Category Archives: Education

Remembering foreign languages teacher Barbara Edwards, who perished in Sept. 11 attacks

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Remembering foreign language educator Barbara Edwards, who was aboard American Airlines Flight 77 when it was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo Credit:

Today, on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, we solemnly remember all who perished 23 years ago. One of those was foreign languages educator Barbara Edwards from Las Vegas, Nevada. She was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77 when it was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon. All 64 people on board and 125 others who were inside the building at the time perished.

Barbara taught courses in German and French at Palo Verde High School, where she had worked for four years. There Barbara built her German language program from one class to six. She also served as the adviser to the school’s International Club, and she was a passionate advocate for foreign travel. Prior to teaching in Las Vegas, she taught school in Indiana.

At the time of her death, Barbara was on leave from school, recovering from injuries sustained in a previous car accident. She had been traveling to Connecticut and Virginia to visit family and attend a friend’s wedding. She was aboard the plane for her return to Las Vegas.

Every year, students and staff at Palo Verde High School remember their beloved teacher in a solemn ceremony on campus. Members of Palo Verde’s Junior ROTC officiate the ceremony at a memorial built for the fallen educator on the soccer field. Barbara was an avid soccer fan, and spent many after-school hours watching the school team play their games on that field. In addition, a scholarship for foreign language students has been established in her honor.

To fellow teacher Patti Habermas, the outpouring of grief and support from students that followed Barbara’s death demonstrate that the things she does as a teacher really do matter. “I guess I never realized that as a teacher, I really do affect students’ lives,” observed Habermas. “It never dawned on me. I now look at every school year as a treat, and hope I’ll be able to make a difference on students,” Habermas concluded.

Barbara was born on April 5, 1948, in Frankfort, Germany. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to Michigan. In high school, she was a cheerleader and the runner-up for homecoming queen. Once she graduated from high school, Barbara earned her college degree at West Michigan University. She married, became the mother of three children, and launched her career as an educator in Bloomington, Indiana. Later she accepted the teaching position in Las Vegas. She was 58 years old when she died.

 

West Virginia educator Mary Doakes was a trailblazer in her community

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West Virginia educator Mary Doakes was a trailblazer in her community. Photo Credit: Eackles-Spencer & Norton

Many excellent educators become trailblazers in their community. One of these was Mary Taylor Doakes, a teacher who became the first African American administrator to serve in schools in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Mary Taylor was born on May 22, 1936, As a youngster, she attended the historic Page-Jackson School, the first publicly funded school for African Americans in the county. In those days, the school symbolized the ability to the Black community as a stepping stone for becoming successful during a time period when educating African Americans was discouraged. Today the building is home to the Jefferson County Board of Education.

After her high school graduation, she worked her way through college. First, she enrolled in a teacher training program at Storer College, a historically Black college located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. After the college closed in 1955, she transferred to Shepherd College. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in 1957. She next enrolled in Michigan State University, later transferring to West Virginia University. It was there that she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Administration in 1963.

After completing her education, Mary accepting a position as a teacher at Eagle Avenue Elementary School. After several years, she transferred to her alma mater, Page-Jackson school. In all, she spent 14 years in the classroom. In 1971, Mary was promoted to Assistant Principal at Charles Town Junior High School. In 1974, she became the first African American administrator in Jefferson County. Her next assignment was the principal of Charles Town Junior High, a position she held until she retired in 1989. Throughout her long career as an educator, Mary was known for combining loving encouragement with hard-as-nails discipline.

Sadly, Mary Doakes passed away on May 1, 2019, in Ranson, West Virginia. She was 82 years old. Later she was featured in a collection of photographs published in African Americans of Jefferson County by the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society.

IN visual arts educator Jonee Sutton earns prestigious honor

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Visual arts educator Jonee Sutton has been named one of ten top teachers in the state of Indiana. Photo Credit: Beech Grove City Schools

There are many fine visual arts educators who work in American schools. One of them is Jonee Adamson Sutton, who teaches in Beech Grove, Indiana. She has been named one of the top ten teachers in her state. The recognition highlights her unwavering dedication to her students and her outstanding contributions to the teaching profession.

