Science teacher Cheryl Turpin served in VA State House of Delegates

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Science teacher Cheryl Turpin, third from left, works with students at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was elected to serve in her state’s House of Delegates. Photo Credit: Christine Organ

Many excellent educators have also served as capable politicians. One of these was Cheryl Turpin, a high school science teacher who has represented her community in the Virginia State House of Delegates.

Cheryl was born in 1963 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Her father, who served 23 years in the military, eventually settled the family in Fairfax County, Virginia.

As a young woman, Cheryl earned her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Virginia.

After earning her degrees, Cheryl taught science at the high school level in public schools in Virginia Beach. Currently she teaches Advanced Placement environmental Science at Frank W. Cox High School. She is also a participant in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a program that seeks to close the achievement gap by preparing minority students for college. For her exemplary work with students, Cheryl was nominated for Teacher of the Year by her fellow teachers at Cox High in 2016.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Cheryl has served as a Board Member for the Make a Difference Foundation, as Activities Coordinator for several school PTA’s, a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, a coach for the Neighborhood Soccer League, and a member of the Sierra Club.

In November of 2017, Cheryl was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the 85th District, which includes Virginia Beach. She remained in office from Jan., 2018 to Jan., 2020. As a legislator, Cheryl sat on the Education Committee. She was an advocate for reducing mandated testing so that more time could be added back into classroom instruction. She also supported full-day public kindergarten for every child in Virginia, putting more resources into STEM education, and classroom technology for teachers. She was also committed to expanding economic opportunity for Virginians by increasing infrastructure spending, raising the minimum wage, creating an economic environment that encouraged small businesses, and expanding broadband access.

Reflections on the lessons MLK teaches all Americans

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Once again, our nation is celebrating the birthday of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual celebration offers classroom teachers an excellent opportunity to share the story of this prominent figure in America’s history. The holiday provides an opportunity to guide young people in their reflection on what lessons about our lives as Americans this great leader’s life can offer us.

As a young child myself in the 1960’s, I can remember avidly watching the “I Have a Dream” speech on television that hot August night in 1963. I was only eight years old then, and impressionable. I’m all grown up now, but throughout the five and a half decades since that historic March on Washington, whenever I watch video of that historic speech, I am impressed all over again. I am impressed by the possibility that the world we share could, and should, be a better place. I am reminded by the fact 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.

The video of King’s historic speech is below. To learn more about this amazing individual, click on MLK Biography. To examine the website of the MLK Center for Nonviolent Change, click on King Center.

NJ teacher Brenna Baker named 2023 Atlantic County Teacher of the Year

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New Jersey biology teacher Brenna Baker has been named the 2023 Atlantic County Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: New Jersey State Department of Education

I am always excited when I discover another educator who has been honored for their outstanding work in the classroom. One of these is Brenna Baker, a high school science teacher from New Jersey who has been named the 2023 Atlantic County Teacher of the Year.

Brenna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and Education from Richard Stockton University located in Galloway Township, New Jersey. She earned both her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and her supervisor certification from The College of New Jersey located in Ewing Township, New Jersey. Currently, the honored educator is working on her doctoral thesis at the University of New England, a private university located in Biddeford, Maine.

Brenna teaches biology courses at Absegami High School in Greater Egg Harbor. In addition, she has coached academic and extracurricular sports teams, advised clubs, directed backstage, and participated on countless educational committees. As if all that were not enough, she has also led professional learning communities on assessment and Next Generation Science Standards, written over $40,000 in grants, and is a founding member of her school’s Green Team. Brenna has worked in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District for the past 19 years. Furthermore, she has taught courses as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Stockton University, for the past eight years.

In addition to her recognition as 2023 Atlantic County Teacher of the Year, Brenna has  garnered a Clean Teen Glitter Award, she is a Recipient of the March Teacher of the Month Award WXPN in 2009, and she garnered the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Clean Communities Litter Award in 2019. That same year she also won a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey Grant to expand her school’s urban farming program.

Teacher of the deaf Caitlin Buckley honored by Kentucky Dept of Education

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Caitlin Buckley, a teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, Kentucky, has been honored with a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award, and she is one of 24 finalists for her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: Kentucky Department of Education

There are many talented educators working with our nation’s special education students. One of these is Caitlin Buckley, who teaches at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville. She has recently been honored by the Kentucky State Department of Education as a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award winner. She is also one 24 finalists for her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award.

Caitlin attended Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where she earned a dual certification in middle grade English and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Education. She later earned her Master’s degree in Literacy, also from EKU. She learned ASL in 2015, but picked up more when she did her practicum and student teaching.

The honored educator says she never expected to go into deaf education. Instead, she says, the decision was a happy accident. Caitlin attended Eastern Kentucky University, which is the only college in Kentucky with a DHH teacher program. After changing her major five times, she settled on a career in deaf education because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

Caitlin’s career as an educator has spanned four years. She teaches courses in literature and composition with English/Language Arts (ELA) and reading development to students in grades 6-8. In her classroom, she conducts instruction using American Sign Language (ASL). In addition to teaching her courses, Caitlin serves her school as a class sponsor, helps develop and deliver professional development, and works alongside colleagues to combat language deprivation.

To learn more about Caitlin Buckley, click on this link to a story about her published by the Advocate-Messenger.