Category Archives: Education

Elem educator Lisa Tripp celebrated in Maine’s Love Teaching Week

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Elementary school science teacher Lisa Tripp was honored by the Maine Department of Education during their Love Teaching Week program. Photo Credit: Maine Department of Education

The state of Maine has brought back its Love Teaching Week program through which they celebrate educators who have left a lasting impact on the lives of their students. The program, which takes place around Valentine’s Day every year, is a national campaign started by educators in 2015. One teacher they have honored this year is Lisa Tripp, an elementary school teacher from York County.

Lisa teaches science to sixth graders at Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton. “I teach because the future of the world is in my classroom today,” Lisa says. “I get to help connect my students to their community and beyond as they find ways to make it a better place for all,” she continues. “They come up with new ideas and creative and wonderful views on the world that they see around them, and it just fills my heart with so much hope for a beautiful and amazing future,” she adds.

Lisa says she not only appreciates the beauty of her home state, but she uses it to teach lessons to her students.  “We’re given the opportunity to take our students outside and share that joy of nature with them,” Lisa declares. “We have an opportunity to share with them why Maine is such an incredibly diverse beautiful natural wonder.” She has also been involved in an effort to attract more teachers to relocate to Maine and apply for jobs in public schools there.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Liberal Arts from the University of Maine. In addition to her recognition during Love Teaching Week, Lisa was named the York County Teacher of the Year in 2023.

English teacher Renee Atkinson named South Carolina’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year

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High school English teacher Renee Atkinson has been named South Carolina’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Horry Georgetown Technical College

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Today, I share the story of Renee Atkinson, an English teacher from South Carolina. She has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Renee teaches Language Arts, Advanced Placement Language Arts, and Advanced Placement English Literature at Aynor High School in the Horry County Schools District. She has also held significant roles in the development of the school’s International Baccalaureate program. In a career that spans 21 years in the profession, she has spent 17 of them in Horry County schools.

Renee says she considers building positive relationships with students her most important contribution to education and feels strongly that students must be able to trust her in order to learn. She works to create a culture of inclusivity and open-mindedness in the classroom, encouraging students to be contributing members of the learning community.

When asked to describe her teaching philosophy, Renee instantly responded, “The joy and passion that comes from being a teacher and stories of students that can motivate teachers to stay with it, and continue to work hard for our children.”

Renee earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from Clemson University in 2002. She earned her Master’s in Education in English from Francis Marion University in 2004. She completed the requirements for a degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University in 2013. She earned her National Board Certification in 2009.

As the South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Renee will serve for one school year as a roving ambassador providing mentoring, attending speaking engagements, working with colleagues, leading the State Teacher Forum, and serving as the sate spokesperson for over 55,000 educators. As part of her recognition as a state teacher of the year, Renee received a $25,000 cash prize and the use of a brand-new BMW for one year.

 

Ohio math teacher Geoff Brown garners prestigious Sliffe Award

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Ohio teacher Geoff Brown has garnered a prestigious Edith May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching in Middle School. Photo Credit: Chagrin Falls Middle School

Congratulations go to Ohio math teacher Geoff Brown. He has garnered a prestigious Edith May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching in Middle School. This national award, given by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), recognizes the work of outstanding classroom teachers.

Geoff currently teaches at Chagrin Falls Middle School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. There he instructs courses in Honors Geometry and Algebra. This Chalkboard Champion is known among his colleagues for his ability to connect math curriculum to real-world experiences, daily news, and students’ interests. “We are constantly on the lookout for how the patterns we’re exploring appear in the real world,” says Geoff.

Through his engaging teaching methods, his own enthusiasm for math, and his dedication to building students’ confidence in tackling tough problems, Geoff inspires a long-lasting appreciation for mathematics. ”We learn that it’s OK to take risks and make mistakes, which happens a lot when we’re trying to use our creativity to solve unfamiliar problems,” explains Geoff.
In addition to instructing his curriculum, Geoff encourages his students to participate in the MAA’s annual AMC 8 competition, a multiple-choice exam that promotes the development of problem-solving skills. Not only is Geoff an exemplary leader in the classroom, but he is also a leader in his school district as a member of his District Leadership Team.

Before joining the staff of the middle school, Geoff taught at Chagrin Falls High School. Altogether, his career as an educator spans more than 20 years.

As part of his recognition, Geoff received a $500 cash award and an all-expense paid trip attend the 2024 MAA MathFest National Conference last August. The event annually draws mathematicians from all around the country.

 

Arkansas teacher Charlotte Stephens, born into slavery, taught for 70 years

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Charlotte Stephens, pictured here in 1924, taught school in Little Rock, Arkansas, for 70 consecutive years. Photo Credit: Public Domain

There are many inspirational examples of outstanding educators who have devoted their entire lives to the profession. One of these is Arkansas teacher Charlotte Stephens. She  devoted 70 years of her life to the profession of teaching.

Charlotte was born into slavery on May 9, 1854, in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a youngster, she lived in the household of Arkansas Senator Chester Ashley. Once the Civil War was over, Charlotte was educated at a local school established by the Society of Friends under the auspices of the Freedman’s Bureau.

Once she graduated, Charlotte attended Oberlin College. There she studied Latin, geometry, the history of Rome, music, English, and the Bible. In 1873, Charlotte returned to Little Rock to teach. Over the years, she updated her teaching techniques by completing courses at teachers’ colleges, although she never earned a degree.

Charlotte launched her career as an educator at the age of 15. She taught Latin, German, and science courses at the Freedmen’s School she had attended as a young girl. In fact, she was the first African American teacher in the city’s public school system. Later in hr career, she served as the principal of the Capital Hill School, as the librarian of Dunbar High School, and as the Acting Principal of Union High School.

By the time Charlotte retired in 1939 at the age of 85, her career as an educator had spanned 70 consecutive years. At that time, to honor her work, Charlotte was given a Master’s degree from Shorter College in North Little Rock. In 1910, Stephens Elementary School in Little Rock was named after her. The school still operates as a public school to this day.

Sadly, Charlotte passed away on December 17, 1951. She was 97 years old. She is interred at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock.

 

Elem teacher Dana Mayhew earns recognition by Detroit Red Wings

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Michigan elementary school teacher Dana Mahew earns recognition by Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team. Photo Credit:Monroe Elementary School

The Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team is demonstrating to everyone how important educators are to Michigan. Among the best is Dana Mayhew.

Each month from Oct., 2023, to March, 2024, one outstanding teacher was recognized as the Red Wings Teacher of the Month. In April, fans were invited to vote for their favorite monthly winner, and when the votes were counted, the Red Wings Teacher of the Year was announced. She was Dana Mayhew of Wyandotte!

Dana teaches first grade at Monroe Elementary School in the Wyandotte Public School District. She has worked at the school for 11 years. Wyandotte is a small town of about 25,000 residents found in southeastern Michigan.

This Chalkboard Champion was selected for her exemplary work in establishing a Young Fives program; her compassionate approach to student care; and her commitment to preparing young learners for academic and personal success while fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Nominees for recognition program were educators in Michigan who have shown exceptional commitment towards improving student academic success, who have implemented innovative teaching strategies into their curriculum, or who have made a profound difference in the lives of their students. Teachers from all grade levels (K-12) and disciplines were eligible.

Each of the monthly winners received a personalized trophy, two tickets to a home game at Little Caesars Arena, and a $1,500 Visa gift card to purchase supplies for their classroom. As the winner of the Teacher of the Year program, Dana received these gifts, plus a grant in the amount of $5,000 for her school. She was also invited to a meet and greet with two prominent Red Wings players.