Category Archives: Education

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.

Science teacher Donna Gradel recognized as Oklahoma’s 2018 Teacher of the Year

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Donna Gradel

Oklahoma’s Donna Gradel, a science teacher and girls’ basketball coach at Broken Arrow High School,  recognized as 2018 Teacher of the Year

Oklahoma’s 2018 Teacher of the Year is Donna Gradel, a high school science teacher and girls’ basketball coach. Donna has taught at Broken Arrow High School in northeastern Oklahoma near Tulsa for 21 years. She taught in West Virginia for seven years before moving to Oklahoma.

Throughout her career, Donna has led her students in projects that explore ways they can help improve their local environment. The students have already helped their city to develop and implement low-cost,solar-powered solutions that improve the city’s water quality. The students have also worked on developing aquaponic systems to help feed people living in poverty in Kenya.

Donna once said that  there are three principals at the core of her practice as an educator. “Number One: All students can learn regardless of their starting point, she declared. “Number Two: All students have a sense of purpose, and they want to make a difference in the world,” she continued. “And Number Three: All students need to know that their teacher has a genuine concern for them and is willing to be their champion,” she concluded.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Donna serves as her school’s Science Department Chair and is an advocate for STEM curriculum and facilities. In 2015, she was one of ten educators throughout the nation to the receive the Henry Ford Innovation Nation Innovative Teacher Award. She was the recipient of the 2017 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators which recognized her innovative approach to environmental education. And as if all this were not enough, Donna has also coached her school’s girls’ basketball team to a state championship.

Donna earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1982 and her Master’s degree in 1983, both from West Virginia University.