Teacher Justin Moreschi garners 2023 Teacher Achievement Award

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Elementary teacher Justin Moreschi has garnered a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award from the Kentucky State Department of Education. Photo credit: Klondike Elementary School

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Justin Moreschi, an elementary school teacher from Jefferson County, Kentucky. He has garnered a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award from the Kentucky State Department of Education.

Justin teaches science to students in grades four and five at Klondike Lane Elementary in Louisville. He also serves his school by advising Klondike’s Bluegrass Music Club and coaching the archery team. In a career that spans 16 years, he has been teaching at Klondike since 2007.

Justin chose science as his emphasis because, he says, he was exposed to the excitement of the subject as a child through his dad’s profession. “When I was a child, my father was an elephant trainer at the Louisville Zoo,” the honored educator reveals. “He instilled in me a love for animals at a very young age.” Once he graduated from college, he took a job at the same zoo where his father worked. Today, he shares his love for science by exposing his students to different animal species. “It is incredibly important for children to develop a nurturing sense of appreciation for animals to ensure their continued existence,” he asserts.

Now as an educator leader, Justin encourages his colleagues to hold on to what inspires them to teach. “The inspiration to teach has come to all of us in countless ways, events, and processes,” he declares. “Seizing this opportunity of teaching will change your life in ways you could never imagine,” he says.

Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Behavior Disorders from Bellarmine University. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from Indiana University Southeast. He completed the requirements for his Specialist in Education degree, Gifted Education and Talent Development, from Western Kentucky University.

 

NH educator Catherine Fiske advanced the cause of education for girls in early 19th-century America

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Catherine Fiske, an innovative educator from New England, advanced the cause of education for girls during the early 19th century. Photo credit: Public Domain

There are many outstanding educators who advanced the cause of education for girls in the early years of our nation’s history. One of these was Catherine Fiske, an innovative teacher from New England who taught in New Hampshire during the early 19th century.

Catherine was born on July 30, 1784, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Even at a young age, she was a voracious reader. She attended public schools in her home village, until her family relocated to Vermont when she was 12 years old.

Catherine inaugurated her career as a teacher when she was only 15 years old. She taught in public or district schools throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. As a teacher, Catherine was well-liked in her schools for her integrity and dignity, but she was also stern and reserved, and she commanded respect. After demonstrating her exceptional skills with classroom management, she became a permanent teacher in Keene, New Hampshire.

In May, 1814, after a career as a teacher that had already spanned 15 years, Catherine purchased a building on a large farm in Keene, New Hampshire. There she established Miss Catherine Fiske’s Young Ladies Seminary. The school was the first of its kind in the state, and only the second like it in the country.

At her school, Catherine enrolled both day students and boarding scholars. At one time, she even opened a class of boys as day students. One year, between 80 and 100 students were enrolled. It has been estimated that more than 2,500 young people became her students over the 38 years the school was open.

With an enrollment so large, Catherine employed and supervised a staff of highly-qualified teachers to help her with instruction. She also ran the household and managed the farm, overseeing every detail. She did this even though her health was frail, and she was in pain much of the time.

Catherine was well-known for her acute business acumen. She charged $50 per term for each student. For younger students, this fee included instruction in reading, writing, English grammar, arithmetic, history, geography., and needle work. For older students, she included courses in politics, rhetoric, philosophy, theology, chemistry, botany, algebra, geometry, and Latin. For an additional fee, students could receive instruction in music, drawing, and painting.

Catherine Fiske passed away in 1837. She was only 53 years old. Following her death, a monument was erected to her memory in Keene.

 

AR teacher Ashley Anderson garners coveted Milken Educator Award

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Arkansas middle school teacher Ashley Anderson has garnered a coveted 2023 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

Many outstanding teachers who work in our nation’s public schools deserve recognition. One of them is Ashley Anderson, a middle school teacher from Greenbriar, Arkansas. She has garnered a prestigious 2023 Milken Educator Award.

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.

Ashley teaches English to six graders at Greenbriar Middle School. A creative and innovative educator, she designed a unique sixth-grade course based on the RISE model (Resilient in Schools and Educators). Her curriculum resulted in amazing growth in her students on classroom assessments. Furthermore, Ashley works collaboratively with Special Education teachers on her campus to ensure the curriculum is accessible and challenging for all her learners. Her inclusive strategies are used throughout Greenbrier Middle School. And just to give her students an extra layer of support, she volunteers many unpaid hours in her school’s after school tutoring program.

Student success is the driving factor of much of Ashley’s energy. Each year, she assists in the coordination of the Greenbrier Games, an Olympic-style event that gets students excited about upcoming testing. She also decorates floats for family and community night, and sends encouraging pre-testing videos to staff, students, and families. She organizes “Walk in My Shoes” nights, during which fifth graders come to the school to meet teachers, tour the school, and learn more about their upcoming middle school transition.

In addition to her work with youngsters, Ashley mentors first-year teachers, and she is an active member of the district’s leadership team, curriculum committee, and literacy Professional Learning Community (PLC).

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arkansas Tech University in 2018.

Oregon teacher Caryn Anderson garners OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education

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Elementary teacher Caryn Anderson of Portland, Oregon, garnered on OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education award. Photo credit: OnPoint

It is always a pleasure for me to share the story of an outstanding teacher who has earned recognition with their work with young people. One of these is Caryn Anderson, a fourth grade teacher at Abernathy Elementary School located in Portland, Oregon. Caryn has garnered an OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education award.

Caryn has been an educator since 1999, and she has taught at Abernathy for eight years. She says her passion for workin with children comes from the students in her classroom. Caryn also says balances individualized student attention with an inclusive classroom environment. Over the years, she revealed, she came to understand that she was too absorbed in delivering her lessons. This caused her to shift her focus to building community first.

This Chalkboard Champion says her connection with her students fosters not just academic, but also emotional growth. “I have found new meaning in what I do every day and the purpose behind my work and the importance of it,” she declares. “This (award) is for all of the students who grew up like me that didn’t have a place, that they didn’t have a community who saw who they were,” she continues. “And so, the work that I do is for them and for all the other students who are allies and support in this work,” she concludes.

Caryn is one of four teachers in Oregon who have been recognized with an OnPoint award. The other three recipients were Lucas Dix of Milwaukee, Oregon; Willie Williams of Portland; and Samuel Platt of Bend. As part of the award, all four honored teachers will have their mortgage paid for an entire year. In addition, each teacher’s school will receive a $2,500 donation. To learn more about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, visit OnPointcu.com.