Category Archives: Education

Montana’s Amanda Curtis: Math educator and politician

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Montana’s Amanda Curtis is a talented high school math teacher and successful politician. Photo credit: Ballotpedia.

Many talented educators also distinguish themselves as successful politicians. One example of this is Montana’s Amanda Morse Curtis, a high school math and physics teacher who has also served in her state’s House of Representatives.

Amanda was born September 10, 1979. Her working-class childhood was anything but idyllic. When she was only four years old, her parents divorced. Amanda watched her mother struggle with mental illness. The family was poor, and at times, they had to live without utilities and rely on food stamps in order to eat. Amanda saw several members of her extended family battle with drugs and alcohol. Two weeks before her high school graduation, Amanda’s younger brother killed himself while playing Russian roulette. He was only 16.

Amanda knew that education was her ticket out of poverty. After graduating from Skyview High School, she attended Montana Technology University of the University of Montana, earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2002. She then attended the University of Montana Western where she earned her teaching credential.

After earning her degree, Amanda taught math and physics at Butte Central Catholic High School from 2004-2006. From 2006-2009, she taught math at Helena Middle School, and from 2009, she taught math at Butte High School. She also served as an executive board member for the Butte Teachers Union from 2011-2012.

Amanda began her political career when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Montana House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Representing Butte, Montana, in House District 76, Amanda served two terms. She was re-elected to the Montana House in 2016. There she represented District 74 until her term expired in 2019

While in office, she was assigned to the Committees for Business and Labor; Human Services; and Local Government. She sponsored the Hire Montana First Act to create more jobs in her home state, and she fought for increased benefits for volunteer fire fighters and a repeal of state legislation against the gay community. She was also outspoken about gun violence, calling for background checks and better gun-control measures to be enacted.

Naturally, Amanda has expressed her belief in the value of a good education. “As a high school teacher, I know the importance of investing in our students,” she expressed at a 2014 rally at the University of Montana. “Education is a path forward for better paying jobs and securing our economic future,” she continued.

Amanda met her husband, Kevin Curtis, at a rock-climbing store when he was training to be a speed skater. They live in a miner’s cottage in Butte with their cat, Geoff, and their dogs, Billie and Rick. The couple does not have any children. To read more about her, click on this link to her biography on Vote Smart.

On Memorial Day: Honoring my student Jonathan Castro

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Memorial Day is a solemn day of reflection about those who have given their lives to ensure our freedoms, For me, this means honoring my former student, Corporal Jonathan Castro.  Photo credit: US Army.

Memorial Day: For many, this end-of-May holiday marks the beginning of summer vacation, bringing with it sunny days, a break from school responsibilities, the chance to sleep in late, and time to have tons of fun. Many use the extended weekend to enjoy a quick trip to the river, spend a day at the beach, plan a family barbecue, or indulge in a baseball game with friends. For teachers, the three-day weekend offers an opportunity to rest up before that final push that ends the school year. But while indulging, it’s important to remember the true purpose of the holiday: Remembering and honoring the men and women who have paid the ultimate price in order that the rest of us may enjoy our freedoms.

For me, whenever Memorial Day rolls around, one of the soldiers I remember and honor is US Army Corporal Jonathan Castro.

When he was my student in my Language Arts class for seniors at Centennial High School in Corona, California, Jonathan Castro stood out for me, mostly because he was the son of my fellow teacher and friend. But he would have been memorable in his own right. He was intelligent, studious, and ambitious, which are characteristics that any teacher appreciates. But, in addition to this, his interactions with me were always polite, he was a good buddy to the fellows, and he treated the girls with respect, which are characteristics everyone can appreciate.

When he graduated in 2001, Jonathan declared his intention to pursue a career as an engineer. His parents were willing and able to pay for his college education, but the young man wanted to spare them the expense and make his own way. He declared his intention to join the US Army before enrolling in college. He wanted to pay for his own education through the GI Bill. So the summer after his graduation, he enlisted, signing up for a three-year stint. That was just before the 9/11 attacks, and the subsequent US invasion in Iraq.

Jonathan was 21 years old when he was sent to Mosul, Iraq, with the 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade, 25thInfantry Division. On December 21, 2004, the young warrior sat down with his buddies to eat his lunch at the Army dining tent on base. As he was dining, a suicide bomber who had infiltrated the base undetected entered the tent and detonated the explosives strapped to his body. The resulting blast immediately killed 22 people, 18 of them American soldiers. One of them was Jonathan Castro.

Jonathan was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery. Frankly, the service offered little in the way of closure or comfort to the fallen soldier’s family and friends. I was only his teacher, but I felt, and I still feel, the loss in a profound way. And I can’t even begin to describe how the death of her only child devastated his family.

Memorial Day, 2021, marks the seventeenth year that memories of this remarkable young soldier have dominated my thoughts. I contemplate the awesome courage of our warriors, the widespread ravages of combat, the staggering waste of life on both sides, the so-called glory of war, and the enormous gratitude I feel to those who are willing to suffer the sacrifice, not only the men and women in the military, but also their families. The phrase “Thank you for your service,” which we utter so often to the survivors, doesn’t even begin to compensate for such a gift.

To read more about Jonathan, see this article published by the LA Times.

Educator DeWayne Bunch survived a war, but not a brawl

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Educator, politician, and veteran DeWayne Bunch survived a tour of duty in Iraq, but not a lunchroom brawl at his school. Photo credit: Ballotpedia.

