Category Archives: Education

Great gifts and inspirational reading for Winter Break

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Season’s Greetings!

I’m sure busy educators all over the country are busy wrapping up their current instructional programs, creating holiday lessons and programs, working on finals, and calculating semester grades. So much to do before the onset of Winter Break. At the same time, these dedicated professionals are decorating their classrooms, homes, and yards for the season, while also addressing holiday cards, baking cookies, and shopping for gifts. So much to do to get ready for Christmas, too.

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I have a suggestion. Why not buy an inspirational book for the teacher in your family, your child’s special teacher, or that favorite co-worker at your school? Or you could indulge yourself, and stock up on something inspirational to read during your much-needed Winter Break. I have two splendid titles to suggest:  Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students (available here) and Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor (available here), each one available in print or in e-book formats and reasonably priced.

Enjoy!

Civil Rights activist Fannie Richards first Black teacher in Detroit

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Civil Rights activist Fannie Richards of Detroit, Michigan, is recognized as the first African American school teacher in her city. Photo credit: Black Then

Throughout our country, many excellent educators logged “firsts” in their community. One of these was Fannie Richards. She is recognized as the first African American school teacher in Detroit, Michigan.

Fannie was born on Oct. 1, 1840, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the child of free persons of color. When she was just a child, her family moved to Toronto, Canada. She enrolled in Canadian public schools, and once she graduated, she continued her studies at Toronto Normal School and then in Germany, where she worked with education expert Wilhelm Frobel as he developed the innovative new concept of kindergartens.

Once she returned to the United States, Fannie landed in Detroit. Because of her exceptional scholastic record, she was able to secure a position as a teacher in Detroit city schools. But in 1863 Fannie decided to strike out on her own. She opened a private school for African American children, which she operated for five years. In 1868, she returned to public schools when she was hired to teach in Colored School No. 2.

Under the leadership of John Bagley in 1870, Fannie and members of her family protested vehemently against Detroit’s segregated school system. The effort yielded the desired results when, in 1871, the Michigan State Supreme Court ordered the Detroit Board of Education to abolish separate schools for White and African American children. That same year, Fannie was transferred to the newly-integrated Everett Elementary School, where she established the first kindergarten in Detroit. In all, she taught at that school for 44 years.

Fannie’s activism went beyond the classroom, as she founded the Phyllis Wheatley Home for Aged Colored Ladies which was established to meet the needs of poor and elderly Black women in her community. In 1898, she became the home’s first president.

In 1915, after a career that spanned more than 50 years, Fannie retired. She passed away seven years later on Feb. 13, 1922, at the age of 81. For her work in Michigan’s schools, the Chalkboard Champion was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

Missouri Home Ec teacher Bonnie Leman inducted into Quilters Hall of Fame

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Home Economics teacher Bonnie Leman of Missouri was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame. Photo credit: Quilters Hall of Fame

Many outstanding educators also earn a name for themselves in fields outside the classroom. This is certainly the case with Bonnie Leman, a teacher from Missouri who has been inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Bonnie was born on Sept. 28, 1926, in Purdin, Missouri. When she was only 16 years old, she enrolled at Park University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics with a Minor in English in 1947. After earning her degree, she inaugurated her career as a teacher of English and Home Economics at the junior high level in Shannon City, Iowa. Later she relocated to Abilene, Kansas, where she taught school.

In 1953, Bonnie left Kansas to move to Colorado, where she earned her teaching credential from the University of Denver.  While studying there, she met George, a fellow graduate student, and the two were married. The couple raised seven children together.

By 1969, Bonnie had left the classroom to pursue a career in publishing. She founded Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, the first publication to celebrate the following art to be published in the United States. In fact, she is credited with reviving and fostering an appreciation for the art form. Eventually her readership grew to more than 200,000 subscribers in over 100 countries. She wrote and published numerous books about the making of quilts. In 1982, this accomplished former teacher was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame. In 1994, she was honored with the first Silver Star Award from Quilts, Inc., the parent company of the International Quilt Festival and Quilt Market.

Bonnie Lehman passed away on Sept. 4, 2010, in Arvada, Colorado. She was 83 years old. To read more about her accomplishments, click on this link to an online article about her published by The Quilters Hall of Fame.

Kim Broomer selected Washington state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

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Kindergarten teacher Kim Broomer has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for Washington State. Photo credit: Washington Education Association.

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for their work in one of our country’s public schools. today I share the story of Kim Broomer, a kindergarten teacher from Washington. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Kim teaches at Ruby Bridges Elementary School in the Northshore School District in Woodinville. She says her primary goal is to build connections and nurture relationships. But above all, inclusivity is at the heart of everything she does in her classroom.  “I view my role as a community builder,” she asserts. “Creating safe spaces in which students are seen, heard and that they matter.” She credits this emphasis to her own diagnosis of ADHD. “Knowing that I have ADHD, there is a beautiful fit and connection between my students and me,” she says, “making my classroom a safe space in which we can all belong, learn, love, and grow together, just as we are.”

Her career as an educator spans 23 years, but Kim’s decision to become a teacher can be traced back to her mother, who ran a small in-home day care center, she reveals.

Her selection as Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition Kim has earned. She was named Ahead of the Class by the Renton Chamber of Commerce, an Innovative Teacher of the Year by the Northshore School Foundation, and one of the Heroes in the Classroom by the Seattle Seahawks.  And the State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has selected her to work towards improving inclusionary practices statewide. In addition, Kim has received numerous grants for innovation, leadership, and community outreach.

Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences from the University of Washington. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching from the same institution. In 2010, she earned her National Board Certification.

To read more about Kim Broomer, click on this link to a story about her published by the Washington Dept. of Supt. of Public Instruction.

 

Teacher, counselor, and administrator Veteran Ernest Robles was also a US veteran

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California educator Ernest Robles also served as a highly-decorated veteran in the Korean War. Photo Credit: Legacy.com.

Many excellent classroom teachers have also served their country as military veterans. One of these was Ernest Robles, a California educator who was also a highly-decorated Marine in the Korean War.

Ernest was born on Feb. 16, 1931, in Pirtleville, Arizona. As a young man, he lettered in football. After high school, Ernest served his country in the US Marines, where he saw combat in the Korean War. While there, he earned a Bronze Star, a Navy Commendation Medal of Valor, and a Purple Heart.

Once he was discharged from the military, Ernest earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Los Angeles. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. After completing his education, Ernest spent many years teaching school, working as a school counselor, and serving as a principal and administrator in the Riverside School District in Riverside. Later, he moved to San Francisco where he accepted a position as an Assistant Regional Administrator for Equal Educational Opportunities in the US Office of Education.

Ernest also supported education by founding the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Starting the effort out of his own home in 1975, he headed the organization for more than 20 years, distributing $30,000 in scholarships in the first year alone. Over the next 20 years, the Fund distributed a total of $31 million to more than 30,000 outstanding college students. Under his direction, the scholarship fund was named the Nation’s Best Fund Charity by Worth magazine in 1987. His legacy continues even today, as the Fund has now awarded $50 million in scholarships.

For his contributions to the Hispanic community, Ernest was honored at the White House by President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, and First Lady Hillary Clinton. He has also received the Education Leadership Award from the College Board and the Hispanic Higher Education Award from the National Hispanic Corporate Council. In addition, he was named one of the “100 Influential Hispanics in the United States” by Hispanic Magazine.

After his retirement from education, Ernest enjoyed traveling, reading, and cheering on his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. Sadly, Ernest passed away on Sept. 5, 2022. He was 91 years old.