Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne was also a politician and businesswoman

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Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne also served as a politician and businesswoman in her community. Photo Credit: Minnesota Legislature

Many excellent educators also serve their communities as able politicians. Rosanna Catherine Payne, a teacher, businesswoman, and politician from Minnesota, is one of these.

Rosanna was born on March 19, 1884, in Harris, Fish Lake Township, Minnesota, the daughter of pioneer parents. As a young girl, she attended public schools in Harris. Following her graduation from Caton Business College, she became involved in various business opportunities related to real estate, loans, and merchandizing. She also served as the postmistress for Ball Club, Minnesota. In addition, she earned a farm and taught school for two years in a country school in Itasca.

In 1926, Rosanna was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 52 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She served in that body from 1927 to 1932. There she advanced legislation that pertained to education, conservation, and roads. She also served on the Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women.

Rosanna Payne passed away on Oct. 31, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was 70 years old. She is buried in Harris.

Educator Della Watson earns recognition from Humanities Texas

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High school English teacher Della Watson (at right) has earned a coveted Outstanding Teacher Award from Humanities Texas. Photo Credit: Humanities Texas

It is always a pleasure to share stories about exceptional educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Della Watson, an English teacher and music educator from Paducah, Texas. She has earned a coveted 2021 Outstanding Teacher Award from Humanities Texas.

Della teaches English, Reading, and Band at Paducah High School since 2018. She has also taught music education and choir at the junior high school level. In all, her career has spanned 15 years.

The honored educator is obviously views teaching as her calling. “I believe that learning should be engaging and fun for students so that they look forward to coming to class,” asserts Della. “I do my best to ensure that all of my students have many opportunities to succeed. Students very rarely fail my class, as I believe that if they fail, I have failed at doing my job, which is to teach all of my students,” she continues.

Clearly, Della has earned the respect of her colleagues. “[Ms. Watson] goes above and beyond what is expected because she deeply cares about her students and their learning, especially in the area of the humanities,” says Gary Whitman, Superintendent of Paducah Independent School District. “She connects with her students and causes them to enjoy learning as she makes it fun and exciting,” Whitman continues.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Della volunteers at Mel Mel’s Boutique. The boutique, a local business created in memory of a former Paducah student, earns funds to pay for scholarships for seniors from Paducah High School and nearby communities.

Della earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1990 and her Master’s degree in Education, English, and English as a Second Language, both from West Texas A&M University.

As part of her honors from Humanities Texas, Della received a $5,000 bonus, with an additional $1,000 going to her school to support further excellence in the instruction of the humanities.

 

Exceptional music educators lead students in 2022 Macy’s Parade

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Once again, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year has wowed spectators, both in person and on television, including me! After watching the talented high school musicians who performed in the annual spectacular, I am always left in awe of the superlative music educators who prepared their students for this event. Here is a little about each of these educators.

 

The Carmel Marching Greyhounds, Director Chris Kreke

Director of Bands Chris Kreke led the Carmel Marching Greyhounds in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Jacob Musselman

The Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds from Carmel, Indiana, made their second appearance in the parade, this one under the direction of Director Chris Kreke. Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University in 1995 and his Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University in 2000.

The Marching Greyhounds garnered the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Champion Award five times, and was a Grand National Finalist a whopping 24 times. They were named the BOA Super Regional Champion six times and the BOA Regional Champion 17 times. At the state level, the Marching Greyhounds are five-time ISSMA State Champions and have made State Finals for 30 years. The 300-member group made their previous appearance in the Macy’s Parade in 2011, and they also performed in the Rose Parade in 2014 and the London New Year’s Parade in 2004.

The Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels, Director Michael Stone

The Bourbon County Marching Colonels under the direction of  Michael Stone appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Bourbon County High School

The 100-member Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels marched in the parade under the leadership of Director of Bands Michael Stone. This was the first Macy’s Parade appearance for the group, who hail from Paris, Kentucky. Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2014 and his Master’s degree in Music Education in 2017, both from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2020, Michael was named the Phi Beta Mu Young Bandmaster of the Year in Kentucky.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Marching Band won the 2018 KMEA Class AAA State Championship and the 2018 and 2019 Bands of America Class A National Championship in his first year as Director. What an accomplishment!

Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band, Director Katie VanDoren

Also appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, under the direction of Katie VanDoren. Photo credit: Four Points News

Director of Bands Katie VanDoren led the 300-member Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, in the parade. Katie has been teaching at Vandegrift since 2014. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is currently in her sixth year at Vandegrift High School and her seventh year of teaching high school band.

Their selection for the Macy’s Parade is just the most recent honor the Vandergrift Vipers have earned. The group garnered first place in the 2022 UIL State Marching Band Contest held in San Antonio. They also won the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2019. The group also captured the Sudler Shield International Marching Band Award and won the Bands of America Regional Championships four times.

Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble, Director Kevin Ford

Appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford. Photo Credit: Pinellas County Schools

Hailing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford also appeared in the parade. Kevin is presently in his 28th year of teaching in the public school system. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Pinellas County Music Educators Association, and he serves as a member of the Bands of America (BOA) Educational Advisory Board.

The 200-member Tarpon Springs group is making its second appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in under 10 years. The ensemble was featured in the 2013 parade. In addition to their selection in the Macy’s event, they were named the BOA Grand National Champions in 2014. The group was crowned BOA Division AA and AAA Class National Champions seven times.

Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard, Director David Lesser

The Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard under the leadership of Director of Bands David Lessing also appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Parade. Photo credit: YourCentralValley.com

And finally, Director of Bands David Lessing appeared with the Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard from Fresno, California. David was honored in 2020 by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra (SBO) Magazine. In addition, he was the Fresno Madera County’s Music Educator Association Jazz Educator of the Year in 2005. This is David’s 22nd year of teaching.

The group has been named Western Band Association’s (WBA) Class or Grand Champions five times since 2010. This year’s appearance is the first time the 100-member Bronco group participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.