Category Archives: Education

Caroline Boa Henderson: Teacher and Dust Bowl chronicler Posted on June 11, 2020

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High school English and Latin teacher Caroline Boa Henderson chronicled her experiences in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Photo credit: Mt. Holyoke College

I love to share intriguing stories of dedicated educators who exhibit talents in arenas outside of the classroom. This one is about Caroline Boa Henderson, a high school English and Latin teacher who is also celebrated as an author of her personal Dust Bowl survival story.

Caroline Boa was born on April 7, 1877, in Wisconsin, the eldest daughter of affluent farmers. Even as a young girl, Caroline dreamed of someday owning a piece of land she could call her own.

After her high school graduation, Caroline attended Mt. Holyoke College, where she earned her degree in Languages and Literature in 1901. The new graduate accepted her first teaching position in Red Oak, Iowa, where she taught high school English and Latin from 1901 to 1903. She then taught in Des Moines, Iowa, until 1907. Then, in pursuit of her childhood dream, Caroline relocated to Texas County, Oklahoma, where she staked out a homestead claim on a quarter section of land and moved into a one-room shack which she christened her castle. There she accepted a teaching position in the local school.

In 1908, Caroline married named Bill Henderson, a Texas County farmer. The couple established a farm in nearby Eva, Oklahoma. The following year, Caroline gave birth to a daughter they named Eleanor. When Eleanor came of age, the youngster enrolled at the University of Kansas, where she eventually completed her Bachelor’s degree. In order to help pay for Eleanor’s education, Caroline relocated to Lawrence, Kansas, where the two women shared an apartment while Caroline taught school part-time. During this period, Caroline also enrolled in graduate courses in English at the University of Kansas. In 1935, she completed the requirements for her Master’s degree.

During the years from 1931-1937, at the height of the Dust Bowl, Caroline published a series of letters and articles in the prestigious magazine Atlantic Monthly. These letters and articles chronicled the grueling conditions faced by farmers who elected to remain on their farms during the severe conditions presented by the Dust Bowl drought, as harsh a natural disaster as any our nation has seen, even in recent years. She also included descriptions of daily life on her own farm, including her experiences with housekeeping, canning, cooking, tending her vegetable and flower gardens, ironing, and caring for her chickens. Her letters and articles earned her a national following, and were included in a PBS special on the Dust Bowl created by Ken Burns in 2012. To read some excerpts from these published pieces, click on the link Letters from the Dust Bowl.

This very amazing teacher and talented author passed away on August 4, 1966, in Phoenix, Arizona.

NYC teacher Ian Weissman garners 2026 Flag Award for Teaching Excellence

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New York City teacher Ian Weissman has earned a 2026 Flag Award for Teaching Excellence. Photo credit: Flag Award

There are many excellent educators who work in New York City’s public schools. Occasionally, one of them earns recognition for their outstanding work. One of these is Ian Weissman, a high school Social Studies teacher who has garnered a 2026 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.

Ian teaches courses in history and civics that incorporate the use of AI  technology and performance. For example, he has organized an immersive project that requires his students to design and present their own political party through campaign materials and conventions. In another unit, he has used AI tools to create interactive historical simulations which require students to interview historical figures of the Berlin Conference of 1884.

Within the educational community, Ian leads professional development about AI integration and mastery-based grading. As part of the Manhattan High Schools AI Fellows initiative and the Modern Classrooms Project, he contributes to conversations about responsible use of AI, including innovative instructional practices throughout New York City schools.

In addition to the courses he teaches, Ian advises the school’s Guitar Club and the Jewish Student Group. He is also an advisor for the American Exchange Project, helping students participate in cross-country exchange experiences. And as if all that were not enough, he also serves as a Teacher-Leader for the school’s Equity Team.

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates exemplary public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. One grand-prize winner from each of the five NYC boroughs plus one 3K-5th grade teacher from any borough will receive a $25,000 cash prize, and each finalist receives $10,000. In addition, the school of each winning teacher receives $10,000, and each finalist’s school receives $5,000 to be used for arts-based initiatives designed by each winner.

 

GA educator Maretta Mitchell Taylor served as a community activist and capable politician

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Classroom teacher and community activist Maretta Mitchell Taylor served 12 years in Georgia State House of Representatives. Photo credit: CourierNews.org

Many excellent classroom teachers go on to serve as community activists and capable politicians. One of these is Maretta Mitchell Taylor of Georgia.

Maretta was born on Jan. 25, 1935. As a youngster, she was educated in the Muscogee County School System, where she was known to be an excellent student.  As a teenager, she attended William Henry Spencer High School, where she graduated in 1953. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Albany State College located in Albany, Georgia, in 1957. She earned her Master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington.

This amazing educator worked as a teacher and media specialist for 30 years, the last 20 of them spent at her high school alma mater. She retired from teaching in 1987.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Maretta was elected to the Georgia House of representatives on the Democratic tickets. She served in that body from 1990 to 2002. In fact, she was the first African American woman elected to represent Georgia House District 94 (now District 134).

