Category Archives: Education

WV teacher Sharon Cole named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Sharon Cole of Wayne County, West Virginia, has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: West Virginia Watch

It is always exciting to share the story of an exceptional educator who has been honored for his or her work with young people. Today, I share the story of Sharon Cole, an elementary school teacher from West Virginia. She has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Sharon teaches second grade at Ceredo-Kenova Elementary School in Wayne County.  Those who visit her classroom can see obvious signs of her enthusiasm for teaching and learning. In one corner, she has created an environment that includes a Magic Tree House Reading Center, where the honored teacher emphasizes the magic of reading in a creative and energetic way. “I love every minute of being in the seven and eight-year-old world,” declares Sharon.

In addition to her work with her youngsters, Sharon has served as an active member of her school’s Leadership Team; the Hiring Committee; and the leader of the Second Grade Curriculum Team. Also, she served as Ceredo-Kenova Elementary’s Faculty Senate President. Furthermore, she has been a model for Marshall University student teachers and a mentor for future teachers.

Sharon earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Her career as an educator spans 34 years.

As the 2024 winner, Sharon travelled to the White House on May 2, 2024, for a state dinner hosted by First Lady Jill Biden. In addition, Sharon will receive a vehicle for use throughout the year from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia; $5,000 from both Highmark West Virginia and the Horace Mann Companies; a $1,000 classroom grant from the West Virginia Education Association; a two-night stay at a West Virginia state park from the West Virginia Department of Tourism; a $250 Amazon gift card and gift basket from the West Virginia Professional Educators; $500 from the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia; $500 from the West Virginia Lottery; and a tuition and lodging grant from Leadership West Virginia valued at $5,600.

Heather McCutcheon garners 2024 NY Art Educator Award

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Secondary school art teacher Heather McCutcheon has garnered the 2024 New York Art Educator Award. Photo Credit: The Creative Outpost, Inc.

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) announced on April 4, 2024, that Heather McCutcheon, a secondary school fine arts teacher, has garnered the 2024 New York Art Educator Award. Congrats, Heather!

Heather teaches at Herkimer Junior and Senior High School in Herkimer, New York. There she instructs courses in sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, introduction to computer graphics, Advanced Placement Art, and new media.

Heather says she enjoys helping her students to get involved in the community. She has organized real-world projects for her students such painting a mural at the Herkimer VFW, and a vinyl sticker design initiative that helped spread a positive message while giving students practical experience in art.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Heather serves as the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Arts in Education Coordinator. (BOCES stands for Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.) She also serves as the Co-Chair of New York State Youth Art Month. She works with teachers across the state of New York and has national engagements.

The honored educator confesses that, although she always enjoyed drawing and painting, she never took an art class until she was in the sixth grade. This is because she attended private catholic schools as a child. Nevertheless, she is an avid proponent of arts in the classroom. “The arts, and especially the arts in education in schools, helps students become well-rounded individuals,” Heather asserts. “It helps them think outside the box and use creativity.”

Her award as New York’s top art educator is not the only recognition that Heather has earned. Last year, she garnered the same honor. She also earned Art Education’s Youth Art Month Claire Flanagan Grand Award. And she earned an Apple Distinguished Education Award, enabling her to travel to Dallas, Texas, to deliver a showcase speech during the ADE Institute 2023 Americas event.

Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sculpture in 2005 and her Master’s degree in Teaching in 2006, both from the State University of New York, Oswego.

 

Michigan’s Steve Hall named 2023 National Coach of the Year

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Boys Basketball Coach Steve Hall of Detroit Cass Tech has been named the 2022-2023 National Coach of the year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Photo Credit: Cass Tech Basketball

The news is always exciting when it is about an exceptional coach who has earned honors for his work with student athletes. Today, the news is about Steve Hall, an outstanding Boys Basketball Coach. He has been named the 2023 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Steve coaches at Detroit Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. In fact, the school is his own alma mater; he graduated from there in 1988. In addition to his basketball coaching duties at Cass Tech, Steve serves as the Athletic Director and the Boys Cross Country Coach.

During last year’s season, Steve led his basketball team to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I state title in 2022-2023. His success on the basketball court, Steve believes, can be traced to his overall approach to coaching. He says he emphasizes using sports to instill important personal qualities in his young players, not only as athletes, but also as contributing members of society. “Be better today than yesterday,” he advises, “and better tomorrow than today.” He leads his young players to championships and scholarships, but Steve says that accountability, reliability, dependability, and responsibility are the most important characteristics he values.

“I believe it’s a calling,” declares Steve. “It’s something I enjoy doing, especially back at my school,” he continues. “Being a part of these kids’ lives at this point in time is something I treasure, and I think they’ll remember it forever. It’s important to me, and it’s natural for me,” he concludes.

To learn more about the National Federation of State High School Associations, click on this link to NFHS.

RI educator Crystal Bozigian named 2024 Civics Education Teacher of the Year

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Crystal Bozigian is one of two educators who have been recognized as a 2024 Civic Education Teacher of the Year in Rhode Island. Photo Credit: Crystal Bozigian

Congratulations to Crystal Bozigian. She has been recognized as one of two educators in the state of Rhode Island who have been named a 2024 Civics Education Teacher of the Year. The other is Shannon Gormley, a teacher at Central High School in Providence.

Crystal teaches at North Providence High School, her own alma mater. She has taught at the school for the past 17 years. There she instructs courses in American history, civics, American studies, psychology, and Hollywood history. She also serves as the Chair of the Social Studies Department, a position she has held since 2017.

Crystal plays an instrumental role in civics curriculum development and integration in her school’s educational program. She has organized Student Government Day activities on her campus, and Project Close Up in Washington, DC, where students are given opportunities to voice their opinions, share their ideas, and witness democracy in action.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport, and our students must understand their role to be informed, responsible, and actively engaged citizens,” declares Crystal. “Our students are our future, and I am honored to lead and learn with my students daily in the classroom and throughout the community at large,” she continues.

Crystal earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education at Providence College in 2007. She earned a Master’s degree in American Media and Popular Culture from Arizona State University in 2015. She earned a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and administration from Providence College in 2022.

The Civics Education Teacher of the Year award honors outstanding teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to and expertise in teaching civics or American government. In selecting the winners, special consideration is given to teachers who employ innovative teaching practices and experiential learning.

Kansas elem teacher Eugene Struzik garners 2024 VFW Citizenship Education Award

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Elementary school teacher Eugene Struzik III of Dodge City, Kansas, has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Photo Credit: VFW

I always enjoy shining a spotlight on an outstanding teacher who has also served our country in the military. Today, I highlight Eugene Struzik III, an elementary school teacher in Dodge City, Kansas. He has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Eugene, a veteran of the United States Air Force, teaches fifth grade at Northwest Elementary School in Dodge City. Sponsored by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 in Dodge City, Eugene was selected for the award because of his passion and dedication towards instilling a sense of appreciation and patriotism among his students and community. For example, he co-ordinated a Veterans Day activity entitled Project Mail Call: Honoring Our Veterans. Through this project, Eugene’s students wrote cards to veterans who were embarking on a Kansas Honor Flight.

Each year, the VFW selects one elementary, one middle school, and one high school teacher to receive the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher award. The honor recognizes outstanding teachers for their exceptional commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students through promoting civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism in the classroom. The award was established in 1999 and named after former VFW National Commander John Smart and retired VFW Quartermaster General Larry Maher. Eugene will be presented with a check for $1,000 which he can use for professional development and $1,000 for his school during the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, July 27-Aug. 1, 2024.

To read more, click on this link to VFW website.