach to Olympian athletes.

Soichi was born on August 6, 1906. In the late 1930’s, he taught sixth grade science and health at Puunene School on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The school was built in 1922 on ten acres of land donated by the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company.

At first, Soichi didn’t know anything about coaching a swim team, and his team members consisted of the children of poor sugar plantation workers. Nevertheless, the  inventive teacher established the Three-Year Swim Cub in 1937. His goal was to guide his athletes to the Olympics within three years. The indefatigable coach was able to achieve his goal of creating a team that qualified for the US Olympic team; however, the 1940 Summer Games were cancelled because of the outbreak of World War II.

To get his student athletes to their goal, the innovative coach developed a training regimen involving the use of interval training. As a form of resistance training, Soichi used area irrigation ditches to train his athletes to swim against the current. In addition, he used pulleys and weights to build upper body strength in his young swimmers, also an innovation for the times.

Eventually, Soichi became the Swim Coach at the University of Hawaii, where he served from 1946 to 1961. He also served as an Assistant Coach for the US Olympic Swim Team from 1952 to 1956. Over the course of Soichi’s career, many of his athletes competed in the Olympics, where they earned gold, silver, and bronze medals.

For his work as a swim coach, Soichi earned international accolades. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Sports Circle of Honor at the University of Hawaii.

This superlative coach passed away on Sept. 29, 1997. He was 91 years old. To document the story of this Chalkboard Champion, a book detailing his life and career was written by Julia Checkoway. The biography, published in 2015, was entitled The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui’s Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory. The volume is available on  Amazon.com. You could also read this 2003 article published abut him in the Star Bulletin.

Elem educator Megan Johnson named Indiana’s 2026 State Teacher of the Year

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Elementary teacher Megan Johnson of Plainfield, Indiana, has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Indiana Department of Education

It is always exciting to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Megan Johnson, an elementary teacher from Indiana. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Megan teaches fourth grade at Central elementary School in Plainfield. Her career as an educator spans 18 years. In her classroom, Megan creates lessons that encourage student-centered learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and connections to real-world issues. She also leads efforts to implement evidence-based reading and writing strategies.

To Megan, reading competency is of paramount importance. “Research has shown that if a fourth grader does not have the necessary pillars in place to read well, their chances of success after high school are slim,” she declares. “I cannot let students leave my classroom without an opportunity to succeed.” To help students increase their reading skills, Megan uses learning bags filled with active tools, such as color-changing pens and sensory objects, to help students build literary competency.

Megan reveals she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, she loved school. She remembers that her teachers helped her build confidence and discover her talents, despite being a student who often blended in, she continues. “I realized that what I loved most was the relationships and the sense of belonging that school created,” she says. “I knew I wanted to be part of giving that same experience to my own students one day,” she concludes.

Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 2007. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. In addition, she has earned an endorsement in Early Literacy.

Read more about Megan Johnson in this article published by Town Post Network.

 

Richard C. Alvarez was an outstanding educator and US veteran

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Richard Cortez Alvarez was a longtime and outstanding educator in Southern California. He was also a veteran of the United States Army. Photo credit: Inland Daily Bulletin

Many longtime and outstanding educators have also served our country in the military. This is certainly the case with Richard Cortez Alvarez, a high school teacher who served in the United States Army.

Richard was born on Jan. 5, 1935, in Cucamonga, Southern California. He was the youngest child in a family of itinerant farmworkers. When he was growing up, Richard attended schools in Pomona, Southern California. As a student at Pomona High School, he met Laura Zeckendorf, whom he married in 1957. After his high school graduation, Richard served in the US Army. During the years he served, he completed a tour of duty in Korea.

Once he returned from Korea, Richard completed coursework at Mt. San Antonio College. He also studied at the University of LaVerne, and California State University at Fullerton (CsUF). It was at CSUF where he earned his Master’s degree in Fine Arts.

The former veteran inaugurated his career as an educator at Garey High School in Pomona. Later he devoted 25 years of his professional career to teaching at his alma mater, Mt. San Antonio College.

Sadly, Richard Cortez Alvarez passed away on Jan. 24, 2026, at his home in Pomona, California. He was 91 years old. To honor this Chalkboard Champion, a memorial scholarship has been established in his name.

VA teacher Clara Byrd Baker was also a civic leader and suffragist

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Clara Byrd Baker

Elementary school teacher Clara Byrd Baker of Virginia worked tirelessly to improve social conditions in her community as a civic leader and suffragist. Photo credit: Hampton University

There are many examples of talented classroom teachers who have worked tirelessly to improve social conditions in their community. One of these is Clara Byrd Baker, an elementary school teacher from Virginia who has earned a reputation as an outstanding civic leader and suffragette.

Clara was born on June 22, 1886, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her parents were Charles and Malvina Carey Byrd. As a young woman, Clara enrolled in Hampton Institute. She also attended Virginia State College for Negroes, now known as Virginia State College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She was only 16 years old at the time.

After earning her degree, Clara launched her career as an educator in 1902 when she accepted a position as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in James City County, Virginia. In 1920, she became a teacher at a public training school for African American students. Later, she joined the faculty at Bruton Heights School in Williamsburg. After a career in the classroom that spanned an amazing 50 years, Clara retired in 1952.

Throughout her life, even during the years she taught school, Clara served as a leader in Williamsburg’s African American community. She worked to expand educational opportunities for students, to improve inter-racial relations, and to secure the vote for women. In fact, after the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, Clara became the first woman in Williamsburg to vote.

For her efforts, Clara earned numerous accolades. In 2007, she was honored by the Virginia State Library and Archives as an African American Trailblazer. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation recognized her achievements in 2011. The Virginia State University Alumni Association gave her a Meritorious Service Award and named her their Alumni of the Year. In 1989, a newly-built elementary school in Williamsburg was named in her honor.

Clara Baker Byrd passed away on October 20, 1979, at the age of 93. She is interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg.

ELEM teacher Shelly Teel named finalist for 2026 Florida State Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Shelly Teel has been named a finalist for 2026 Florida State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education

Many exceptional educators work with young people in American schools, and occasionally one of them is singled out for special recognition. One of these is Shelly Teel, an elementary school teacher from Florida. She has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year by the Florida State Department of Education.

Shelly teaches third graders at Westside Elementary School in Columbia County, where she grew up. She is known for her use of holistic and inclusive teaching practices, building strong student-teacher relationships, and a strong sense of community.

“I use small groups to drive everything that I do,” reveals Shelly, “so if I teach it whole group, I’m re-teaching it in small group, and that gives me a chance to interact with my kids on every single standard,” she continues. Shelly also provides after-school tutoring.

Shelley’s expertise as an educator and communicator is widely known. “Mrs. Teel possesses a remarkable ability to make learning both fun and engaging,” declares Columbia County School Superintendent Keith Couey. “She is a truly exceptional educator whose dedication, passion and ability to connect with students sets her apart,” he continues.

Shelly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Leo University. She has also earned her certification in English for Speakers of Other Languages and she is certified in Reading.

The 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were selected from nearly 175,000 public school teachers. The criteria used to select these exemplary teachers includes an outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning, and outstanding school and community service. The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.