Former NFL football player Todd Gerhart now a successful coach

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Former NFL football player now works as a successful football coach and physical education teacher in Southern California. Photo Credit: The Press Enterprise

There are many examples of talented athletes who have distinguished themselves as coaches and teachers after they have concluded their careers in sports. One of these is former NFL football player Todd Gerhart, who became a football coach and physical education teacher in public schools in Southern California after his career in the NFL concluded.

Todd, who was born on December 8, 1962, attended Norco High School in Norco, California. At 5’11” and 235 pounds, he made a great choice as a running back. Following his high school graduation, Todd enrolled at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in Fullerton, California. He played football for the Titans from 1981 to 1984. Once he graduated from CSUF, Todd was drafted by the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL). He also played in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Minnesota Vikings and did a very brief stint with the Houston Oilers.

When he retired from professional football, Todd returned to his alma mater, Norco High School, when he accepted a position as a physical education teacher and Head Football Coach. The school in located in the Corona Norco Unified School District. During his tenure, which lasted nine years from 2004 to 2012, the Cougars posted a combined record of 85-28. Two times in three years, the Norco team advanced to the CIF Championship, and they won the title in 2005 and 2006.

in 2013, Todd transferred to first Auburndale Intermediate and then Norco Intermediate, also schools in Corona Norco Unified School District, where he taught physical education. And he also worked as an Assistant Coach at Vista Murrieta in Murrieta, California, from 2018 to 2021.

In 2022, after a nine-year absence, he has returned to Norco High School, where he has accepted a position as an Offensive Consultant. “In some ways, it kind of feels like I never left,” Todd remarked. “It felt great walking back into the office and seeing the history on display… I’m ready to help out, and it’s been fun, so far.”

To read more about this amazing educator, read the article at CNS Sports entitled Gerhart Juggles Fatherhood, Coaching and Heisman Hoopla.

Rhode Island names math teacher Lisa Garcia the state’s Teacher of the Year

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High school math teacher Lisa Garcia of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, was selected as her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: WPRI.com

Hearty congratulations are due to Lisa Garcia, a secondary school mathematics teacher from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

In a career that has spanned 30 years, Lisa has taught 27 of them at North Kingstown High School. The courses she has instructed include Algebra, Honors Algebra, Calculus, Advanced Placement Calculus, Trigonometry, and Computer Science.

Lisa strives to create a classroom environment that promotes curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration. When she designs her instruction, she places emphasis on a rigorous curriculum and on developing the skills needed to become lifelong learners. Her lessons connect her students with the global community and inspire them to think beyond the four walls of the classroom. And she actively supports the social and emotional growth of her kids.

In addition to teaching math, Lisa organizes fundraisers and decorates the school for events such as Spirit Week. She served as Lead Teacher on the school’s international Mason Tours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded the Flocked Fundraiser, a pandemic-safe way of celebrating the school’s graduating seniors by placing flamingos on their lawns to help raise morale. And as if all that were not enough, Lisa also mentors beginning teachers.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Mathematics and her Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Rhode Island College.

The Teacher of the Year Award Program was founded in 1952 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to bring recognition to the importance of teachers as nurturers of the American Dream. His goal to honor all teachers by the selection of a representative teacher from each state would result in the yearly selection of a National Teacher of the Year. This is accomplished through a selection process that involves classroom teachers, school administrators, state officials, students, parents, and business representatives.

To read more about Lisa Garcia, see this article about her published by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Educator Catherine Bell inducted into Texas Women’s Hall of Fame

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For her extensive body of work as an educator, former classroom teacher and administrator Catherine Bell was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: Texas Woman’s University

Many excellent educators achieve honors of distinction for their work in the profession. One of these was Catherine Bell, a classroom teacher, administrator, educational innovator, and teachers’ union leader from Texas. For her extensive body of work as an educator, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

Catherine Bell was born on June 29, 1907, in Groveton, Texas. After her graduation from high school, young Catherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bachelor University. She earned both her Master’s degree and her PhD from the University of Houston, and she also completed courses at the University of Chicago.

After earning her degrees, Catherine accepted a position as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District, where she taught for 11 years. She spent the next four years as a principal at Port Houston Elementary School. She spent 14 years as the District’s Assistant Director of Elementary Education, and then was appointed the Director of Elementary Education, where she served for nine years. In addition, she served as the Area IV Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, and then as Assistant Superintendent for K-12 Basic Skills. During these years, she co-authored the Developmental Science Series and Skill Building Series books.

In addition to her work as an administrator, Catherine served as a member of the White House Conference on Education in both 1955 and 1960. She represented the United States at The World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession in Paris, Dublin, Abidjan, and Sidney. She was also a member of both the Board of Examiners on Teacher Education and of the Texas Commission on Science. In addition, she was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association in 1954.

