Category Archives: Education

Elem teacher Constance Clayton: Philadelphia trailblazer

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Trailblazer Constance Clayton, an elementary school teacher, became the first African American and the first woman to become the Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. Photo Credit: The Philadelphia Tribune

There are many fine teachers who go on to positions of leaderships within their districts. They may even become trailblazers in the profession! One of these is Constance Clayton, who became the first African American and the first woman to become the Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.

Constance was born in Philadelphia in 1933. As a youngster, she attended the city’s Girls’ High, Jay Cooke Junior High School, and Paul L. Dunbar School. After her high school graduation, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Temple University in 1955 and her PhD from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania in 1981.

Once she earned her degrees, Constance inaugurated her career in education when she accepted a position teaching fourth grade at William H. Harrison Elementary School in North Philadelphia. She spent 16 years in the classroom. Next, between 1971 to 1972, she worked for the US Department of Labor in Washington, DC, she became the director of the Women’s Bureau for the Middle Atlantic States. Her work there involved improving the status of employment equity for women. In 1973, she returned to Philadelphia, where she became the first Director, and then the Associate Superintendent, of the Early Childhood Program for the school district.

In 1982, Constance was selected for the position of Superintendent of Schools for Philadelphia. With this selection, the former classroom teacher became the first African American and the first woman to become the Superintendent of the Philadelphia schools. She served in this role for 11 years before her retirement in 1993.

In Philadelphia, the influence of this Chalkboard Champion still goes far and wide. “She has a big heart, and there are children that still remember her from when she was a teacher, an educator, and principal,” declares colleague Howard C. Stevenson, who has known Clayton for more than 20 years. “We still hear about her contributions in that regard.”

To read more about Constance Clayton, click on this link to a story about her published in the Philadelphia Tribune.

Teacher and school counselor Minnie Steckel worked diligently on social causes

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Teacher and school counselor Minnie Steckel worked diligently for social causes that benefited women and her community as a whole.  Photo Credit: The Sioux City Journal

Teachers are among the most civic-minded individuals in American society. They work diligently for social causes that benefit their community, and society as a whole. This is certainly true about Minnie Steckel, a teacher and school counselor who became part of the poll tax repeal movement.

Minnie was born on March 19, 1890, in Woodbine, Kansas. In 1906, she enrolled at Kansas Normal School in Emporia, Kansas, completing her course of study in 1913. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, in 1917, her Master’s degree at the University of Chicago in Psychology in 1926, and her PhD from the University of Chicago in 1929.

While earning her degrees, Minnie taught school in Overbook and Burlingame, Kansas. She relocated to Iowa, where she taught in schools in Shenandoah, Blanchard, and Atlantic. By 1930, Minnie was working as a school counselor and the Dean of Women for Alabama College, a state-sponsored college for women located in Montevallo, Alabama. While there, she published many psychological and educational articles and books. She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, the Alabama Mental Hygeine Society, the American Psychological Association, the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

In addition to her work as a counselor and author, Minnie conducted important research on the voting habits of women. She discovered that the low voting rate of women in elections was primarily due to the poll tax requirement, rather than their lack of interest in politics. This revelation launched her efforts to remove the poll tax, and to promote the rights of women to vote and serve on juries. She also worked tirelessly for the repeal of policies which prevented married women from working and for equal pay for women who did the same work as men.

Chalkboard Champion Minnie Steckel passed away on December 1, 1952. Following her passing, a scholarship for women was established by the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs in her honor. To read more about her, see the article, 34 Notable Alumni of Emporia State University.

 

How can an English teacher who hates math successfully teach trigonometry?

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English teacher Amy Schwarzbach-Kang from Chicago, Illinois, got roped, unwillingly, into teaching a trigonometry class. Over time, the course became her favorite class of the day, she says. Photo Credit: Linked In

Recently I stumbled across an absolutely fascinating story about an English teacher from Chicago, Illinois, who got roped, unwillingly, into teaching a trigonometry class.

