Category Archives: Education

NJ educator Donald Payne served in the US House of Reps

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Donald Payne

New Jersey educator Donald Payne also represented his state in the US House of Representatives. Photo Credit: US Government

In American history, there are many examples of successful educators who later became noteworthy politicians. One of these is Donald Payne, a former teacher who was elected as the first African American to represent New Jersey in the US House of Representatives.

Donald Milford Payne, Sr., was born in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, on July 16, 1934. Following his graduation from Newark’s Barringer High School in 1952, Donald enrolled on a scholarship in Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies in 1957. Later he pursued post-graduate studies at Springfield College in Massachusetts.

After his college graduation, Donald taught English and Social Studies in Newark Public Schools. He also coached football. While still a teacher, Donald became the first African American president of the National Council of YMCA. From 1973 t 1981, he served as the chairman of the World YMCA Refugee and Rehabilitation Committee.

After leaving the classroom, Donald worked for a time as an executive for the Prudential Insurance Company. He also served three terms as a Municipal City Councilman, but he had always wanted to become a Congressman. In 1988 he finally achieved that goal when he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent New Jersey’s Tenth District. “I want to be a congressman to serve as a model for the young people I talk to on the Newark street corners,” Donald said during his campaign. “I want them to see there are no barriers to achievement. I want to give them a reason to try.”

While in Congress, the former teacher served on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, including the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. In addition, he was a part of the Committee on Government Operations and on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, including the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. From 1995 to 1997, he was the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was elected to Congress a total of eleven times, and some of his wins were by the widest margins in New Jersey history.

In his later years, Donald suffered from diabetes and he experienced several small strokes, but it was colon cancer that finally claimed his life on March 6, 2012. He was 77 years old. Donald Payne: a true Chalkboard Champion.

Trent Van Leuven named Idaho’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year

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Trent Van Leuven, a Career and Technical Education teacher from Idaho, has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Idaho Dept. of Education

It is always a pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Trent Van Leuven, a secondary level Career and Technical Education teacher from Idaho. He has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Trent teaches agriculture education to students in grades eight through twelve at Mackay Junior/Senior High School in Mackay, Idaho. In his classroom, he places focus on providing experiential learning opportunities in the nine courses he instructs. “Students work on community projects, and every student serves on a committee,” explains Trent. “One such project is the annual Christmas bazaar that boasts 54 vendors. Students painted the fire hydrants in town last year, and this year they have made markers to help emergency services find hydrants in the deep snow,” he continues. Trent constructs curriculum that utilizes a fish lab, three greenhouses, and a welding lab. He also invites speakers and experts to contribute to content instruction.

In addition to classroom instruction, Trent organizes annual trips and agriculture tours with students. To date, he has traveled more than 40,000 miles through 35 states with students. And, as a special bonus, he arranges for the students enrolled in his courses to earn college credits through a dual credit program.

As if all this were not enough, Trent serves as the advisor of his school’s chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), eighth grade class adviser, and the local union president on his campus. He frequently steps up to drive a bus route or trip when resources are stretched thin. 
 
Trent earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Idaho in 2009. In a career that spans 14 years, he has spent the last nine at Mackay.

To read an article about Trent and the importance of Career and Technical Education published by the Idaho State Department of Education, click on this link.

 

NYC STEM educator Jessica Boyle garners a 2024 Sloan Award

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For her outstanding work in the classroom, New York City STEM teacher Jessica Boyle has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. Photo Credit: City of New York

When New York City science teacher Jessica Boyle leads her students in their hands-on study of human cardiovascular systems, diseases, and other scientific investigations, she is creating an exciting world of critical thinking, rigor, and experimentation that prepares her students for college and career readiness. For this outstanding work, Jessica has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.

Jessica’s passion for science can be traced all the way back to her own days as a student, when she attended a lecture by world-renowned anthropologist and primatologist Jane Goodall. That lecture triggered Jessica’s interest in physical anthropology. As a result, she completed courses in osteology, human genetics, and archeology, and even participated in a dig site in Illinois during her summers. Eventually, this passion led Jessica to complete her Master’s degree in Anthropology at New York University, an internship with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for New York City, and an internship as an anthropological consultant at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

When Jessica accepted a position as a science education teacher in 2006, she was assigned to instruct courses in biology, earth science, forensic anthropology, and anatomy and physiology. As an after school program, she introduced curriculum in human biology and disease. In 2013, Jessica was hired by the Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy, where she served as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, the Chair of the Science Department, and a Model Teacher. She also served as a mentor with the Mentoring in Medicine program where she helped under-represented students enter the medical field.

For her outstanding work as a STEM (Science, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics) educator, Jessie is one of seven educators who have garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. The award spotlights teachers who go above and beyond to help their students succeed, inspiring young people to excel in science and mathematics and to pursue careers in related fields. Each recipient receives a crystal trophy and a cash prize of $5,000. An additional $2,000 goes to the school’s Science or Mathematics Department. To learn more, click on this link to the Sloan Awards.

Hardworking, dedicated teacher Mazie Ann Fairfax graduated from Tuskegee University

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Elementary school teacher Mazie Ann Fairfax who earned her degree from Tuskegee University in Alabama. Photo Credit: The San Bernardino Sun

I always enjoy shining a spotlight on a hardworking and dedicated educator who has worked with students in our pubic schools. Today, I highlight Mazie Ann Fairfax, a popular elementary school teacher originally from Atlanta, Georgia.

Mazie was born in Atlanta on April 18, 1928. As a young girl, she attended Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. This was the church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., served as a pastor from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. In fact, The church was the location of the funerals of both Dr. King and, in its later expanded sanctuary, the late Congressman John Lewis. This is also the church where current US Senator Raphael Warnock  has been pastor since 2005. The historic church building and expanded sanctuary building are located in the historic area designated as the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historical Park.

Once Mazie graduated from high school, she enrolled in Tuskegee University in Alabama. Tuskegee is a private, historically Black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama. It was founded on Independence Day in 1881 by the Alabama Legislature. Dr. Booker T. Washington was the school’s first teacher and founding principal. The campus was designated as the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site by the National Park Service in 1974. It was there, during the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, that Mazie earned her Bachelor’s degree.

She then relocated to California, where she earned her teaching credentials. In 1965, Mazie inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position at Newman Elementary School in the Chino Unified School District. She remained in the classroom for 30 years.

Sadly, Mazie Ann Fairfax passed away at her home in Alt Loma, California, on her birthday in 2024. She was 96 years old.