Former NFL player Roger LeClerc became a high school math teacher

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Once former NFL player Roger LeClerc concluded his career in football, he taught high school mathematics for 30 years. Photo credit The Republican Obituaries

Many times talented athletes go on to become accomplished coaches and teachers. One of these is Roger LeClerc, an NFL football player who also coached football at the college level and then taught high school math for many years.

Roger was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Oct. 1, 1936. As a young man, he graduated from Agawam High School in 1954. He then enrolled in Trinity College, a private liberal arts college located in Hartford, Connecticut, where he played both football and baseball. He earned his Bachelor’s degree there in 1960.

Roger became part of the draft for the National Football League (NFL) in 1959. He was drafted by and played for the Chicago Bears for the next seven seasons, from 1960 to 1966. During this time, he earned 377 points, making him the second highest scorer in team history. In fact, he was one of the members of the team that took the NFL championship in 1963. As a football player, Roger served most often as the team’s place kicker, but at 6’3″ and  235 pounds, he also played center and linebacker. In 1967, Roger transferred to the Denver Broncos, where he played one season in the American Football League. He also played amateur baseball in Massachusetts during the football off-seasons. He was a catcher for the Holyoke Orioles in the Tri-County League for several years.

Once his NFL career was concluded, Roger accepted a position as Head Football Coach at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. His tenure there lasted one season. That was in 1982.

Next, Roger returned to his home town of Agawam, Massachusetts, where he taught eighth grade and ninth grade algebra and geometry. He also coached football there. His career as an educator and coach spanned 30 years. After his retirement from teaching, he worked at Southwick Community College.

For his work as an athlete and an educator, Roger was inducted into the Agawam High School Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition, he was one of the first 11 individuals inducted into the Trinity College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Sadly, Roger passed away on Jan. 22, 2021. He was 84 years of age.

Texas teacher Lisa Mackey named a 2023 State Teacher of the Year finalist

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Elementary school teacher Lisa Mackey has been named one of three educators from her state who have been named as 2023 Texas State Teacher of the Year finalists. Photo credit: Texas Association of School Administrators

It is always my pleasure to recognize exceptional educators who have been honored for their work with students. One of these is Lisa Mackey, an art teacher from Klein, Texas. She has been named one of three educators from her state who have been named as 2023 Texas State Teacher of the Year finalists.

Lisa teaches at Fox Elementary School in the Klein Independent School District. In a career that began in 2010 in the Fort Bend Independent School District, she has taught at Fox since 2022, when she became a member of the inaugural staff at that school. Before transitioning to art, she taught as a regular classroom teacher. But she declares that the move has been a good one for her. “As an art teacher, I have a unique opportunity to pull out creativity in every way possible,” Lisa says. “However, having been a classroom teacher before transitioning to art has made me appreciate and integrate cross-curricular activities into many of my lessons.”

In addition to her work as an art instructor, Lisa is an advocate for advanced academics as a Gifted and Talented coordinator. In this role, she works with students to help them thrive in problem-solving and self-driven learning. She also does volunteer work as a Destination Imagination coach. Destination Imagination students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM challenges designed to teach the creative process.

This outstanding educator has been named one of three teachers from across Texas who have been chosen as Texas State Teacher of the Year finalists for the 2023 Elementary Texas Teacher of the Year program. But she has garnered other accolades as well. In 2022, Lisa was named her district’s Teacher of the Year, and she was selected in both 2020 and 2015 as the Metzler Elementary School Teacher of the Year, also located in the Klein ISD. Metzler is an internationally recognized Visible Learning campus. Visible Learning is the result of work by John Hattie who conducted research focusing on the influences that impact student achievement. Hattie was able to identify more than 250 influences on positive student achievement. Visible Learners set learning goals, are reflective, and know when to seek help from peers. Teachers provide success criteria so learners understand what it means to be successful in their learning.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Texas State University in 2009, graduating magna cum laude.

African American teacher, poet, and biographer Henrietta Cordelia Ray

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African American teacher, poet, and biographer Henrietta Cordelia Ray became known for her sonnets and her ode to Abraham Lincoln.

Many excellent educators have also earned fame for their endeavors outside of the classroom. One of these was Henrietta Cordelia Ray, an African American teacher who is best known for composing a poem about Abraham Lincoln that is associated with the Freedmen’s Memorial located in Washington, DC.

Henrietta was born on Aug. 30, 1852, in New York City. Her father was Charles Bennett Ray, a blacksmith, abolitionist, and clergyman.

As a young woman, Henrietta earned her degree in pedagogy from the University of the City of New York in 1891. She also studied French, German, Greek, and Latin at the Sauvener School of Languages. Then she launched her career as a public school teacher in New York City schools. During this period, Henrietta also became active in community-building and political activism.

