Kentucky teacher and politician Tina Bojanowski

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Elementary school teacher Tina Bojanowski also serves in the Kentucky State House of Representatives. Photo credit: tinaforkentucky.com

Many fine educators also achieve success in careers in politics. One of these is Tina Bojanowski, an elementary school teacher who also serves her community in the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

Tina was born August 29, 1964, and she was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. After she graduated from Louisville Central High School in 1982, Tina earned first her Bachelor’s degree in 1986, and then her Master’s in Business Administration in 1991, both from the University of Louisville. In 2010, she earned a second Master’s degree, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education, and in 2017, she graduated with her Ph.D. Both the MAT and the Ph.D. were from Bellarmine University. Even as a student, Tina’s talent as an educator was evident. In 2009, she garnered the Bellarmine Outstanding Prospective Educator Award.

As an educator, Tina teaches Special Education at Watterson Elementary School in Louisville. The school is part of the Jefferson County Public School District. She has taught there for the past 11 years. Previously, she served as the Manager and Head Coach of the Kentucky Gymnastics Academy, a position she held for 29 years.

In 2018, Tina was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represents District 32. Her term will continue to 2022. Among the committees she is a member of are the Committee on Education; Transportation; and Health, Welfare, and Family Services. As a legislator, Tina steadfastly supports education. High quality public education for all is a critical component of our society,” she declares. “It is time to shift the focus in education away from testing and toward deeper learning for all students,” she continues.

This hardworking educator also belongs to several community organizations. For example, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Teachers Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

To learn more about Tina, see this article written about her published by Emerge Kentucky.

 

Florida’s Linda Gancitano: PE teacher and soccer player

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Florida physical education teacher Linda Gancitano is also a former US Women’s Soccer team player. Photo credit: Sports Industry Conference.

There are many fine educators who have also made a name for themselves as excellent athletes. One of these is Linda Gancitano, a former US Soccer Team player who now teaches in Florida.

Linda was born on Jan. 24, 1962, in Coral Springs, Florida. As a youngster, she discovered her talent for soccer, and did so well she was placed on the boys’ soccer team. In fact, she was the first girl to play on a high school boys’ soccer team in Florida.

Once she graduated from high school, Linda enrolled at the University of Central Florida, where she played college soccer from 1981 to 1985. In fact, in 1982, the talented athlete was selected to play in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. In that tournament, she garnered the honor of Defensive MVP. She won other honors in college, too. She was chosen as one of the team’s most valuable players in 1981, and she earned the Coaches’ Award in 1984. And, as if all that were not enough, Linda was selected to be a member of the first-ever US Women’s National Soccer team in 1985. She played for three years, until a sports injury in 1986 forced her to leave the team.

Today, Linda teaches Physical Education at Driftwood Middle School (DMS) Academy of Health and Wellness in Florida. There she also coaches the volleyball team and advises the school’s peer counseling class.

In 2008, Linda established the Green Team at her school to encourage students to reduce their energy and water use. She created a school-based environmental challenge called “How Low Can You Go?” The challenge gets students involved by serving as energy auditors for classrooms. The school was named a Green Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 2013. Over time, this program has been expanded districtwide through a partnership with the professional basketball team Miami Heat.

So far, Linda’s career as an educator has spanned 32 years. For her work in the classroom, Linda has received many accolades. She was named a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy; a SHAPE Florida Teacher of the Year; and Florida Green School Teacher of the Year.

To read more about Linda Gancitano, see her profile in Linked In.

Mississippi teacher Megean Millis succumbs to Covid-19

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Sadly, biology teacher Megean Millis of Picayne, Mississippi, succumbed to Covid-19 on August 4, 2021. Photo credit: McDonald Funeral Home.

Sadly, the educational community is mourning the loss of yet another teacher to Covid-19. Megean Millis succumbed to the disease on August 4, 2021. She was just 26 years old.

Megean was born on September 26, 1994, in her native town of Pecayune, Mississippi. As a teenager, she graduated from Pecayune Memorial High School in 2013. After her high school graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi. At the time of her passing, Megean was working on her Master’s degree from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Once she earned her degrees, the neophyte educator returned to her alma mater, Picayune High School, where she taught Biology 1, Foundations of Biology, ACT Science & Reading, and Physics. She also served as the coach of the school’s “Pride of the Tide” Dance Team.

The popular teacher, who was not vaccinated, became ill while on vacation with her family a month before her death. She passed away just one day before classes for the 2021-2022 school year were set to begin.

Angel Santiago named NJ’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher and musician Angel Santiago of Blackwood, New Jersey, has been named his states 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: the Philadelphia Inquirer.

I enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Angel Santiago, an elementary school teacher from New Jersey who has been named his state’s 2021 State Teacher of the Year.

Angel teaches fifth grade Language Arts at Loring Flemming Elementary School in Blackwood, New Jersey. In addition, he leads an after school club called Young People of Character (YPOC), a group of fourth and fifth grade students from diverse social backgrounds. As members of the club, the students perform a variety of community service projects. Through YPOC, Angel works toward raising leaders who are strong, empathetic, and who reflect the community which, one day, they will lead.

“I teach because I get to participate in cultivating the most precious resource this world has to offer: our future, our children,” Angel declares. “Teaching is my passion,” he continues. “It is the reason why I get up every day with a positive outlook on life and the reason why I can fall asleep each night feeling fulfilled with my worldly duties,” he concludes.

Angel not only teaches, but he is also a musician. Before launching his career as an educator, he toured the country with an alternative rock band, Days Like These. The band recorded two albums together. Today, he sings and plays the guitar, and is often hired to perform at local weddings. Angel says he often infuses his lesson plans with music.

After his graduation from Vineland High School in Vineland, New Jersey, in 2002, Angel earned his Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and his Master’s degree in Education, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. While in college, he became a member of both Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Societies.
The honored educator has taught his entire professional career in Camden County. In 2012 he began teaching in the Lindenwold Public Schools, and in 2013 he moved to Gloucester Township Public Schools, where he teaches today.
To read more about this amazing educator, see this article about him published in The Philadelphia Inquirer.