Category Archives: Education

TN teacher Melissa Shirk teaches elem students about agriculture

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Elementary school teacher Melissa Shirk has been named the recipient of an Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award. Photo credit: Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Those of us who live in an urban environment sometimes forget that many educators work in rural environments, and they are Chalkboard Champions deserving of recognition, too. One of these is Melissa Shirk, an elementary school teacher from Tennessee who has been named the recipient of an Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award from the American Farm Bureau Foundation.

The award is given annual to an educator in grades K-12 who has demonstrated involvement in agricultural literacy. Each recipient receives a $1,500 scholarship to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in June.

“Many of my students are surrounded by dairy farms, crop farms, and beef and pork producers,” explains Melissa. “I want to continue my knowledge of agriculture and provide my students with current resourceful information and activities to promote the science, engineering, technology, and mathematics of all agricultural areas through Ag in the Classroom,” she declares.

Melissa teaches at Loudon Elementary in the rural farming community of Philadelphia in east Tennessee.

Today’s Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation has a membership of more than 679,000 family members and is the largest state Farm Bureau in the nation.

 

Alaska names Catherine Walker as the 2024 State Teacher of the Year

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Science teacher Catherine Walker of Anchorage, Alaska, has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Anchorage School District

Our nation’s students are fortunate to have such dedicated and capable teachers in the classroom. One of these is high school science and career technology educator Catherine Walker of Anchorage, Alaska. She has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for her state.

Catherine teaches oceanography, marine biology, unmanned aviation science, and Project Lead the Way engineering essentials to students in grades nine through 12 at Dimond High School in Anchorage. She has taught there since 2006. In addition to instructing her courses, she also sponsors the Battle of the Books, the Gender Sexuality Alliance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Guardian, and the National Ocean Science Bowl clubs. And as if all that were not enough, she also teaches courses for educators new to science at Prince William Sound College.

Alaska is not the only place where Catherine put her knowledge of the environment into practice. She also served in the Peace Corps in Mali from 2002-2004 as a Natural Resource Management Volunteer.

Catherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. In addition, she completed the Semester in Environmental Science at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In 2019, she earned her National Geographic Educator Certification and attended the National Geographic Education Summit in Washington, DC. Furthermore, she is a 2023 Earthwatch Project Kindle Fellow and a 2023 Lindblad National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. 

Her selection as Alaska’s Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition Catherine has received. In 2023, she was honored with the Alaska Marine Science Outreach Award, the National Science Teaching Association’s Shell Science Teaching Award, and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association Teacher Grant. In 2015, she garnered a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She has also won the Eleanor B. Schick Award for Environmental Excellence from Brandeis University. Furthermore, she is a member of the Pacific Ocean Educators Network and a board member for the Alaska Society for Technology in Education. 

NM elem teacher Magali Gomez garners 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award

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Elementary school teacher Magali Gomez of New Mexico garners prestigious 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

There are many excellent public school teachers who deserve recognition. One of them is Magali Gomez of Deming, New Mexico. She has garnered a prestigious 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award.

Magali teaches fifth graders at Ruben S. Torres Elementary School. In her classroom, she emphasizes project-based learning in her curriculum. For example, she teaches her students how to use data-trackers to chart their own growth as they learn new sight words; incorporates color-coded strategies for teaching math; and teaches communications skills through a hands-on journalism project that encourages students to use data-driven journalism techniques to inform their writing.

And the results of Magali’s efforts are measurable. “Her ability to adapt the latest evidence-based teaching models to relatable lessons for her students has produced tremendous academic achievement growth in reading, math, and language,” declares Dr. Arsenio Romero, New Mexico Secretary of Public Education.

Magali’s leadership extends beyond her classroom, into the school campus and the local community. She is viewed as a leader and mentor among her colleagues. She also serves as a court-appointed advocate for foster children; an honorary board member of Playsharity, a hands-on children’s museum; and an adjunct professor in social work at Western New Mexico University. As if all the were not enough, she often helps non-native English speakers with taxes or benefit applications, she cares for the homeless, and she helps migrant families adjust to their new lives in Deming.

Magali earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western New Mexico University in 2012. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2017 and a second Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching in 2021, both from the same university.

Teacher Magazine has described the Milken Educator Awards as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work together to strengthen best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Albert Bryant honored by Missouri Council of Teachers of Math

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Math teacher Albert Bryant has been recognized as the 2023 Outstanding High School Mathematics Educator by the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Photo credit: Ozark School District

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding teacher. Today, I share the story of Albert Bryant, a teacher from Missouri who has been recognized as the 2023 Outstanding High School Mathematics Educator by the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM).

The annual award is given to teachers who engage students in mathematics, and recognizes individuals who have given time, energy and expertise to benefit and promote math. “It feels great to be recognized,” Albert confesses. “MCTM recognizes a lot of great math teachers. I wasn’t expecting to be among them.”

Albert teaches math in the Ozark Public School District, which serves a rural community in the town of Ozark. The district serves a total of about 6,000 students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. He has been teaching there for eleven years. And he is obviously an inspirational educator. “I love math,” Albert says. “I recognize the patterns and enjoy helping and working with others to facilitate their mathematical journey,” he continues. He also serves his district as the Industrial Engineering Technology Academy Leader. He says he enjoys working with computers and coding, both databases and web-apps.

Albert earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, in 2011. He earned his Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology from the American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2016.

Idaho’s Kelly Carey honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars

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Elementary school teacher Kelly Garey of Idaho has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Photo credit: Idaho Press

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional teacher. Today, I shine a light on Kelly Garey, an elementary school teacher from Caldwell, Idaho. She has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Kelly teaches second grade at Van Buren Elementary School in Caldwell. In her classroom, she has created a community called Tribes, developing curriculum which emphasizes the use of inclusion activities. Her class concludes each day with a sharing community circle for students to reflect on their day. She also spearheads drug prevention programs and expands her students’ knowledge about patriotic and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics. She also helps teach her students about the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance and good citizenship. She has been a teacher for 33 years.

Kelly was nominated for the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award by members of VFW Post 3886 in Caldwell. She earned her honor for her dedication to fostering patriotism, her passion for serving her country and local community, and for her efforts to organize field trips, activities, and services to help her students learn about and recognize the military service of America’s veterans.

This Chalkboard Champion is a retired Navy veteran, with a career in the Navy Reserves that spanned more than 30 years. As a Chief Petty Officer, Kelly worked for the Navy Operations Support Center in Boise. She was also an active member on the Navy Funeral Honor Guard. With this extensive experience, she leads her students and members of her community to understand why veterans choose to serve, the rich history of our nation’s flag, and the genuine spirit of freedom.  She retired from the military in June, 2022.