Henrietta gave up her position as an educator to pursue a career as a writer. One her pieces, an eight-line ode to Abraham Lincoln, was read at the unveiling of the Freedmen’s Memorial in Washington, DC, in April, 1876. At this unveiling ceremony, the prominent African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass served as the keynote speaker. In 1887, Henrietta co-authored a biography of her father with her sister, Florence. The book was entitled “Sketch of the Life of Rev. Charles B. Ray.” Henrietta also published a collection of sonnets in 1893 and a second book of poetry in 1910.  Selections from the 1910 volume were widely included in anthologies published in the early 20th century. Frequently, the subjects of her verse were nature, piety, and idealism.

In her retirement years, Henrietta returned to her original vocation of teaching. She tutored students and instructed English classes for teachers. In addition, she organized and participated in regional and national conferences for African American teachers.

Sadly, Henrietta passed away on Jan. 5, 1916. She was 63 years old.

Alaska teacher Harlee Harvey named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations go to elementary school teacher Harlee Harvey of Point Hope, Alaska, who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Congratulations go to Alaska elementary school teacher Harlee Harvey, who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Harlee was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. She currently teaches first grade at Tikigaq School in Point Hope. She has also taught fifth grade there. In all, she has taught at the school for nine years.

Harlee says that teaching in rural Alaska has been a unique and rewarding experience. She enjoys living and teaching In a region where most teachers give up and move on within two years. The honored educator asserts that there are two important practices to which she owes her success: implementing culturally responsive teaching and building strong relationships with students, families, and the community. And Harlee declares that, even if home life is turbulent or uncomfortable, school should be a safe place for kids. “It became really important for me to provide the space that I always had growing up for other students in my classroom,” she says. “I wanted to be the teacher that I saw, who made sure that all of these students felt important in the classroom—not just those that are naturally academically talented or your stereotypical, like, dream students—I wanted all students to feel comfortable,” she continues.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Harlee has been involved with numerous staff development programs and extra-curricular activities for students, including the Inupiaq Spelling Bee and Battle of the Books. She also serves as a Mapkuk Mentor for the North Slope Borough School District’s cultural curriculum project.

Harlee earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in 2014. She earned her Master’s degree in Education in English as a Second language and Bilingual Education from American College of Education in 2017. She has also earned a degree in Education Specialist in Leadership from American College.

More band directors that led their students in the 2023 Rose Parade

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One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a two-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

The Pella Marching Dutch Band, Pella, Iowa

Appearing in this year’s Tournament of Roses will be the Pella Marching Dutch Band from Pella, Iowa. The group was led by Director of Bands Dameon Place. This year will be their third appearance in the Rose Parade. Their previous appearances were in 1988 and 2003. The Pella Marching Dutch Band was established in 1937 as an all-inclusive school band with a tradition that has spanned more than 80 years. Their innovative show designs, excellent musicality, and outstanding marching techniques have earned them numerous first place awards. In fact, the group has garnered more than 150 first place finishes and 39 consecutive Division 1 Superior ratings, the highest possible score, at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Band Festival.

Brookwood Bronco Marching Band, Snellville, Georgia

Another of the bands that will be marching in the parade this year is The Bronco High School Marching Band from Snellville, Georgia, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Coates Stanley. The group boasts nearly 300 students representing all the band classes in their high school. Laura has been teaching at Snellville for 20 years. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2001 and her Master’s degree in Wind Conducting 2003, both from the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in Music Education in 2015 from Boston University. Under Laura’s expert leadership, The Bronco Marching Band have received 10 Grand Championships in regional competitions.

Catalina Foothills Falcon Band, Tucson, Arizona

Also appearing in the parade was the Catalina Foothills Falcon Band from Tucson, Arizona, with Director of Bands Renee Shane-Boyd in charge. Renee, who has been a music educator in Tucson for 34 years, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, in 1983. She was selected as her District’s 2009 Teachers of the Year. Her group, the largest marching band in the state of Arizona, has won many accolades, including the Nunamaker Award at 2019 UA Band Day. In addition, they performed in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they have travelled to Europe, China, and Australia to perform.

LAUSD All-District High School Honor Band, Los Angeles, California

And finally, we introduce The Los Angeles Unified School District All-District High School Honor Band under the leadership of Band Directors Tony White and Art Duardo. The pair worked together with more than 300 students from approximately 75 Los Angeles county high schools in order to get ready for their 50th Rose Parade performance. This group has been participating in the Rose Parade since 1973. Throughout the years, the band has performed in a variety of events across the greater Los Angeles area, including NFL Super Bowls and Major League Baseball World Series.