“I had always hated math. Now I suddenly found myself teaching trigonometry,” confesses Amy Schwartzbach-Kang. “I was an English teacher in Chicago Public Schools with certification in Special Education, and when my school was facing a shortage of certified Special Education teachers, I was pulled in mid-year to co-teach a junior-level trigonometry class with the math teacher,” she said.

Despite her initial unwillingness, as time passed, trig became her favorite class of the day, Amy reveals. “After spending years teaching English and reading, I was being challenged to move beyond what I had always been doing,” she says. “When you’re new to something, you have a fresh perspective. You’re willing to take risks. You’re willing to try anything because you don’t know how something should be done,” she continued.

So how would an English teacher who hates math overcome her subject-prejudice, successfully teach a course in trigonometry, and even learn to love it? You can discover her ingenious strategy in the article she wrote entitled  Learning Math by Seeing it as a Story. The article was published by Edutopia on March 26, 2019. Check it out!

Marta Garcia named Massachusetts 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary teacher Marta Garcia of Salem, Massachusetts, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Massachusetts Computer Using Educators

Congratulations to Marta Garcia, an elementary teacher from Massachusetts, who has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. The award is presented each year to a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators within the state.

Marta teaches English as a Second Language to second and third graders at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem. Before accepting a position in the Salem Public School District in 2006, she taught in California and Spain. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 23 years.

The honored teacher helps students who are new immigrants to the country overcome obstacles with the language and culture. And she wants them to feel proud about their origins. “In my daily teaching, I try to help students nurture their identities and feel proud of their origins as they acquire new ways of seeing the world through a new culture and language,” declares Marta. “I consider myself the bridge on which my students can navigate opportunities coming from both sides, without rejecting one or the other.” To achieve this goal, Marta has served on her district’s Equity Matters team, multiple curriculum committees, and numerous English-learner task forces.

For her work as an educator, Marta has earned many accolades. She earned her district’s Read Trust Excellence in Science Teaching Award. In addition, the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages nominated her for their Teacher of the Year Award.

Marta earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Valladolid in Spain. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages fro Salem State University. She first came to the United States as part of the Visiting Teachers from Spain program, and later she decided to relocate to this country.

 

Indiana’s Kathryn McHale became Director of AAUW

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Kathryn McHale started her career in the classroom in a public school in Logansport, Indiana, and eventually became the General Director of the American Association of University Women. Photo Credit: Cash County Historical Society

During the early 19th century, many excellent classroom teachers have contributed to the professional development and promotion of women. One of these was Kathryn McHale, a school teacher from Indiana who became the General Director of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Kathryn was born on July 22, 1889, in Logansport, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1919, her Master’s degree in 1920, and her PhD in 1926, all from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City.

As a young woman, Kathryn taught in a public school in her home town of Logansport for seven years, from 1910 to 1917. By the 1920s, she had achieved a full professorship at Goucher College in Maryland. She also instructed courses at New York University, Carleton College in Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota.

Kathryn was a superb classroom educator, but her dedication to the profession expanded beyond the classroom. She served on the Board of Trustees for Purdue University from 1937 to 1946. She served as a member of the National Committee for United Nations Education, Social, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She was also involved in projects for the US Office of Education, the American Association of Adult Education, the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, the Women’s Interest Section of the Advisory Council of the War Department, and the National Foundation for Education in American Citizenship.

From 1929 to 1950, Kathryn became the General Director of the AAUW. As the organization increased in membership, their work towards improving the status of women expanded. Their programs grew to include diverse social and economic problems, support for higher standards in education, and support for the arts.

In addition, Kathryn was an accomplished author. She wrote numerous articles that were published in professional journals, including the Journal of Childhood Education, Teachers College Record, Journal of Higher Education, Applied Psychology, and Psychological Clinic. She was also involved in co-authoring publications for the AAUW.

Sadly, Kathryn McHale suffered a stroke and passed away on Oct. 8, 1956, in Washington, DC. She was 67 years old. She is interred at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport.