Category Archives: Education

Belgian teacher Andree Geulen-Hersvovici saves Nazi children from the Holocaust

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Andree Geulen-Hersvovici, a teacher in Belgium, is credited with saving the lives of almost 1,000 Jewish children during the Holocaust. Photo credit: Old Photo Club

I am always amazed when I stumble across the story of an intrepid teacher who has done something genuinely heroic. Recently I encountered the story of Andree Geulen-Hersvovici, a teacher in Belgium during World War II. She is credited with saving nearly 1,000 Jewish children from the Holocaust.

In 1942, while teaching one day in her classroom in Brussels, Andree noticed that some of her students were wearing yellow stars sewn to their clothing. The Nazi regime mandated that Jewish citizens wear the star so they could be quickly identified when out in public, and therefore easy to target for interrogation, abuse, or even deportation.

When Andree saw the yellow stars, she was furious. Not at the children, but at the cruelty of the Nazi regime. Determined that no one in her classroom would be singled out, she directed her entire class to wear aprons so the stars would not be visible.

Later Andree joined an underground group called the Committee for the Defense of Jews. There she embarked on a dangerous mission to save as many Jewish children as she could. First, she had to convince terrified parents to give up their little ones in order to save their lives. Then she personally escorted them, sometimes by train and sometimes on foot, to hiding places in homes, convents, and orphanages. In this way, she was able to smuggle almost 1,000 young children to safety.

All the while, Andree continued to teach at the Gate de Gamont School, where 12 Jewish children were being protected in secret. Unfortunately, in May of 1943, the school was raided. Nazi soldiers stormed into the building, rousting the students and demanding to see identity papers. The terrified Jewish children were arrested.

During this raid, one of the Nazi soldiers confronted Andree and asked her, “Aren’t you ashamed to teach Jewish children?”

Andree didn’t cower. She didn’t say silent. She defiantly looked the soldier in the eye and responded, “Aren’t you ashamed to make war on Jewish children?”

Once WWII was over, Andree wouldn’t allow others to call her a hero. She simply said that she was just doing what was right. But in the truest sense of the word, she was a Chalkboard Champion.

Jazzmyne Townsend named DC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary Special Education teacher Jazzmyne Townsend has been recognized as Washington DC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, and one of four finalists for the title of 2025 National Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Jazzmyne Townsend

There are many outstanding educators working today in America’s public schools. Some of them have been singled out for special recognition. One of these is Jazzmyne Townsend, an elementary teacher from Washington DC. She has been named the District’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She has also been named one of four national finalists for the title of 2025 National Teacher of the Year.

Jazzmyne teaches second and third grade Special Education at Stanton Elementary School. Prior to teaching at Stanton, she taught pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade at Randle Highlands Elementary School from 2013—2023 and preschool and pre-K at Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain Campus from 2010—2013. So far, Jazzmyne’s career as an educator spans 16 years. 

In her classroom, Jazzmyne employs research-based and developmentally appropriate strategies to meet the diverse needs of her learners. Her proficiency in integrating culturally responsive pedagogy has increased academic achievement and fostered a sense of belonging among her students. And because she recognizes the unique challenges faced by youngsters in urban settings, Jazzmyne has been a steadfast advocate for resources that support the children from this environment.

Jazzmyne’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. For example, when she noticed many girls who were struggling with challenges both inside and outside the classroom, she started “My Sister’s Keeper,” a group to serve as a safe place for the girls to form friendships, ask questions, be vulnerable, and develop as young women.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Jazzmyne is also a published author. She has written a book for children entitled Hattie Leads the Way. The volume, published in 2023, can be found on amazon.

Jazzmyne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Howard University in 2009. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education (ACS) in 2013. Currently, she is working on her PhD.

Prescott Cogswell: Drivers’ Ed teacher and US veteran

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Longtime Drivers’ Education teachers and veteran Prescott Cogswell Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

This is probably a first for me: to write a story about a public school Drivers’ Education teacher. Yet here it is, a blog post about Prescott Cogswell, who was exactly such a teacher in Southern California.

Prescott was born on October 19, 1927, on a family farm in El Monte, a suburb of Los Angeles, during a time when that small town was still farmland. As a young man, he served a stint in the United States Navy during World War II. He was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served as an archivist. When the war was ended, Prescott returned to Southern California, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Pomona College in 1951. He then earned his Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Los Angeles.

Once he earned his degrees, Prescott taught briefly in Calexico, a city in Imperial County, situated on the border with Mexicali, Mexico. Later he relocated to the Riverside area, where he accepted a position at Riverside Polytechnic High School. There he taught Drivers’ Education, and reportedly taught many teenagers in Riverside to drive. In fact, one of his students was renowned professional baseball player Bobby Bonds. Next, Prescott spent several years working in the district’s Audio-Visual Department before deciding to return to the classroom, where he taught History at Central Middle School. He also taught for some years at Lincoln High School. Prescott retired from the teaching profession in 1985, but continued to conduct classes part-time for an additional five years as a member of the emeritus program.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Prescott served many years as an Assistant Scoutmaster, helping youngsters learn an appreciation for the outdoors by leading their monthly camping weekends.

Sadly, this accomplished educator and US veteran passed away April 19, 2025. He was 98 years old. He was interred at Riverside National Cemetery for veterans in Riverside, California.

 

New Jersey’s Ethel De Long Zande: Founder of settlement schools

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New Jersey English teacher Ethel De Long Zande helped establish a settlement school in rural Appalachia to educate mountain children. She is seen here with a mountain dulcimer. Photo credit: Pine Mountain Settlement House Collections.

Throughout American history, many fine educators have worked tirelessly to advance the cause of progressive education. One of these was Ethel De Long Zande, a teacher from New Jersey who helped establish a settlement school in rural Appalachia in the early 20th century. The school was established to educate mountain children.

Ethel was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1879. When she was young, her father and younger sister were disabled, and Ethel became their caregiver. As a teenager, her family moved to Northampton, New Jersey, and Ethel enrolled at nearby Smith College, where she attended from 1897 to 1901. She earned her Bachelor’s degree there. During her college years, she worked as a tutor and a teacher at Easthampton High School.

Once she earned her degrees, Ethel worked as a teacher at Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her career there spanned five years. In 1905, she relocated to Indianapolis, where she taught English at Manual Training High School for five years. It was then that Ethel was appointed principal of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Settlement School in Hindman, Knott County, Kentucky. The school was later known as the Hindman Settlement School. In 1912, Ethel became one of the founding members of the Pine Mountain Settlement School located in rural Harlan County, Kentucky. There she established a reputation for creating especially stimulating lessons, asking her students to write and read letters, and to engage in lively conversation, discussion, and debate.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this biography about her printed in Pine Mountain Settlement School Collections.