Hawaii’s Michael Ida named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

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Secondary math teacher Michael Ida of Honolulu, Hawaii, has been named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Hawaii News Now

There are many excellent educators throughout our country who are deserving of recognition. One of them is Michael Ida from Hawaii, a secondary math teacher who has been named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

In a career that has spanned 26 years, Michael has taught all of them at  Kalani High School in Honolulu, where he conducts courses in mathematics and computer science. He also serves as the Chairperson for the Mathematics Department, as an Academic Review Team member, and as a club advisor. He spearheaded the development of the computer science program at Kalani High. And as if all the were not enough, he also leads technology-related professional development sessions for his school faculty.

Michael has a reputation for being a lifelong learner and for being dedicated to the service of others. “He goes above and beyond for not only his students, but for any staff member that needs help,” asserts Kalani High Principal Mitch Otani. “During the pandemic, he was the one that was helping people with all the technology and everything else. He’s one that is always there to help and support anyone,” Otani continues.

In addition to his work with students, Michael serves on the leadership teams of the Hawaii Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Hawaii chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Hawaii National Board Certified Teachers Collective. He also serves as an accreditation visiting team member for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and as an exam reader for Advanced Placement Calculus.

Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in 1991. He earned his Master’s degree and a PhD in applied mathematics from Northwestern University in 1995. He also earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Boston College in 1996. Additionally, he was recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent/Young Adult Mathematics in 2004.

To read more about Michael Ida, click on this link to a story about him published by the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Business Ed educator Megan Wald named a finalist for ND 2023 Teacher of the Year

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Business education teacher Megan Wald was named one of four finalists for 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Valley City State University

I always enjoy sharing the story of an exceptional educator. One of these is Megan Wald, a business education teacher from North Dakota. She was selected as Emmons County’s Teacher of he Year last May, and she has been named one of four finalists selected to compete for the title of 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Megan teaches Business Education courses at Linton High School in Linton, an unincorporated community located in Emmons County, North Dakota. She is also an adjunct business teacher for the North Dakota Center for Distance Education in Fargo. Her career as an educator has spanned 15 years.

For Megan, her work as an educator is never a nine-to-five job. “You have to be passionate about the work that you do and know what your goal is,” she asserts. And she definitely knows what her goal is. “My philosophy is definitely preparing students for work outside of high school. Giving them career readiness skills is one of my top priorities,” she declares.

Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Marketing from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota, in 2008.

Congratulations, Megan!

Louisiana teacher Maura Lewis featured on local news station

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Here is a story about Maura Lewis, an exceptional teacher from Woodlawn Middle School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She teaches Algebra, computer science, and STEM to seventh and eighth graders. Maura was recently named exceptional educator by her local television news station, WVLA NBC Local 33, and BRProud. She was featured on a recent segment on the television network.

Congratulations, Maura!

Detroit teacher Regina Weiss elected to Michigan State House of Reps

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Former secondary level Social Studies and English teacher Regina Weiss of Detroit now serves in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Michigan State House of Representatives

Many fine educators have also served their community in public office. One of these is Regina Weiss, a secondary level school teacher from Detroit, Michigan.

Regina was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 2009 she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education from Valparaiso University, a private institution of higher learning located in Valparaiso, Indiana. She relocated to Detroit, where she accepted a position teaching Social Studies and English. She taught there for five years. She taught two and a half years at Pershing High School, and two and a half years she taught at Carstens Elementary-Middle School at Remus Robinson.

Reina inaugurated her career in public service when she was elected to be a member of the Oak Park City Council in 2017. In November, 2020, she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Michigan State House of Representatives, where she has represented the 27th House District since Jan. 1, 2021. In November, 2022, following redistricting, Regina was re-elected to the House, this time representing the 6th District. There she serves as a member of the Jewish Democratic Caucus, and as the Chairperson of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. As Chairperson, Regina has declared that her committee will prioritize developing a system to fund school infrastructure improvements. “As a former educator, I’ve seen first-hand the impact decades of inadequate funding has had on our classrooms,” Regina says. “And that was even before the COVID-19 placed challenge after challenge before our students and teachers,” she continued.

To read more about Regina Weiss, click on this link to her Michigan State House webpage.

Oregon science teacher Connie Robbins earns accolades

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Oregon science educator Connie Robbins has been named Harney County’s 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Linked In

There are many exceptional educators working with our nation’s young people in American schools. and out is always a pleasure to share the story of one of them. Today I’d like to share the story of Connie Robbins, a high school science teacher from Oregon. She was named Harney County’s 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year.

Connie teaches science and art at Crane High School in Crane, where she has been since 2010. There she instructs courses in biology, chemistry, physical science, forensics, health, and art. She has also served her school as the Head Coach for the clay target team.

This exceptional educator has a reputation for creating innovative and stimulating curriculum in her classroom. “I engage my students in real-life problems in their own environment and through worldly events,” says Connie. “This helps students see outside themselves and fosters problem-solving skills for later in life.”

In addition to her work at Crane High, Connie also taught biology at the college level through Eastern Oregon University, and she has participated in the Oregon Science Project as a Learning Facilitator. She served as the President of the Oregon Science Teachers Association from 2018 to 2020. She also served as an archeology technician for the US Forest Service in Hines, Oregon, for 11 summers, from 2009 through 2021. In this position, she worked as a wildlife technician, monitoring goshawks and various woodpeckers. And as if all that were not enough, this multi-talented educator has been a freelance artist for the past 37 years.

Connie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, Science, and Health in 2008, and her Master’s degree in Education in 2009, both from the Eastern Oregon University.