Category Archives: Education

Nebraska’s 2018 Teacher of the Year: Sydney Jensen

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Sydney Jensen

Nebraska’s 2018 Teacher of the Year is Sydney Jensen, a 9th grade Language Arts teacher from Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska named Sydney Jensen of Lincoln as their 2018 Teacher of the Year. Sydney has taught 9th grade Language Arts at Lincoln High School since 2014.

Sydney is a native of Eatonton, Georgia. She credits her grandparents, who are both public school teachers, for the inspiration for her decision to become an educator. She also credited her own experience attending public schools. “I’m a product of public education,” she says. “I knew I wanted to be a public school teacher because I had so many great teachers who helped me,” she continues. She inaugurated her teaching career in 2013 as a seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Dawes Middle School. She has taught a total of six years.

In addition to her classroom experience, this inspirational educator is an instructional coach and certified Trainer of Trainers for the Classroom Instruction that Works model. She is also an Instructional Team Leader for the English Professional Learning Community.

For her work in education, Sydney has won several awards. She garnered a Golden Telephone Award from Lincoln High. She also earned the 2018 Lincoln Public Schools Inspire Educator Award.

“My message to all teachers is that we have to teach courageously for the sake of our students,” Sydney declares. “We absolutely must push ourselves to try new strategies, no matter how far outside of our comfort zones. This is the same message we want for our students – live and learn courageously,” she concludes.

Sydney earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Georgia in 2013, and she earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Doane University in Nebraska.

Former Massachusetts teacher and career legislator John Binienda

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John Binienda

Former teacher and career legislator John Binienda of Massachusetts.

There are many examples of fine classroom teachers who have gone on to successful careers in politics. One of these is John Binienda, Sr., an educator who also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

John was born on June 22, 1947, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was one of eight children born to Mary G. (O’Coin) and Thaddeus A. Binienda. As a youth, John graduated from Saint Peter’s High School. After his high school graduation, he enrolled first at Quinsigamond Community College, and then Worcester State University. “He was fond of the school,” commented John’s son, Jamie Binienda. “He said the college offered many opportunities for adults and traditional-age college students.” After his graduation, he became a teacher in Leicester, Massachusetts. His career as an educator spanned 18 years.

In 1986, John was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. While in office, he was known as a tireless worker who rarely missed a house vote. He served on numerous committees, including Education, Public Safety, and Ways and Means. He was the former Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue, and the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. In 2008, he worked to pass Darnell’s Law, which mandated CPR and first aid training for school-bus drivers in Massachusetts. He also co-sponsored a bill in 2012 that increased access to hearing aids for children. John once revealed that this issue became important for him when his grandson was born hearing impaired. By the time he retired, John had served 28 years in the House.

Sadly, John suffered from kidney disease and diabetes, and he passed away on August 22, 2014. He was 67 years old.

Teacher Melissa Nicholson takes her pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom every day

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Melissa Nicholson

First grade teacher Melissa Nicholson escorts her two pet pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom every day.

You’ve got to love first grade teacher Melissa Nicholson of Jacksonville, Florida. She brings her two pet pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom at the Bolles School in Ponte Vedra every day.

“I try to incorporate them into as many different learning activities as possible,” says Melissa. “They’re great when we’re learning math—measurement, weight and other lessons. My students also like to read to the pigs. They’re so expressive, and it helps the kids gain confidence in their reading. I’ve even had parents tell me the pigs are the reason their child likes to read.”

Melissa says the pigs are very well-suited to the classroom. They are hypoallergenic, so there is no danger of a student having a reaction to the animals. They are potty-pad-trained and go to the bathroom when the kids are out of the room.

Prissy, the girl, is five years old. The boy, Popleton, who prefers to be called Pop, is four years old. Both piggies love to dress up in outfits that reflect Melissa’s lesson for the day, such as reading a Dr. Seuss book for the annual Read Across America event.

To chronicle the life of her special pigs, Melissa has written two children’s books with Prissy and Pop as the main characters. The books, “Prissy and Pop: Big Day Out” and “Prissy and Pop Deck the Halls,” are available on Amazon. Prissy and Pop even have a following on Instagram.

We love it, Melissa!For more about this creative teacher and her adorable classroom pets, see the story on We Are Teachers.com.