Category Archives: Education

The amazing Tidye Pickett: Olympian and teacher

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Many fine educators have also distinguished themselves in the field of sports. This is true of Tidye Pickett, an Olympic athlete from Illinois who taught school in East Chicago Heights. Photo credit: Alchetron.

There are many examples throughout American history of talented educators who have also distinguished themselves in the field of sports. One such example is the remarkable Tidye Pickett.

Theodora Anne Pickett was born on November 13, 1914, in Chicago, Illinois. Known by everyone as Tidye, she was the second of two children born to Louis and Sarah Pickett. Her father was a foundry foreman, and her mother was a factory clerk.

As a teenager, Tidye took up running. She quickly established a reputation as a high school track star at her alma mater, Englewood High School in Chicago. She was one of two African American women selected to represent the United States women’s track team in the 1932 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. She was scheduled to serve as part of an eight-woman relay team and as an alternate sprinter in the 80-meter hurdles, the broad jump, and the 100-meter sprint, but did not actually compete in those games. When the 1936 games rolled around, Tidye was again selected to represent the United States. Unfortunately, a foot injury prevented Tidye from medaling in those games; however, she did earn the distinction of being the first African American woman to compete in an Olympic Games.

Tidye earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College in Chicago and her Master’s degree in Education from Northern Illlinois University in August, 1956. Following her college graduation, Tidye accepted a position as a teacher at Cottage Grove Elementary in East Chicago Heights. She taught there for just one year, and then the talented educator was promoted to the position of principal of Woodlawn School in the same district. She remained in that position for 23 years until her retirement in 1980. In recognition for her many years of distinguished service, the district renamed her school Tidy A. Pickett School.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away on November 17, 1986, at the age of 72.

Scott Thannum of Texas garners DAR Outstanding Teacher Award

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Congratulations to Texas educator Scott Thannum, who has garnered an Outstanding American History Teacher Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Photo credit: Southlake Style.

I always enjoy sharing stories about teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Scott Thannum, a teacher from Texas who has garnered an Outstanding American History Teacher Award from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

In a career that has spanned over 31 years, Scott has taught at Carroll Independent School District for the past seven of them. He teaches Advanced Placement and College Prep US History courses at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas.

Scott is thoroughly dedicated to the profession of teaching. “It’s a passion of mine,” he revealed. “So many things happening in this day and age have precedent in the past. Understanding the past helps us to build a better future. That’s my goal for my students — not only knowing history, but putting themselves into the story, finding their own voice and make this country a better place going forward,” he continued.

His students value the dedication. “He made a personal connection with everyone he taught, which made us feel valued,” remarked of Scott’s students. “His honest and unbiased retelling of history was refreshing and appreciated by students from all backgrounds, and it made us want to become better citizens in both our community and our country as a whole,” the student continued. “To us, he is much more than a teacher… he is a mentor and a role model,” the student concluded.

To learn more about Scott Thannum, see this article about him published by Southlake Style.

Qorsho Hassan named Minnesota’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Qorsho Hassan of Minnesota has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Sahan Journal.

Teachers typically work very hard to create an atmosphere of inclusion in their classrooms. One teacher who has been recognized for doing this is Qorsho Hassan, an elementary school teacher from Minnesota. She has just been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Qorsho, a Somali American educator, currently teaches fourth grade at Echo Park School in Burnsville, Minnesota. Before that, she was an educator in Ohio and taught in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is her ninth year in the classroom.

The honored educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from The Ohio State University. She has completed additional course work in Early Childhood Education from Ashland University, located in Ashland, Ohio. In addition, Qorsho is a Fulbright scholar.

Widely-respected, Qorsho is known for being deeply committed to cultivating a community of global citizens in her classroom. She has been recognized for working diligently to create a classroom filled with high expectations, representation, and love. “She has a way of connecting with kids and honoring where they’re at and where they’re from and making sure that they know they’re valued for who they are, not what they’re going to be,” remarked colleague Laurel Mirs. “She grows with them.”

Through Qorsho’s research on the most relevant teaching methods, her reflection on current practices, and her carefully constructed lesson plans, the honored educator provides instruction that is engaging, culturally reflective, and meaningful. She maintains and relies on authentic relationships with her students and parents to teach effectively. Additionally, Qorsho knows how important it is for students to have teachers of color, and she has become a strong voice for educators of color throughout the state of Minnesota.

To learn more about Qorsho Hassan, see this article and video published by KARE-11.com.

Former teacher Kara Laricks earned acclaim in fashion

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Former elementary school teacher Kara Laricks has enjoyed acclaim as a fashion designer. Photo credit: Kara Laricks

Many talented educators have earned acclaim in fields other than education. One outstanding example of this is Kara Laricks, a former fourth grade elementary schoolteacher who is also an acclaimed fashion designer.

Kara hails originally from Overland Park, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Kansas in 1995. In 2000, she completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the same institution.

Once she completed her education, Kara taught fourth grade for ten years. “I love teaching,” she once expressed in an interview for Curve Magazine. “I love that career.” The talented teacher says she always told her students to be true to themselves. Finally, she decided to take own advice and pursue her dream of a career in fashion.

But teaching is not her only passion. Kara once said that she has loved design ever since she was a child. To further that interest, she enrolled at the Academy of Art University on a scholarship from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). She earned her Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design there in 2008. That year, the artistic academic was selected as one of nine MFA students to present their senior collection at New York Fashion Week in Fall, 2008.

In 2012, at the age of 38, Kara became a contestant on the first season of the reality show Fashion Star, where her designs garnered her the first place trophy. Rolling Stone Magazine credited the show with embracing the avant garde designer and commended the buyers, especially Macy’s, for thinking outside the box and selecting Kara. The former teacher was awarded a grand prize of $6 million of purchases by Macy’s, H&M, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Covid claims life of retired Wyoming teacher George Geyer

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Teacher George Geyer succumbed to Covid-19 on August 20, 2021. Before his retirement, he taught History at Burrell High School in Burrell, Pennsylvania. Photo credit: Cowboy State Daily.

Sadly, educators continue to contract Covid-19. Retired teacher George Geyer of Wyoming is one of the most recent to succumb to the disease. He passed away on August 20, 1921. He was 81 years old.

The fallen teacher was born on June 7, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a youngster, George attended Springdale High School. After his graduation, he earned his degree from Grove City College, where he graduated in 1964. Grove City College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Grove City, Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1876 as a normal school to train teachers. As an athlete, George played football for both his high school and his college teams.

Until his retirement from the teaching profession in 1995, George taught history at Burrell High School, located in Burrell, Pennsylvania. He also served as his school’s football coach there.

Upon retirement, George relocated to Livingston, Montana, where he continued to coach football. For the past six years, he also worked in the Wyoming State Legislature in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Most recently, he worked as a doorman, a post he held since 2017. In that role, the former educator was responsible for both security and decorum at the Capitol. Positions like George’s are not high-paying and are often staffed by retirees. “They’re basically volunteers,” remarked Rep. Steve Harshman (R-Casper), who said he talked to Geyer every morning during the session.

As if all these responsibilities were not enough, George was active with Cheyenne Frontier Days, volunteering on the ticket committee and the parade committee, where he organized the youth program for the rodeo. The youth program was designed to recruit students aged 13 to 18 years of age to take the place of older volunteers who were retiring from rodeo duties. Under his watch, George was able to grow the program to 45 young volunteers. “The students are really crushed,” observed Rep. Harding. “The youth just absolutely adored him.”

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this story published by the Casper Star Tribune.