Your students would enjoy reading Unleashed! The Dog Park Chronicles

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If you’re looking for some reading material for your students,  I suggest my most recent book, Unleashed! The Dog Park Chronicles, which is now available in both paperback and ebook versions from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. This is my first novel for young people. But the volume has also garnered praise from adults who have read it and loved it!

In the book, I have created a charming cast of animal characters and their human companions who live in or visit the local dog park. Each event which takes place holds an essential message about kindness, community, inclusion, and personal responsibility. There are also messages of anti-bullying and anti-prejudice.

In addition, the narrative includes commentary about how young people can appreciate nature, even if they live in a suburban environment. I explore themes related to the migratory patterns of Canada geese, the natural instincts of the animal characters, and the progression of the seasons.

The dog park described in the novel, Vila Borba, really exists! It is located not far from my home in Chino Hills, California. And depicted on the cover of the book are two of my very own pets! The little white terrier mix on the front cover is Kurby, whose rescue story is described in Chapter 4. (In the book the Kurby character is named Bowser.) The elegant black and white tuxedo pictured on the back cover is my own ladycat, Licorice.

This 156-page book would make a terrific book for your students to read, or for you to read aloud to your students! Order your copy today!

Iowa teacher Dawn Rheingans garners 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year honors

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Teacher Dawn Rheingans of North Scott, Iowa, has garnered 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year honors. Dawn teaches earth science, life science, and physical science at North Scott Middle School. She is one of nine teachers across Iowa being recognized for their impact in the classroom. She was also named as a 2026 Iowa Regional Teacher of the year.

“I am so honored,” Dawn declares. “I look back and I’ve had so many people through my life that have gotten me to this point, supportive parents, I’ve had amazing teachers when I was in school, coaches that believed in me.”

The honored educator reveals that to earn her honor, she was nominated by a co-worker, wrote a couple of essays, and participated in a few interviews.

“It’s just been a really cool experience to reflect back on the past 29 years and how far we’ve come in education,” Dawn says. “All the different students that have crossed my path.”

View the video below to learn more about Dawn.

NYC teacher Jane Yi garners 2025-2026 Big Apple Award

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Jane Yi

Elementary school teacher Jane Yi of New York City has garnered a 2025-2026 Big Apple Award.  Photo credit: NYC Public Schools

There are many fine examples of outstanding educators working in New York City pubic schools. One of these is Jane Yi, an elementary school teacher from the Bronx. She has garnered a 2025-2026 Big Apple Award from New York City Pubic Schools.

Jane teaches math and science to fifth graders at PS 49, the Willis Avenue School. She has been employed there for the past 21 years. In her classroom, Jane creates a student-centered environment grounded in exploration, where discussion and debate are essential tools for learning. Her approach encourages students to think critically, share their ideas freely, and embrace their mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.

In addition, from 2021 to 2023 Jane served as a Model Teacher and currently served her grade team as the 5th Grade Leader.

The Big Apple Award celebrates teachers who inspire students and model equitable, high-expectations learning for diverse needs in NYC Public Schools. 

to learn more about Chalkboard Champion Jane Yi, click on this link to NYC Big Apple Awards.

The life lesson Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., teaches all of us

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Today’s national celebration of the birthday of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offers teachers an excellent opportunity to share the story of this prominent figure in America’s history, and to guide young people in their reflection on what lessons about life this great leader’s life can offer us.

As a young child myself in the 1960’s, I can remember vividly watching the “I Have a Dream” speech on television that hot August night in 1963. I was eight years old then, and impressionable. I’m all grown up now, but throughout the more than six decades since that historic March on Washington, whenever I watch video of that historic speech, I am impressed all over again with the possibility that the world we share could, and should, be a better place, and that no matter how young—or old—I am, I can take action, even if it’s small, that would make such improvement come about. This is one of the most important lessons MLK has taught us all, not only then, but most especially now.

To learn more about this amazing man, click on MLK Biography. To examine the website of the MLK Center for Nonviolent Change, click on King Center.