Category Archives: Education

AZ teacher Andrea Barallardos named finalist for Arizona ambassador for Excellence

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Andrea Barallardos, a STEM teacher from Douglas, Arizona, has been named one of five finalists for a 2024 Arizona Ambassador for Excellence award. Photo Credit: Scripts Local Media

Congratulations are due to Andrea Barallardos, an exceptional math educator from Douglas, Arizona. She has been named one of five finalists for a 2024 Arizona Ambassador for Excellence award.

Andrea teaches engineering, technical education, and physics at Douglas High School. She has worked at the school since 1999. She also serves as the Chairperson for the Science Department, and she is a STEM coach and SkillsUSA advisor. Her students have excelled so well they have even garnered gold medals in Robotics and Automation technology in 2022 and 2023, and Mobile Robotics in 2023.

Andrea has also served as the school’s cheerleading advisor. Her teams have excelled there, too. In fact, they’ve won a total of five state championships, the most current being Division III Coed Cheer in 2023. 

When she was younger, Andrea’s decision to go into the classroom was not a foregone conclusion. “If you told me in high school that I was going to be a teacher I probably would have bet you a million dollars that I wasn’t,” she remembers. But her attitude about the profession took a radical change while she was studying to be a doctor in the Philippines. That’s when she was encouraged to consider education as a career by those who observed her teaching an anatomy class. “I love teaching,” Andrea declares. “So every day when I wake up it’s not like I’m going to a job. It’s like I’m going to something fun that I love doing,” she says.

Her recognition as an ambassador for excellence is not the only honor Andrea has received. In 2023, she was named Cochise County Teacher of the Year.

Andrea earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences from Cebu Doctors’ University, Mandaue City, in the Philippines in 1998. She earned her Master’s degree in Science Education from Arizona State University in 2009.

To read more about Andrea Barallardos, click on this link to an article about her published by Skills USA Champions.

 

NJ teacher Mary Ruiz named the 2024 VFW Middle School Teacher of the Year

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Educator Mary Ruiz of New Jersey has been named the 2024 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Photo Credit: Audacity, Inc.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has named Mary Ruiz of New Jersey, a professional educator and US veteran, as their Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2024.

Each year, the New Jersey VFW Teacher of the Year award recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching patriotism to their students. Each year, a teacher at the elementary, junior high, and high school level whose classroom curriculum focuses on citizenship topics is recognized for this award.

“It is gratifying to know that my dedication to connecting our youth with military members and veterans is seen as important and noteworthy,” Mary says. “More gratifying are the rewards I receive in witnessing connections and friendships being formed through these efforts,” she continues.

Mary teaches basic reading skills in Stafford Township Intermediate School. She was nominated for the honor by VFW Post 12173. One of the classroom projects which led her to earn the recognition is a student-led food drive to homeless veterans in the area. She also organized a Veterans Day Ceremony where local veterans and student family members ate breakfast together, followed by a ceremony recognizing the veterans’ service. The event included guest speakers, a question and answer session, and veteran interaction with the fifth and sixth grade students. Also among the lessons and projects she has developed are Patriot Day lessons about 9/11, Veterans Day lessons, a Memorial Day Biography, and a Flag Walk with Flag Day lessons.

Mary earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Elementary Education. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Stockton University. She also holds teaching certificates as a Special Education teacher and Reading Specialist. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Travis Manion Foundation Spartan Leadership Program. For her work in the classroom, Mary was named as the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year in Stafford Township School District.

Before becoming a teacher, Mary served for ten years in the US Army, including two combat tours. By the time she was discharged, she had achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. But over the years, her devotion to her fellow veterans has not wavered. Outside of the classroom, Mary helps veterans transition from military service to civilian life. She also helps VFW officials organize mental health wellness programs and weekend retreats on Long Beach Island for transitioning veterans.

Math teacher Cristina Irimie, slain at Georgia’s Apalachee School, buried

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Math teacher Cristina Irimie was one of two teachers killed by a student with an assault rifle on Sept. 4 at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia. Photo Credit: CNN

Today we remember Cristina Irimie, a math teacher from Georgia. She was one of two teachers killed on Sept. 4 at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, by student Cole Gray, who was armed with an assault rifle. Her funeral was held on Sat., Sept. 14.

Two students were also among the slain. One other teacher and eight other students were wounded in the attack.

Cristina immigrated to the United States more than 20 years ago from her home country of Romania. After she established herself in this country, Cristina completed the requirements to become a teacher. She inaugurated her career as an educator in 2012. At Apalachee, she taught Algebra. In addition, she was active in Atlanta’s Romanian community and taught classes in traditional Romanian folk dance.

Students described the 53-year-old as caring and patient, and fellow educator Edward Yoon remembers his colleague fondly. “She will be dearly missed. I remember she and I would talk about how our students were doing in math, and she had understanding for the students and helped them succeed,” Yoon continued.

On the day she was killed, Cristina decided to celebrate her birthday with her students. She brought pizza and cake for her class and was in the midst of telling them corny jokes, they said, when she heard a commotion in the hallway and went to investigate.

At her funeral, Cristina was honored with a Romanian Orthodox service conducted in both English and Romanian. “We gather today to offer prayers for a noble soul,” observed the priest conducting the service. “Family members, friends, colleagues, and, in fact, many people throughout this nation and beyond are mourning the loss of a dear wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, parish member, colleague, teacher, and fellow citizen,” the priest continued.

Maryland Elem teacher Kelly Cannon earns award from SMECO

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Kelly Canon, an elementary school STEM teacher from Maryland, is the recipient of a 2024 Outstanding Teacher award from the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. Photo Credit:

Congratulations go to Kelly Cannon, an elementary school teacher from Maryland. She was the recipient of a 2024 Outstanding Teacher award from the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO).

The annual honor is awarded to 20 outstanding teachers who have taught mathematics, science, technology, and engineering courses in the school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. The winning teachers were selected for their creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods.

Kelly teaches mathematics at Mount Harmony Elementary School in Owings, Maryland.

Over the past 33 years, SMECO has recognized nearly 500 teachers in an effort to support teachers who bring real-world science and math applications into the classroom. Each honored teacher receives a plaque and a cash award.