While in the House, Maretta championed public education, youth advocacy, and civic equity. Gov. Roy Barnes appointed her to a special House study panel on the role of information technology in public libraries and technical institutes. She also served as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and sat on the Committees for Children and Youth; Special Judiciary; and Intergovernmental Coordination. Within the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and Women’s Legislative Caucus, she held key leadership roles, including first as the Secretary and then as the Co-Chair.

She also served as a board member for the YMCA and held leadership roles in more than two dozen civic, social, and philanthropic organizations, including the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Columbus Urban League, and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NANBPWC), where she served as National Director of Communication.

For her service to the community, Maretta garnered many accolades and honors. She was named one Fifty Most Influential African Americans in Columbus from the A.J. McClung YMCA; the Leadership 2000 Award from the Kellogg Company; the Legacy of Leadership Award; Outstanding Legislator of the Year—2000 from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators; and the Sojourner Truth Award  from NANB & PW Clubs, Inc.. She also earned The Rosa Parks Award from Columbus PUSH; Woman of Achievement from Concharity Council of Girl Scouts, Inc.; and Woman of the Year from Columbus Chattahoochee Valley B&PW Clubs) Gracious Ladies of Georgia.

Maretta Mitchell Taylor was certainly a Chalkboard Champion. Sadly, she passed away in Columbus, Georgia, on Feb. 17, 2013. She was 78 years old. She was interred at Green Acres Cemetery.

 

Former Spanish teacher Leonora Dodge of Vermont now serves in her state’s Home of Reps

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Former Spanish teacher Leonora Dodge, a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship, a Ford grant, and a Fulbright scholarship. has been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. Photo credit: Leonora Dodge

Many exemplary teachers also make very competent politicians. One of these is Leonora Dodge, a Spanish teacher from Vermont who also serves in the Vermont State House of Representatives.

Leonora was born in the United States to immigrant parents from Ireland and Mexico. She grew up in Montreal and Mexico City.

Lenora earned her Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Williams College. She earned her Master’s degree in Latin American History from the University of Texas at Austin. As part of her education, she completed college semesters in Chile and southern Spain, and studied in Guatemala for a month. A talented and hard-working student, Lenora has garnered a Mellon Fellowship, a Ford grant, and a Fulbright scholarship.

Leonora taught Spanish in public schools in the Vermont town of Essex. She also taught at Vermont Commons High School and at Champlain College, and she worked as a classroom para-educator in the Spanish Immersion Elementary program in Jericho Elementary school. Her community service includes running Spanish playgroups, coordinating children’s activities at the annual Burlington Latino Festival, and coaching world championship Odyssey of the Mind teams, Leonora also shares her love of Latinx culture by teaching inclusive and multi-age dance fitness classes and dance events through which she has raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits such as COTS, SD Ireland Cancer Research, and Steps to End Domestic Violence. In addition, Leonora completed volunteer work at HomeShare Vermont, Music Contact International, Justicia Migrante/Migrant Justice, and Essex B.E.S.T. (Building Equity, Solidarity, and Trust.

In 2022, Leonora was elected to thee Vermont House o Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represents the community of Chittenden District 23.

As a legislator, Lenora works toward correcting the current work force shortage; the need for high-quality affordable mental health care; ensuring underserved students achieve academic and social success; and balancing environmental sustainability with the need for housing to rent and buy.

Former teacher Judy Seeberger elected to Minnesota State Senate

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Former teacher Judy Seeberger now serves in the Minnesota State Senate. Photo credit: Minnesota State Legislature

Many outstanding educators also become successful politicians. One of these is Judy Seeberger, a former public school teacher from Minnesota who has been elected to serve in the Minnesota State Senate.

Judy was born in Wisconsin on Sept. 3, 1969. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, in 1991. She earned her Master’s degree in teaching from Hamline University in 2016. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from Boston University, in 1996.

After earning her Bachelor’s degree, Judy taught school for five years at the Math and Science Academy, a public charter school that serves students in grades six through twelve located in Woodbury, Minnesota. She taught there from 2016 to 2021.

Prior to the beginning of her service in the State Senate, Judy was elected to the Bayport City Council, where she served one term until she relocated to a new home in the city ofAfton. In addition, she has served on both the Bayport and Afton Planning Commissions, and she was elected to serve on the School Board of the Math and Science Academy as a teacher member. Her employment background also includes experience as a first responder. She has worked as a paramedic with Allina Health and on the Lower St. Croix Valley Fire Department.

Married to a Navy captain, Judy has also been involved in volunteer work at the Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County, an organization that serves military members, veterans, and their families in Washington County. At various periods during the six years she worked with the organization, Judy served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and she assisted in its organization and formation.

In 2022, Judy was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Minnesota’s District 41. She has served in that body since Jan. 3, 2023, and her term will expire in 2027. As a State Senator, she supports first responders, abortion access rights, increased family and medical leave programs, tax cuts, and red flag laws. She is also supportive of veterans. She has served on the Committees for Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development; Commerce and Consumer Protection; and Judiciary and Public Safety.