Category Archives: Education

Covid claims life of Alabama teacher, coach Leo Davidovich, Jr.

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Special Education teacher and coach Leo Davidovich, Jr., of Odenville, Alabama, succumbed to Covid on Sept. 23, 2o2o. Photo credit: CBS 42.

With sadness, we regret to report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator and coach. Leo Davidovich, Jr., a middle school teacher in Odenville, Alabama, sucumbed to the disease on Sept. 23, 2020. He was only 47 years old.

Leo taught special education in a small group setting at Odenville Middle School in the St. Clair County School District. He had a reputation for reaching his students with engaging lessons that emphasized the development of functional life skills. He worked tirelessly to make his lessons applicable to his students, and he strongly believed students should be able to use the skills from his classroom later in life. “Leo was beloved by all his students at OMS,” recalled his wife, Cindy, “because his students knew how much he cared for them and loved them.”

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Leo served as the Assistant Softball Coach for nearby Drew Middle School. He also coached travel softball and basketball. He was the Founder and Head Coach of the Thunderstruck Softball Team.

Leo was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 28, 1972. He graduated from Mifflinburg Area High School in 1991. Later he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lycoming College. Lycoming is a nationally-ranked private college located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. During his undergraduate college years, Leo was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity. Leo earned his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Leo and his wife also owned a family farm in Lincoln, Alabama. Many of his days off from teaching and coaching were spent working on his farm.

To read more about Leo, click on the story about him at this link to CBS 42.

Olive Mann Isbell taught during the Mexican American War

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Author Terry Lee Marzell shares the remarkable story of Olive Mann Isbell, pioneer teacher who taught her students in a school established in California’s Santa Clara Mission while the Mexican American War raged all around them. Here is a short video that tells a bit more of the story of this remarkable Chalkboard Champion.

Ohio’s Megan Rodgers earns VFW National Citizenship Award

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Congratulations to Megan Rodgers, an elementary teacher from Brookfield, Ohio, who has garnered a VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for 2020.

I always enjoy sharing stories about accomplished educators who have been honored for their work in the classroom. One of these is Megan Rodgers, an elementary teacher from Ohio who has garnered a VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Megan teaches fourth-grade at Brookfield Elementary School in Brookfield, Ohio. She  has been selected for a 2020 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the elementary level. Megan was sponsored by VFW Post 7538 in Struthers, Ohio. She was chosen for her creative qualities, outstanding character, and frequent efforts to organize field trips, activities, and services to help her students learn about and recognize America’s veterans and their military service.

Megan’s family has a history of service to our nation, and this has helped her teach students patriotism, civic responsibility, and patriotism. From coordinating a school-wide wall of honor to spotlight veterans and writing cards for veterans and deployed service members, to organizing school trips to Washington, DC, and the 9/11 memorial in Austintown, Ohio, Megan’s passion and initiative are present daily in her classroom and throughout the school.

Each year, the VFW recognizes one national winner at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each honoree receives a $1,000 prize for professional development, and an additional $1,000 for their school. Each recipient also receives a pair of commemorative plaques, one for their school and one to keep.

To read more about Megan, see this story printed in News on the Green.

 

NM Special Ed teacher Leo Lugo succumbs to Covid-19

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With sadness, we report that New Mexico Special Education teacher Leo Lugo succumbed to  Covid-19 on  Oct. 6, 2020. Photo credit: El Paso Times.

With great sadness we announce that yet another educator has succumbed to Covid-19. Leo Lugo, a Special Education teacher in New Mexico, passed away on Oct. 6, 2020. He was 56 years old.

Leo worked at Chaparral High School in the Gadsden Independent School District. Chaparral is a small, unincorporated community near the Texas city of El Paso. The military installations of Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range are nearby.

Although his career as an educator spanned only one year, he made a positive impact on his students. Victoria Lopez, Principal of Chaparral High, recalled that he was a very kind and caring individual who truly wanted the best for his students.

Friend Jacqueline Bravo agreed. “He would always say, ‘echele ganas,’ which means keep going. He would always be like, ‘echele ganas’ Jackie, like you can, you can do it, like we’re almost done and stuff like that,” she remembered. ” think he would want to be remembered as someone–like a good representative of El Paso, and not only that, but a very strong motivating and uplifting man,” she continued.

Before his career as an educator, Leo worked for several Spanish language radio stations, including Estrella 103.1-FM. His career as a radio personality lasted for more than 20 years.

To read more about Leo Lugo, click on this link to his story published by the El Paso Times.

 

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks about great teachers…

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama reflects on the importance of great teachers.

“We all remember the impact a special teacher had on us—a teacher who refused to let us fall through the cracks: who pushed us and believed in us when we doubted ourselves; who sparked in us a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning. Decades later, we remember the way they made us feel and the things they inspired us to do—how they challenged us and changed our lives. So it’s not surprising that studies show us that the single most important factor affecting students’ achievement is the caliber of teachers,” expressed former First Lady Michelle Obama.

“When we think about the outstanding qualities that make an outstanding teacher—boundless energy and endless patience; vision and a sense of purpose; the creativity to help us see the world in a different way; commitment to helping us discover and fulfill our potential—we realize: These are also the qualities of a great leader,” she said.