Jennifer Wolfe named New York’s 2021 Teacher of the Year
Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Wolfe, a social studies educator from Oceanside, New York. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: New York State United Teachers.
Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Wolfe, a social studies educator from Oceanside, New York. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer’s career as an educator has spanned 24 years. She currently teaches pre-Advanced Placement World History to ninth graders at Oceanside High School in Oceanside, New York. “Jen’s commitment to her profession is simply awe-inspiring,” expressed Andy Pallotta, President of New York State United Teachers. “Her dedication to her practice, and her passion for constantly elevating not only her career but the career of her colleagues, is why teachers in New York State’s public schools consistently rank among the nation’s very best,” he continued. “Teachers like Jen change students’ lives, and ensure they not only have the opportunity, but the tools and readiness to succeed,” Pallotta concluded.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, the honored educator attended the 2015 US Department of Education’s Teach to Lead Boston Summit. Later she hosted her own ED Leadership Lab at Adelphi University. She co-created the Long Island Teacher Leadership Powered by Teach to Lead Conference in 2017. The Conference brought together educators to work with national, state, and local leaders. From 2015-2018, Jennifer held a position of prominence on the Network to Transform Teaching Grant from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In addition, she presents at state and national conferences and is featured on TeachingChannel.org.
This is not the only award Jennifer has garnered for her work in the classroom. She was named the New York State Council for Social Studies High School Teacher of the Year in 2005. She also garnered Fulbright-Hays Scholarships in 2000 and 2004, and was selected for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in 2004.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Earlham College in 1991, and her Master’s degree in Teaching in 1996. She also holds an honorary Ph.D. from Clarkson University. She is the first teacher in her district to earn a National Board Certification.
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Italian immigrant and progressive educator Leonard Covello
Teacher Leonard Covello, an Italian immigrant, developed progressive educational reforms that are still in use today. Photo credit: Ralph Morse, TiimeLife Images.
Leonard Covello was just nine years old in 1896 when he immigrated to New York City with his family from the little village of Avigliano in southern Italy. But he grew up to become one of America’s greatest educators, developing and instituting progressive community-centered educational programs. These programs are characterized by close links between the school, the home, and the community, and are still a model for today’s educational institutions.
As an immigrant student himself, Leonard understood the unique needs of this particular group of students, and, as an Italian immigrant, he recognized the specific conflicts between the home and the family experienced by most Italian immigrant children. Drawing from his personal experience, Leonard was able to develop innovative school programs that allowed Italian immigrant students to succeed in American public schools in ways they had never realized before. His observations and solutions are still applicable to certain groups of students we find in today’s classrooms.
You can read more about this innovative teacher and principal in my book, Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers Who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students, available from amazon at the following link: Chalkboard Champions. You can also learn more about this remarkable educator in Teacher with a Heart: Reflections on Leonard Covello and Community by Vito Perrone. This volume is available from amazon at the following link: Teacher with a Heart. In addition to analysis by Perrone, the book contains lengthy excerpts from Leonard Covello’s autobiography, now out of print.
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South Dakota’s Paula Hawks: Science teacher and politician
Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher from South Dakota, has also served her community in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: South Dakota Public Radio.
There are many fine educators who have also demonstrated a knack for politics. One of these is Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher who has also served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Paula was born on Sept. 11, 1975, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was raised on a farm in Flandreau in her home state. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from South Dakota State University in 1998. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Technology for Education and Training from the University of South Dakota in 2008.
Paula began her professional career serving as a research assistant for South Dakota State University. She later worked as a residential instructor at SouthEastern Behavioral Healthcare. But then she discovered her niche in the field of education. Paula inaugurated her career as an educator by accepting a position as a teacher of Technology Integration in the West Central School District. She worked there from 2002 to 2012. During those ten years, she served as an Oral Interpretation Coach in the schools.
In 2012, the former science teacher was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 9 in the South Dakota House of Representatives. She held this position from 2013 to 2017. While in the South Dakota House, she served on the Committees for Education and Local Government. In addition, she was selected Minority Whip from 2015 to 2017. In 2019, Paula was elected her state’s party chair. Throughout her political career, her focus has been on seniors, farmers and ranchers, equality for women and education, and student loan debt.
Today, Paula works as a Career Services Coordinator and Student Success advisor at Southeast Technical Falls in Sioux Falls.
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Alabama’s Catharine Brown: Cherokee teacher and author
Alabama’s Catharine Brown, a Cherokee who, during the early 19th century, worked as a missionary teacher, also became a celebrated author. Her memoirs were widely distributed and immensely popular.
There are many examples of Native Americans who became teachers and leaders in their community. Some have also become celebrated authors. One of these was Catharine Brown, a Cherokee who, during the early 19th century, worked as a missionary teacher and writer.
Catherine was born at the turn of the century, circa 1800, in a small village in Cherokee Indian Territory, Alabama, approximately 25 miles southeast of the Tennessee River. Her parents, Yau-nu-gung-yah-ski (“Drowned by a Bear”), known by Westerners as John Brown, and Tsa-luh, known as Sarah, held a place of prominence in their tribe.
As a young girl of about 17, Catharine attended the Brainerd Missionary School. Her progress there was impressive. In only three months, she learned to read the Bible in the English language. Then she became a tutor to younger students in the school. May 1820, Catharine accepted a position as a teacher at a school for Native Americans established at Creek Path, her home town. The school opened with 20 students, but enrollment continued to grow, as both children and their parents were eager to learn.
In 1821, Catharine left the school to nurse her brother John, who had contracted tuberculosis. Unfortunately, he did not survive. Soon after he died, Catharine began to show symptoms of the deadly disease. By 1823, her condition was so serious that she was transported by canoe to the home of a missionary doctor. But, sadly, she died on July 18, 1823. She was not older than 23.
One year after her passing, Catherine’s biography was published. The volume, entitled Memoir of Catharine Brown, A Christian Indian of the Cherokee Nation, was widely distributed and became immensely popular. Largely forgotten in the following centuries, Catharine Brown has recently been rediscovered as an influential Native American leader and writer. You can find her memoir on amazon.
