Category Archives: Education

Retired music teacher Beth Herrington honored with life-size bronze statue

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Retired music teacher Beth Herrington of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, has been honored by her town with a life-sized bronze statue in recognition of her contributions to education and her community. Photo credit: Tahlequah Daily Press

There are many fine educators who serve not only their students, but also their entire community. One of these is Beth Herrington, a retired music teacher from Tahlequa, Oklahoma. And her town is immensely grateful to her! She has been honored with a life-sized bronze statue to show their thanks.

Beth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequa, Oklahoma, and her Master’s degree in Music at George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. She also completed post-master’s work at the University of Tulsa and completed additional courses in Organ Performance from the University of Arkansas.

Before her retirement, Beth taught elementary and secondary music for 48 years in Tahlequah Public Schools. She also taught continuing education music classes at NSU. Furthermore, she traveled throughout Oklahoma to conduct professional development on best methods for music instruction.

In addition to music, one of Beth’s passions is history. “In my day, a classical education included history, literature, music, and art, and the diversity in the world. That was a classical education, so I’ve always been interested in history,” recalls Beth. In fact, she has authored three books and numerous articles that have been published in journals of music, history, and geneology. One of Beth’s books is Tahlequah Facts and Folklore. The volume describes the history of education in her area, including information about the first teachers in the town. In addition, Beth serves as the current Chair of the City of Tahlequah Historic Board.

Beth is also passionate about helping up-and-coming educators. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), a prestigious professional organization that promotes the professional success of women educators. In fact, she served two years as the President of the Oklahoma Gamma Beta Chapter. She has served as Oklahoma State Organization president, the parliamentarian, and other offices at the state level. In addition, Beth has served DKG by helping to organize international conferences and conventions.

For her service to education and to her community, the town of Tahlequah has honored Beth with a street named in her honor and a life-sized bronze statue. In addition, she has garnered other awards, including the Tahlequah Public Schools Teacher of the Year (twice,) the Kiwanis Member Service Award, the Soroptimist Member Service Award, and the Tahlequah First Baptist Church Member Service Award.

Former teacher Carolyn Comitta now serves as Pennsylvania legislator

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Former teacher Carolyn Comitta has served her community in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania State Senate. Photo credit: Comitta Official Senate Website

Many fine educators also make accomplished politicians. One of these is Carolyn Comitta, a teacher who has served in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Carolyn was born in Buffalo, New York, but relocated to Pennsylvania as a toddler. When she grew up, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1974. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1989. From 1974 to the 1985, Carolyn worked in the Octorara Area School District as a classroom teacher and as a curriculum specialist in special and gifted education.

After leaving the classroom, Carolyn worked in her husband’s business, Thomas Comitta Associates, Town Planners and Landscape Architects. And then she inaugurated her career in public office when she ran for and was elected to the West Chester Borough Council. She served in that role from 2006 to 2010. Then, in 2010, she became the first woman to be elected mayor of West Chester, where she served from 2010 to 2017.

Following her service as mayor, Carolyn was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. She represented the 156th District from Jan. 3, 2017 to Nov. 30, 2022. She has served in the Pennsylvania State Senate representing the 19th District since Jan. 56, 2021. In the Senate, she serves as Minority Chair of the Agriculture & Environmental Resources. She is also a member of the committees for Education; Aging & Older Adult Services; Health & Human Services; and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness.

Today, Carolyn is an active member of World Information Transfer, a nonprofit United Nations non-governmental organization focused on educating people and communities about the connection between the environment and public health. She is also actively involved in several community organizations, including the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of West Chester, and the League of Women Voters. In addition, she has served on various boards at her alma mater, West Chester University.

 

Oregon STEM teacher Ranjani Krishnan garners coveted 2023 PAEMST Award

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Computer science and mathematics teacher Ranjani Krishnan from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST Award. Photo credit: Lincoln High School

There are so many talented educators who have earned recognition for their expertise, creativity, and hard work in the classroom. One of these is Ranjani Krishnan, a high school  STEM teacher from Portland, Oregon. She has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST award.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Ranjani teaches computer technology and mathematics at Lincoln High School in Portland. She has worked there for seven years. Her efforts include participating in an annual schoolwide student-led Wellness Fair on her campus. During the pandemic, she orchestrated student research that resulted in a 3-D prototype of a face shield designed to protect health care workers in her city.

In addition to her work with students, Ranjani is also an accomplished musician. Her first album, released in 2015 and entitled Cream of Portland, offers musical selections that are a composite of many musical styles, Indian Classical, Flamenco, Balkan, North African, Jazz, Celtic, and Country.

The honored educator earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and another in Music Theory and Composition, both from Reed College in Portland. She earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana at Champaign, and a second Master’s degree in Mathematics Teacher Education from the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

Georgia teacher Susan Allgood garners VFW Citizenship Education Award

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Middle school English teacher Susan Allgood of Toccoa, Georgia, has garnered a 2023 Smart Maher National citizenship Education Teacher Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Photo credit: Veterans of Foreign Wars

As role models for young people, teachers often emphasize the qualities of patriotism and good citizenship in their young students. One teacher who does this exceptionally well is Susan Allgood, a middle school teacher from Toccoa, Georgia. She has been recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for her excellence in efforts to ensure  her students understand duty to country while honoring the service and memory of America’s veterans. The organization has honored her with a 2023 Smart Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Susan teaches seventh and eighth grade English/Language Arts at Stephens County Middle School in Toccoa. She was selected for the honor because she encouraged not only the students in her classroom, but also every student on her campus to participate in the VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen essay contest. To inspire the young authors, she shared novels and biographies about veterans, the military, and our nation’s history into her curriculum.

In addition to sharing the stories of veterans and promoting the essay contest, the honored teacher organized field trips to New York City to visit the memorial built at Ground Zero. She teaches lessons about the devastation and aftermath of Sept. 11. And she encourages her students to recognize that they can make a difference in the world around them.

It makes perfect sense that Susan would emphasize the role of veterans in her curriculum. She has two sons who are on active duty in the military. Because of this, she understands firsthand how important it is to connect the military and veterans with young people.

To learn more about Susan Allgood and the prestigious award she has won, click on the following link to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.