Category Archives: Education

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.

 

Megan Mullen of Nebraska becomes a finalist for a PAEMST award

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Nebraska STEM teacher Megan Mullen has been named one of three finalists in her state for a prestigious PAEMST award (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching). Photo Credit: Megan Mullen

Congratulations go to Megan Mullen, a STEM teacher from Nebraska. She has been selected one of three teachers in her state to be finalists for a prestigious PAEMST award. The PAEMST (Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science teachers.

The PAEMST honors 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, inventors, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a visit to the White House and a $10,000 cash prize.

Megan teaches in the Paxton Consolidated School District located in Paxton, Nebraska. There she has led her eighth grade STEM class in their exploration of drone construction and flight with new Drone Maker kits. The students experimented with various arm lengths to determine how that affects flight performance. The honored teacher was able to fund the project with a John Russell Applegate Grant.

Previously, with colleague Jordan Cullers, Megan coached fifth graders on the school’s Science Olympiad team. For this effort, Megan earned an Outstanding Coach award in 2017.

Way to go, Megan!

NY teacher Christina Meek garners Big Apple Award

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Elementary school teacher Christina Mesk has garnered a 2024 Big Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education for her work promoting global education experiences. Photo Credit: New York City Public Schools

Whenever an outstanding educator earns recognition for their work with young people, I am excited. Today I am excited about New York elementary school teacher Christina Mesk, who has garnered a 2024 Big Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education.

Christina teaches Special Education to fifth graders at Public School 1, The Bergen School, located in Brooklyn. She has worked at the school for 20 years. In her self-contained classroom, Christina has create a nurturing and supportive learning environment that is student-centered. There she places emphasis in which risk-taking is encouraged.

Most especially, though, Christina’s curriculum incorporates exchanges with students in other countries. “My students have used virtual exchange to speak with travelers and experts in Colombia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Bolivia, and Antarctica,” explains Christina. “These virtual exchanges have enriched our classroom experience and helped my students to understand that people in different parts of the world have different feelings and perspectives,” she continues. “The relationships they have formed with these travelers and experts have resulted in an understanding that there is more than one way to live life and be a human,” she concludes.

The honored educator is a member of both the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program and the Transatlantic Educators Dialogue program. Also, she partners with local CBOs and nonprofits to bring virtual exchange to her classroom. In 2020, she was certified as a National Geographic Certified Educator. And as if all that were not enough, she also mentors new teachers.

Christina earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Language Arts from the University of Mount Saint Vincent in New York in 2004. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from Hunter College in New York in 2008.

To learn more about Christina’s work with the Fulbright Global Classrooms Program, click on this link to an article published by the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

Former educator LK Atwood served in the Mississippi State Legislature

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Former educator Louis Kossuth (LK)  Atwood also served two terms as a state legislator for the state of Mississippi. (Photo Credit: Mississippi State Legislature.

Many fine classroom teachers also make excellent politicians. One of these was Louis Kossuth (LK) Atwood. In addition to his work as an educator, LK served as a state legislator in the state of Mississippi.

LK was born into slavery in Wilcox County, Alabama, on Dec. 15, 1850. When he was only 18 months old, he was sold at a slave auction. He was purchased for $300 by his own mother, who then took him with her when they relocated to Ohio. As a young boy, LK went to school in Ripley, Ohio. In 1874, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. During these years, he was also ordained as a Presbyterian minister.

Once LK earned his degree, he accepted a teaching position in Bolton, Mississippi. Later he studied law and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1879. He then opened his own law practice in Bolton where he specialized in insurance law. In fact, he established precedents before the Mississippi State Legislature several times.

LK was elected on the Republican ticket to the Mississippi House of Representatives, where he represented Hinds County for two terms. The first was from 1880 to 1881, and the second was from 1884 to 1885. After he left the legislature, LK appointed to a position as a United States Internal Revenue Service collector where he worked until 1899. In addition, he was named a delegate to attend the Republican National Convention several times.

The former teacher also had experience in the business world. He founded the fraternal insurance company known as the Sons and Daughters of Jacob of America in 1883. He ran this organization until his passing. He also helped establish the  Southern Bank in Jackson and served as its president. He was president of the Mississippi Negro Bankers Association.

Sadly, LK passed away on Jan. 8, 1929, in Jackson, Mississippi. He was 78 years old. He is interred at Mount Olive Cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi.