Category Archives: Education

Elementary school NJ teacher Emily Litz garners prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award

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Elementary school teacher Emily Litz has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

There are many exceptional teachers working in our nation’s schools who are deserving of recognition. One of these is Emily Litz, an elementary school teacher from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award.

Emily teaches fifth grade at Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School. In her classroom, she tailors lessons and teaching techniques that apply to her students’ diverse academic needs. She incorporates hands-on, inquiry-based, conceptual learning over memorization.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Emily mentors fellow educators, contributes to developing curriculum and pacing guidelines, and implements new programs. She also served on a committee that developed a fifth grade standards-based report card.

Emily is well-known for the creativity and spirit of play she brings to her lessons. She sprinkles her students with glitter for good luck before tests. She transforms her classroom into a wilderness, complete with a “campfire,” where students share their writing pieces. She has also developed a classroom job application where students must explain their qualifications in writing to be “hired” for positions ranging from attendance aide to supply manager.

Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 2010 and her Master’s degree in Education with a Specialization in Reading and Literacy from Capella University in 2020. 

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine 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 towards strengthening best practices in education. To learn more about the program, click on their website at Milken Educator Awards.

Teacher Miriam Del Banco earned acclaim as an author and poet

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Teacher and principal Miriam Del Banco was also an acclaimed author and poet. She is pictured here in 1931. Photo credit: Public Domain

I am always excited to share the story of a talented educator who has earned accolades for their work as writers. One of these is Miriam Del Banco, a teacher and principal who earned acclaim as an author and poet.

Miriam Del Banco was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 27, 1858. Her father was a respected rabbi and her mother was a homemaker. Sadly, Miriam’s father passed away when she was just an infant, and and Miriam went to live with an uncle in St. Louis, Missouri. She enrolled in school there, and even as a child, she displayed remarkable talent as a poet.

When she grew up, Miriam attended Missouri State Normal School (now known as Missouri State University) in Springfield. She earned her PhD from DePaul University in 1921.

Once she completed her initial degrees, Miriam relocated to Chicago, where her mother was already living. In 1885, she accepted a position as a public school teacher in Chicago schools. Four years later she became an assistant principal at Von Humboldt School, and in 1904 she was named the principal of McClellan Elementary School. In 1908 she became the principal of Motley Public School.

In addition to her work as an educator, Miriam was also a prolific writer and translator. She translated Kayserling’s “Die Jüdischen Frauen,” which appeared serially in the columns of the Jewish Advance and was published in Chicago in 1881 and Alberti’s “Ludwig Börne,” which appeared in the Menorah, published in 1888-1889. Miriam also published articles in educational journals and she wrote many poems, both Jewish and secular in content, that were published to high acclaim. A collection of her work entitled Poetry and Prose was published posthumously.

During her lifetime, Miriam was a member of the Principal’s Club; the Ella Flagg Young Club; the National Education Association; and the Wild Flower Preservation Society.

Miriam passed away on November 6, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. She was 61 years old.

SD music educator Dan Carlson leads students in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Director of Bands Dan Carlson of Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, led his 350-member marching band in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Lincoln High School

The holidays are always a magical time of year, with many festive events. One of the most exciting is the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which features outstanding bands from all over the country. This year, one of those bands was the Lincoln Patriot Marching Band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This 350-member group was led by Director of Bands Dan Carlson.

The Lincoln Marching Band was well-acquainted with and well-prepared for high-profile performances. Dan led his student musicians when they appeared in two previous Macy’s parades, in 2000 and 2008, and when they appeared in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in 2005 and 2013. The band also marched in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2016.

The Lincoln Marching Band has also garnered numerous prestigious awards. In 2015, the group was named a finalist at the Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional, placing 13th overall in finals competition.

Dan has also earned several honors for his work as a music educator He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and the South Dakota Bandmaster’s Association, and he was recently featured in School Band and Orchestra Magazine in the article “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” He also received the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award for the state of South Dakota in 2016.

Dan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Instrumental Music from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1999. He earned his Master’s degree in Wind Conducting from American Band College of Southern Oregon University in 2004. In a career that spans 25 years, Dan has taught all of them at  Lincoln High.

Director of Bands Lynel Goodman prepares student-musicians in Macy’s Parade

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Director of Bands Lynel Goodman of Jonesboro High School in Atlanta, Georgia, led his 150-member group in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Jonesboro High School

I always enjoy watching the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and yesterday’s parade was as spectacular as I expected it would be. With 22 balloons, 34 floats, and 28 clown groups, the production was a visual buffet. But then, there were also the musical delights! There were 28 entertaining performers and no less that 11 impressive bands, six of which were high school bands chosen from all over the United States.

One of these high school bands was the Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School from Atlanta, Georgia. The 150-member group was led by Director of Bands Lynel Goodman. The Marching Cardinals is an energetic, high stepping, traditional band that brings excitement and energy to every performance, and this morning was no exception.

“I know what it takes to be excellent in marching band here in the state of Georgia,” declares Wesley Whatley, Creative Producer for the parade. “It is a fantastic state for marching arts, and this program is one of the best programs in the state, and it is my belief that this program is one of the best marching bands in the United States of America,” he asserted.

The 150-member group has some very impressive credits. They have appeared in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, The National Independence Day Parade, and at the 2024 White House Easter Roll by invitation of First Lady Jill Biden. In addition, the group was featured in an Apple Music Super Bowl commercial alongside the performer Usher earlier this year.

Director of Bands Lynel Goodman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University in 2011. He has taught at Jonesboro High School since 2016, where he has earned the respect and affection of students and colleagues alike. In fact, Lynel was named the Jonesboro High School Teacher of the Year in 2019.

 

Jon Schultz leads Lake Hamilton High Band in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Director of Bands Jon Schultz will lead The Lake Hamilton High School Marching Power Band from Percy, Arkansas, in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Music for All

I always enjoy watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving morning, and this year’s parade is sure to be a spectacular. In addition to 22 balloons, 34 floats, and 28 clown crews, this year’s parade will feature five superlative high school marching bands. One of them will be The Lake Hamilton High School Marching Power Band from Percy, Arkansas, led by Director of Bands Jon Schultz.

Jon earned his Bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University in 1999 and his Master’s degree from Arkansas State University in 2012. In 2007, Jon became a National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT). In a career that spans 23 years, he has taught in the Lake Hamilton School District for 17 of them.

Jon’s 190-member marching band is recognized as one of the most outstanding programs in the country. They have garnered many impressive honors. They have been named the 6A Arkansas State Marching Band Champion; a Bands of America Regional Finalist and Medalist; and a Winter Guard International Winter Winds World Championship Finalist, Medalist, and Class Champion. In addition, the Power Band has placed in the top ten in their classification numerous times at the Bands of America Grand National Marching Championships and has been a National Semi-Finalist. The Lake Hamilton Band has earned 25 consecutive ASBOA Sweepstakes Awards, captured the ASBOA State Sweepstakes Awards in 2022, and is currently the 6A State Concert Honor Band.

For his work with young people, Jon has garnered multiple awards. He was the recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director Award for the 2004-05 school year. He was named the “Director that Makes a Difference” for Arkansas in 2010 by the School Band and Orchestra magazine. In 2016, Henderson State University recognized him as their Outstanding Distinguished Alumni.

Jon says the theme for the Macy’s performance is the joy of the holiday spirit. “We want to bring Christmas in early,” he explains. “It’s a custom design, we’re doing this country Christmas, featuring rock around the Christmas tree. The students will be wearing these really cool Christmas sweaters,” he concludes.