Category Archives: Education

Krista Stanley named Florida’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Krista Stanley, a sixth grade math teacher from Okeechobee, Florida, has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education.

I enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have been recognized for their work in the classroom. One of these is Krista Stanley, a middle school teacher from Okeechobee, Florida. Krista was named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from over 176,900 public school teachers for the honor.

As a youngster, Krista graduated from Okeechobee High School in her home town. She then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Florida State University in 2016.

Krista inaugurated her career as an educator four years ago when she accepted a position at Yearling Middle School in her home town of Okeechobee. The school’s population is described as high poverty and high diversity. She teaches sixth grade mathematics there.

According to David Krakoff, Principal of Yearling Middle School, 86% of Krista’s students earned a proficient score on the Florida State Assessment in 2019. “Krista has mastered the art of meeting the needs of all our students,” asserted Krakoffl. “She is the model of what we can accomplish.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Krista serves as a coach for her colleagues, a mentor for new teachers, a team leader for the other sixth-grade teachers, and a district math representative. In addition, Krista supports her colleagues through curriculum development, textbook adoption, and professional development.

As the 2021 Florida Teacher of the Year, Krista will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, working to create increased public awareness of Florida’s outstanding teachers and elevating the education profession. In addition, she will receive a check for $20,000, and a two-year Florida College scholarship worth $8,000 to present to a student of her choice, according to the Florida State Department of Education.

Congratulations, Krista! To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article about her published by the Florida State Department of Education.

Voc Ed teacher Michael Bammer helped graduated students succeed

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Vocational education teacher Michael Bammer of Lapeer, Michigan, was determined to help his students succeed, even after they graduated from high school. Photo credit: Muir Brothers Lapeer.

Many educators are beloved for going the extra mile to help their students. One of these was Michael Bammer, a vocational education teacher from Lapeer, Michigan. He was so determined to help his students succeed, he even bought them a house to live in while they were pursuing their education after graduating from high school.

Michael was born on November 26, 1961, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was a long-time resident of Lapeer, Michigan, where he lived with his wife and three children. As a young man, he worked in a variety of jobs related to the automotive industry, including working in an auto service center, a full-service gas station, and an auto repair facility. He even owned his own automative repair business for a while.

It was Michael’s ability to explain mechanics to his customers led him to pursue a career as a vocational education teacher. He began as a para-professional in Automotive Technology at Lake Orion High School. There he discovered a passion for the teaching profession. After he moved on to a position as a para-professional in Agricultural Mechanics at Lapeer County Vocational and Technical Center (Ed-Tech) in Attica, he decided to pursue a formal education. He completed first his Associate’s degree and then his Bachelor’s degree, while simultaneously teaching adult education classes in Automotive Technology. Ultimately, he added a Master’s degree to his accomplishments. In 1998, Michael became a full-time teacher of Agricultural Mechanics. The program later became Diesel Technology.

Mike’s widow, Grace Bammer, remembered that her husband would go to great lengths to help his students succeed, even after they graduated fro high school. “A lot of the kids went on to a tech college in Lima, Ohio, and Mike would help them get scholarships,” she recalled. “Housing, though, was still more expensive than many of them could afford. So we bought a house down there for these kids from Lapeer to live in while they attended school,” she continued. “Mike wanted these kids to succeed and showed them that hard work really is the answer,” she concluded.

Sadly, Michael Bammer passed away on March 10, 2021, from complications associated with Covid-19. He was 59 years old. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this obituary printed by The County Press in Lapeer, Michigan.

Terry Lee Marzell encourages a visit to the International Spy Museum

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Retired educator and author Terry Lee Marzsell, who recently visited the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, encourages teachers and students to explore the museum’s resources.  Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell.

As a retired teacher, I know that educators who are still working in the classroom enjoy leading their students to a variety of academic activities. Field trips, virtual tours, and academic websites are among the most fascinating educational activities we can share. Recently I traveled to Washington, DC, where I was able to participate in an exploration of the International Spy Museum. I was there side-by-side with a number of groups of school students who were excited to be able to spend the day at this unique museum.

If you, like many educators, are unable to escort your students to the museum, you can still explore the exhibits through online resources at this link: Spy Museum. On the museum website, students can see information about code breaking, sabotage, spying that shaped history, interrogation, and surveillance. For an overview of notorious spies and spymasters throughout time and to learn about tools used to carry out spy missions, your students can click on this link to Stealing Secrets. They can view resources related to covert action, sabotage, secret soldiers, and propaganda at this link: Covert Action.