In all, Catherine served as a professional educator for 47 years. She retired in 1976. For her body of work in the field, Catherine was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984. Kate Bell Elementary School in Houston was named in her honor. She was also named a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and an Honorary Life Trustee of the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation.

Catherine Bell passed away on Feb. 25, 2003. She was 95 years old.

PA dance teacher LaDeva Davis successful in Show Biz

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Beloved dance teacher LaDeva Davis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also earned fame in Show Biz. Photo Credit: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Many excellent educators have also earned fame in the entertainment industry. One of these was LaDeva Davis, a dance teacher and choreographer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was also successful in Show Biz.

As a young woman, LaDeva studied at the Philadelphia Musical Academy. Once she completed her education, she accepted a position as a junior high school teacher in 1965 in the Philadelphia School District, where she taught her entire professional life. In 1978, she became a member of the inaugural staff of the famous Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). She worked there as a full-time teacher for 44 years. In all, her career as an educator spanned 57 years.

Without exception, her students report that she genuinely cared about them. She made sure her kids got to their classes on time and checked up on their academic progress. And if one of them couldn’t afford new ballet shoes, she bought them a pair from her own pocket. She had a reputation for being a stickler for perfect grammar, good posture, and respect. And she helped them develop into accomplished performers. During her years at CAPA, LaDeva’s students performed in many Thanksgiving Day Parades, and in shows which she had choreographed in both California and Florida.

In addition to her work at CAPA, LaDeva taught at Swarthmore College, served two terms as President of the Board of Philadanco, and worked as a choreographer for commercials, local theater companies, and a Mummers fancy brigade.

In fact, LaDeva’s work in the entertainment industry began when she was very young. As a child, she made weekly appearances on the Parisian Taylor Kiddie Hour Radio Show. Later, she sang in supper clubs. In the 1970s, she hosted What’s Cooking?, which became so popular she became the first African American woman to have a nationally syndicated cooking show. Behind the camera, she co-produced the 2007 Dixie Hummingbirds album Keeping It Real: The Last Man Standing, and for her work on the album she was nominated for a Grammy. At various times in her life she performed with such notable entertainers as Josephine Baker, Pearl Bailey, Natalie Cole, Billy Dee Williams, Danny Thomas, Jamie Farr, Alan King, Jimmy Walker, and Gregory Hines.

For her work as an educator, the beloved teacher garnered several honors, including a Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, a prize given each year to Philadelphia’s best educators. In 2015, she earned the Mary McLeod Bethune Award for leadership, excellence, and achievement in education from the National Council of Negro Women.

Sadly, this Chalkboard Champion passed away on Sept. 8, 2022, after suffering a stroke. She was 78 years old.

Frances “Sister” Webb Strong: Alabama teacher and politician

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Former teacher Frances Webb Strong  served her community in the Alabama State Senate. She and her colleague, Ann Bedsole, were the first women to serve in that body. Photo Credit: Webb family

Many fine educators also serve their communities as politicians. One of these is Frances Webb Strong, who was one of the first women to be elected to the Alabama State Senate.

Francis, whose birthday was Jan. 11, 1931, was born and raised in Demopolis, Alabama. Her family owned a number of businesses, including a cotton merchandising company, a sawmill, timber lands, cattle farms, and cotton farms. As a youngster, Frances was often called by the nickname “Sister” because she was the younger of two sisters in her family.

Once she graduated from high school, Frances earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Livingston University.

In a career that spanned a total of 19 years, Frances taught at all levels, from kindergarten through college. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Frances coached many outstanding sports teams. In fact, she founded a girls’ athletic program for Demopolis City Schools. Participants in her sports programs captured many statewide honors, some of which resulted in college scholarships for several of her students.

In addition to her work as an educator, Frances served her community as an accomplished politician. She was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Alabama State Senate, where she represented District 22 from 1983 to 1986. In fact, she and her colleague, Ann Bedsole, were the first women to serve in the Alabama State Senate.

While in the Senate, Frances worked to strengthen the rights of Alabama’s Native Americans. She was instrumental in the passage of the Davis-Strong Act, which gave official status to six Native American tribes that previously had not been been recognized. As a result of this legislation, a ten-member commission was established to advance the interests of Alabama’s Native American communities. Frances was appointed by then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace to serve on that commission.

On a humorous note, in the 1980s Frances supported the creation of an Alabama Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame. The District she represented is located in southwestern Alabama, which is still considered one of the best turkey hunting spots in the nation. The Senator told the newspaper, “In my District, you don’t mess with folks’ hunting and fishing.”

Today, at age 91, Frances Webb Strong continues to live in her home town, Demopolis, Alabama.