The intrepid Prudence Crandall: Connecticut’s Female State Hero

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Prudence Crandall

Intrepid teacher Prudence Crandall named Connecticut’s Female State Hero. Photo Credit: Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

There are many courageous teachers who have made great sacrifices for the sake of their students. One of these was Prudence Crandall, a Connecticut teacher who lost everything she owned in order to educate African American girls in a time when doing so was unheard of.

In 1831, Prudence, a Quaker by faith, opened a boarding school for young ladies in Canterbury, Connecticut. By the end of the first year, she had earned the praise of parents, community members, and students throughout New England. Then one day an African American student named Sarah Harris asked to be admitted to the academy. Sarah said she wanted to learn how to be a teacher so she could open her own school for Black students. Prudence knew admitting an African American student would generate some resistance from her neighbors, but after some soul-searching, she decided her conscience and her religious convictions would not allow her to refuse the request. Unfortunately, Prudence had severely under-estimated the resistance she would encounter for this decision.

Figuring the complaint from her detractors was that she was operating an integrated school, the intrepid teacher closed her academy for white girls and re-opened as an academy for “misses of color.” That just made the situation worse. Her action caused ripples all the way up to the US Supreme Court and resulted in Prudence’s brief incarceration in the local jail. After lawless community members set fire to her school, Prudence was forced to close the academy and leave town.

Years later, however, the courageous stance taken by Prudence Crandall resulted in the intrepid teacher being named the Female State Hero for Connecticut. You can read more of the gripping account of what happened with this unflinching educator in my second book, Chalkboard Heroes, now available on amazon.com.

Former NJ teacher Amy Kennedy: Promoter of mental health wellness

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Former middle school teacher Amy Kennedy of New Jersey is a passionate advocate for programs that promote mental health wellness. Photo Credit: New Jersey Globe

There are many fine classroom teachers who also work diligently to promote causes that improve the lives of others. One of these is Amy Kennedy, a middle school teacher from New Jersey who is a passionate advocate for programs that promote mental health wellness.

Amy was born Amy Savell on Nov. 20, 1978, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She is the daughter of two parents who were teachers. Amy was raised in nearby suburbs Pleasantville and Absecon, where she attended Holy Spirit High School. After her graduation in 1997, Amy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University. Later she earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Education fro Nova Southeastern University. Once she earned her degrees, Amy accepted a teaching position with Northfield Community Schools. She taught history at the middle school level for more than a decade.

In 2011, Amy married former US Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy. The wedding took place at the Kennedy family compound in Hyanisport, Massachusetts, in a ceremony officiated by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

After her husband founded the Kennedy Forum, a mental health advocacy group, Amy served the organization as the Education Director. There she works on establishing partnerships and collaborations that emphasize evidence-based research and programming to facilitate policy changes in education and mental health. In addition to her work at the Kennedy Forum, Amy serves on the boards of Mental Health America, a leading national advocacy organization, and Parity.org, which promotes gender equality at the highest levels of business. She is a member to the advisory board of Interaxon, a mental health technology company; Set To Go, a program affiliated with the JED Foundation that helps teenagers transition from high school to college; and Brain Futures, an organization that promotes effective applications of brain science to maximize human potential.

In the 2020 elections, Amy made a bid for a seat in the New Jersey State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. Her platform focused on mental health issues, education, and the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. Her candidacy was endorsed by former President Barack Obama. Despite this support, Amy’s campaign was unsuccessful.

Currently, Amy lives with her husband and five children in Brigantine, New Jersey.

Congrats to Ethelyn Tumalad, Oregon’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations to high school teacher Ethelyn Tumalad of Oregon, who has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: oregonteacheroftheyear.org

Hearty congratulations to Ethelyn Tumalad, a high school educator who has been named Oregon’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Ethelyn teaches Language Arts and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at Clackamas High School in Clackamas, Oregon. She also serves as her school’s advisor for the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union, and she participates in her District’s Educator of Color affinity group. She is part of Equity Sparks, a part of the Oregon Education Organization, where she is a champion for equitable causes in Oregon’s education system. Her career as an educator has spanned five years.

Colt Gill, Chief of State Schools, praises the honored teacher. “Ethelyn infuses her classroom with community, belonging and empathy – all critical components for ensuring students feel welcome and safe,” he asserts. Ethelyn’s students agree. In a letter of support, a former student described the exemplary teacher as “hands down one of the best and most thoughtful teachers I have ever had.” The student wrote that Ethelyn sees and treats each student who walks into her classroom like a family member and looks for ways to change their lives for the better. “She is the reason many kids even came to school … and she taught me how to be myself in a world that’s constantly telling me to be something I’m not,” the letter continued.

Perhaps Ethelyn’s emphasis on inclusion stems from the fact that she is a first-generation immigrant from The Philippines. She was only five years old when her family immigrated to the Pacific Northwest. Later, Ethelyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Western Washington University. She earned a Master’s degree in English Literature and a second Master’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from Portland State University.

Congrats, Ethelyn!

Wyoming Teacher Brittney Montgomery named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Brittney Montgomery, an elementary school teacher from Green River, Wyoming, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: CCSSO.org

I always enjoy sharing stories about educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Brittney Montgomery, an elementary school teacher from Green River, Wyoming. She’s been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Brittney teaches first grade at Harrison Elementary School in Sweetwater County School District No. 2 in Green River. In addition to her work in the classroom, the honored educator serves on her school’s Leadership Committee. She also volunteers as the secretary for the Green River Education Association. She mentors new teachers and spends time helping college students as they pursue their degrees.

The Wyoming Teacher of the Year faces a significant responsibility to represent the teaching profession throughout the state. Over the course of the coming year, Brittney will act as a liaison between the teaching community, the Wyoming Legislature, the Wyoming Department of Education, school districts, and communities. In addition, the Teacher of the Year serves an education ambassador to businesses, parents, service organizations, and media, and as an education leader in teacher forums.

Brittney earned the Teacher of the Year honors for her deep commitment to students. “She’s all about kids, and she’s all about doing what’s best for kids,” asserts Harrison Elementary Principal Stephen Lake. “It’s exciting. It’s exciting for teachers to be recognized for the hard, hard job that they have,” he continued.

Here’s an example of Brittney’s commitment to her students. When schools were closed at the beginning of the pandemic, she launched an online program to read stories aloud to help children stay connected. Her work was reported by a local news source, and “Storytime with Mrs. Montgomery” was shared with thousands of children across the country.

Brittney’s career as an educator has spanned 12 years. As a fourth-generation teacher in her family, Brittney demonstrated a passion for teaching from a young age. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Grand Canyon University.

To read more about Brittney Montgomery, read this article published about her in the Green River Star.