If you and your students are able to visit in person, you will find the museum at 700 L’Enfant Plaza, SW in Washington, DC. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm every day. The cost is $24.95 for adults and students over age 12. While there, maybe your students would like to opt for a fictional cover identity and engage in activities that would test their spy sills on a fictional undercover mission. There’s also a fun museum shop with a plethora of novelty items and clothing items for sale. Enjoy!

South Carolina’s Mamie Garvin Fields: Chalkboard Champion and activist

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South Carolina’s Mamie Garvin Fields was a true Chalkboard Champion and indefatigable community activist. Photo credit: Blackthen.com

Many talented educators also become well-known for their community service and activism. One of these is Mamie Garvin Fields, a teacher and principal from Charleston, South Carolina.

Mamie was born on August 13, 1888, in Charleston. As a young girl, she attended Miss Anna Eliza Izzard’s School, the public Shaw School, and then Claflin College. At Claflin, she completed her high school education, earned her degree in Domestic Science, and completed the requirements for her teaching license.

Mamie inaugurated her career as a teacher in 1908 at Pine Wood School, which served primarily African American students in those days. The following year, she became one of the first African American teachers to be hired to work in public schools in Charleston County. Later she became the principal of Miller High School on Johns Island, a position she served for two years.

Mamie left the classroom to marry and raise a family, but she returned to the classroom in 1926. She accepted a teaching position at the Society Corner School,. She taught there until her retirement in 1943.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Mamie was active as a member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NACWC) and the Charleston Federation of Colored Women’s Club. In addition, she in 1927 co-founded the Modern Priscilla Club of Charleston. Once she retired, the indefatigable educator volunteered in many local civid organizations and women’s clubs. She joined the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, served as President of the South Carolina Federation of Colored Women’s Club from 1958 through 1964, and as the Superintendent of the Marion Birnie Wilkinson Home for Girls located in Cayce, South Carolina from 1960 to 1963.

As if all this were not enough, she wrote her memoir, which she entitled Lemon Swamp and Other Places. The volume, published in 1983, covered her life and work in South Carolina from 1888 until her passing.

For her work as an educator and activist, Mamie earned many accolades. She was named the state’s Outstanding Oder Citizen from the South Carolina Commission on Aging.

Mamie passed away on July 30, 1987, in her home town of Charleston, South Carolina. She was 99 years old. To read more about this remarkable Chalkboard Champion, see the entry about her published in the South Carolina Encyclopedia.

 

Sara Wyffels of Arizona garners 2021 Teacher of the Year Award

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Congratulations to Sara Wyffels, a Spanish language educator from Chandler, Arizona, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: AZ Big Media.

Congratulations to Sara Wyffels, a Spanish language educator from Chandler, Arizona, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Sara was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in Kent, Washington. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, in 2002. Her studies there included a study abroad experience in Segovia, Spain. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching from the University of Portland in 2004. In addition, she is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. Her career as an educator has spanned 14 years.

Once she earned her degrees, Sara inaugurated her career as an educator at a middle school Spanish in West Linn, Oregon for two years before relocating to Arizona. Currently, Sara teaches high school Spanish Language Arts through the Chandler Online Academy associated with Chandler High School. The courses she teaches include Honors Spanish 3, International Baccalaureate Advanced Placement, and Spanish 4.

Sara says she doesn’t consider herself to be the person in the classroom who owns the knowledge. “I prefer to be into the curiosity with the students and to grow with them and to discover together, that it’s not just coming straight from me, but that collectively we’re building knowledge and learning skills together,” the honored educator explained.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Sara serves her school as the advisor for the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and the Gender Alliance Club. She is also the Chair for her school’s World Language Department.

Sara says she became a teacher to make a difference. “I choose to teach and I choose to remain a teacher. Being a teacher is one of the most fulfilling careers an individual can have because you’re changing lives,” asserts Sara. “As a Spanish  teacher, I see firsthand how the power of language  inspires human connection. Teaching language isn’t just about learning new vocabulary; it’s opening the eyes of my students to a world beyond themselves and teaching them how to be global citizens,” she concluded.

To read more about this exemplary educator, see this story about her published online by azcentral.com.