Jonee teaches at Beech Grove Middle School in Beech Grove, Indiana. “Teaching middle school art is tough,” Jonee observes, “the attitude, the crazy, the loud, the lazy, but they are all on their way to becoming wonderful humans!” she says. Jonee has a reputation for nurturing creativity in her students, and for her commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. She is known for her iinnovative teaching methods and genuine care for her students that have left an impact on her community. She inspires both her colleagues and her students to strive for excellence.

One of Jonee’s innovative programs is her “brave” camp, which she organized In 2015. The program was designed to build self-esteem through the arts and empowerment through creativity. To fund the camp, the innovative teacher secured financial support from the Beech Grove Education Foundation, Beech Grove Middle School teacher Jonee Sutton was able to offer a “brave” camp to these girls.

Jonee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2004. Her career as an educator spans 21 years. 

The Indiana Teacher of the Year program celebrates the teaching profession by recognizing teachers who excel in their field. “Becoming a teacher is a calling, driven by the desire to make a difference in the lives of students,” asserts Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “The small, everyday actions of teachers have a profound impact, which can be felt for weeks, months, and even years to come,” she continued.

Congratulations, Jonee!

Arkansas educator Jimmy Jeffress was also a capable politician

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Retired music educator Jimmy Jeffress served in both the state Arkansas House of Representatives and the State Senate. Photo Credit: Arkansas State Legislature

Many excellent educators have also experienced success in the political arena. One of these is Jimmy Jeffress, a retired teacher and politician from Arkansas. After he left the classroom, he served his community in both the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas State Senate.

Jimmy was born on Sept. 19, 1947, in Monticello, Arkansas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1971. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Northeast Louisiana University in 1986. In addition, he completed coursework through the Kennedy School of Government program at Harvard University.

After earning his degrees, Jimmy taught music education courses in Crossett Public Schools in Crossett, Arkansas. His career as an educator spanned 28 years, from 1971 through 1999. During those years, the outstanding educator garnered recognition for his work in the classroom. In both 1994 and 1998 Jimmy was named the Choral Director of the Year by the Southeast Arkansas Choral Directors Association.

In 1996, Jimmy was elected to the Arkansas State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There he represented District 24 from 1997 to 2000. Following his terms there, he served in the Arkansas State Senate from 2001 to 2009. While in the state legislature, he served as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He was also a member of the Committees for Children and Youth; Joint Budget; Joint Retirement and Social Security Systems; Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development; and Joint Energy. He also served as Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Athletic Trainers and as a member of the Task Force on Substance Abuse Treatment Services.

Jimmy earned honors for his work as a public servant, too. In 2001, he was chosen as the Legislator of the Year by the Arkansas Municipal League. In 2000, he garnered the Legislator of the Year Award from the Arkansas School Counselors Association.

NY Special Ed teacher Tess Hinchman garners 2024 Big Apple Award

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Virginia “Tess” Hinchman has named a recipient of the 2024 Big Apple Award by the New York City Department of Education. Photo Credit: Williamsburg Prep High School

The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) does a fine job of recognizing their most outstanding teachers. This year, they have honored nearly 50 classroom educators who work in public schools within New York. One of these is Virginia “Tess” Hinchman, a Special Education and Language Arts teacher from Brooklyn. She has been named a recipient of their 2024 Big Apple Award.

Tess works at Williamsburg Preparatory School, a public high school located in Brooklyn, New York. She has worked at the school for three years. In her classroom, Tess develops curriculum that empowers her students to be in charge of their own learning. Her lessons emphasize learning through multiple modalities such as writing, discussion, and critique. She also develops engaging opportunities for students to make connections to real-world concepts.

Prior to her work at Williamsburg Prep, Tess taught in Madrid, Spain, where she traveled on a Fulbright Scholarship. There she d

This is not the only work that Tess has done with international students. She also worked as an ESOL Instructor and career mentor at the Irish International Immigrant Center in New York. And she also spent five months as a teaching assistant and volunteer at Foundation Minga Valpo at Valparaíso Province in Chile.

Tess graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a focus on Latin American Regional Studies from Tufts University, Massachusetts, in 2019. She earned her Master’s degree in Adolescent Education with a focus in Special Education and Teaching from Hunter College in 2023.

Congratulations, Tess!