As Memorial Day approaches, let’s take a moment to remember educator, politician, and veteran DeWayne Bunch, the Chalkboard Champion that survived the Iraq War, but not a lunchroom brawl.

For 17 years, DeWayne Bunch was a beloved teacher of mathematics and science at Whitley County High School in Williamsburg, Kentucky. DeWayne was also a member of the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years, and had served in the Kentucky Army National Guard as a First Sergeant. His service sent him on a tour of duty in Iraq. His valor there earned him a Bronze Star. A multi-talented individual, DeWayne was elected in 2010 to the Kentucky State House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. There he represented the 82nd District. As a legislator, he served on House Committees for Education; Veterans’ Affairs; and Transportation.

Sadly, DeWayne’s story does not have a happy ending. One morning in 2011, a brawl between two students broke out in the school cafeteria. DeWayne was the first of three faculty members who rushed in to quell the fray. Unfortunately, DeWayne took a direct punch meant for another student, was knocked to the floor, and hit his head on the hard surface. A surface described as “like slate.” Suffering from severe head and spinal cord injuries, DeWayne was rushed to the nearest hospital. What followed was a year of extensive rehabilitative therapy, during which time DeWayne resigned his position in the Kentucky House of Representatives. His wife, Regina Bunch, a special education teacher at Whitely County Middle School, was elected to fill his vacated position.

Sadly, DeWayne died as a result of his injuries just over a year later, on July 11, 2012. He was only 49 years old. Our country lost a true hero and Chalkboard Champion that day.

DeWayne was born on February 22, 1962, in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He graduated from Cumberland College in 1992 with a degree in Education. He earned his Master’s degree from Union College in 1995, in Principal Certification.

To learn more about this Kentucky veteran and educator, see his biography at Vote Smart.

Educator, veteran Demetrius Ball shares Memorial Day lessons

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Educator and US Army veteran Demetrius Ball shares lessons about his experiences in the military as part of the school’s Memorial Day observance.  Photo Credfit: PBS News Hour.

Like many teachers around on the country on this Memorial Day, educator and military veteran Demetrius Ball will probably be sharing lessons about the holiday with their students. And Demetrius has a lot to share, since he, himself, is a military veteran.

Demetrius served five years of active duty in the US Army as a field artillery officer, completing tours of duty in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and Kuwait from 2005 to 2007. He left the military in 2007, having achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Once he concluded his military service, Demetrius launched his career as a Social Studies teacher. He spent his first three years in Tracy, California, then five years in Baltimore City and Howard County in Maryland, and then returned to California. He currently serves as the principal of Iron Horse Middle School in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Through it all, he has been willing to share stories about his experiences in the military. “My first year teaching I decided to put together a presentation titled A Soldier’s Experience,” remembers Demetrius. “I take an entire class period to share my military experience with my students. The last few years I have worn my Dress Blue or Green uniform. I discuss the difficult transition that I had adapting to life as a cadet, like struggling to qualify on the range with an M16 rifle, not feeling prepared for the academic rigor, and even failing my first class ever,” he continued. “I describe my job as a field artillery officer, and the variety of missions I conducted on deployment in Iraq,” he concludes. You can read more about this Chalkboard Champion’s military experience by reading this article published by PBS News Hour.

Naturally, Demetrius takes military holidays very seriously. “When we acknowledge Veterans Day, and Memorial Day, especially, I think of all the men and women who served with energy, bravery and commitment, and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Including the freedom to teach and learn,” expressed Demetrius. We thank you for that, Demetrius.

Demetrius earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Engineering from United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. He earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Phoenix in 2008. He is currently working on his Ph.D. from Liberty University.

 

Retired teacher Rita Hart served in Iowa State Senate

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Retired junior and high school English teacher Rita Hart served her community in the Iowa State Senate. Photo credit: Rita Hart.

Many fine classroom teachers also become successful politicians. One of these is Rita Hart, a retired junior and high school English teacher who also served in the Iowa State Senate.

Rita was born on May 5, 1956, in Charles City, Iowa. Her parents owned a dairy farm. As a young woman, she earned her Associate of Arts degree from North Iowa Area Community College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

Once she completed her education, Rita inaugurated her career as a public school teacher in the Bennett Community School in Bennett, Iowa. She  taught junior and high school English for two decades at rural high schools in Eastern Iowa.

In 2012, Rita was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Iowa state’s 49th Senate District. She was one of the rare politicians who enjoyed bi-partisan support. She served in her state’s Senate from 2013 to 2019. While there, Rita served on the Committees for Education; Veterans Affairs; Local Government; and Agriculture. She also served on the Early Childhood Iowa State Board; the Human Rights Board; and the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council.

In addition to her work as a teacher and politician, Rita has worked as an international exchange coordinator at the Education First Foundation for Foreign Study. She also became Director of Community Relations at Pangaea International Academy in 2019.  She also serves her community as a liaison for the Keep Iowa Beautiful branch of Hometown Pride Committees. And as if all that were not enough, Rita is also a talented singer, being in demand as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and other events.

Today, Rita, who is now 65 years old, lives with her husband on her family’s farm in Wheatland, Iowa. To learn more about this chalkboard Champion, click on this link to the University of Iowa Archives of Women’s Political Communication.