How teachers help preserve our democracy

Posted on by

Today we celebrate the birth of our country! In contemplating the importance of this day, I am reminded of the role our nation’s many Chalkboard Champions have played throughout history to preserve and perpetuate the freedoms we all enjoy.

Classroom educators teach our children about our nation’s rich heritage, our history, and our system of government. They lead children in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance daily. They guide students in the creation of hand-traced turkeys at Thanksgiving. They teach them the words and music to our patriotic songs. They design lessons about the accomplishments of our presidents and social reformers such as political activist Martin Luther King and labor leader Cesar Chavez. They remind students of the contributions of our veterans. They organize patriotic festivities throughout the year. Our teachers even educate our kids about our failures so that we can become a better democracy.

And let’s not forget that many of our nation’s courageous teachers have become, themselves, a part of our country’s rich and varied historical record. There are many fine examples. Think of Olive Mann Isbell, the Ohio teacher who was one of many pioneers who established a school in the Wild West frontier. Remember Christa McAuliffe, the New Hampshire history teacher who became the first educator in space. Think of Henry Alvin Cameron, the Tennessee science teacher who sacrificed his life for freedom in the WWI Battle of the Argonne Forest. Appreciate Robert Parris Moses, the New York City math teacher who played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Think of Carrie Chapman Catt, the Iowa teacher who dedicated her life to earning the right to vote for women. Consider Zitkala-Sa, the South Dakota teacher who worked to secure the vote for Native Americans.

From sea to shining sea, there are thousands of teachers in our nation’s history who have made contributions to our society in large ways or quiet ways as veterans, activists, and supporters of our democracy. We thank them all for the freedoms we celebrate today.

You can read about some of these heroic teachers in my first book, Chalkboard Champions, or in my second book, Chalkboard Heroes, both available on amazon.

Most of all, experience and enjoy your Independence Day!

 

Sally W. Morris: Educator and tireless volunteer

Posted on by

Sally W. Morris, a middle school teacher from Redlands, California, who was a tireless volunteer in many areas of her community. Photo credit: Legacy.

Many dedicated educators give so much, not only to their students in the classroom, but also to their communities. One of these is Sally W. Morris, a middle school teacher from Redlands, California, who was a tireless volunteer in many areas of her community.

Sally Wieschendorff was born on April 23, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1949, her family relocated to Los Angeles, California, and they settled in San Marino. In 1957, Sally completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree from University of Redlands with a double major in Education and Political Science.

In 1961, Sally married Pat Morris and the couple moved to Stanford. Sally inaugurated her career as an educator in the nearby town of San Carlos. By 1964, the couple returned to San Bernardino County, and Sally accepted a position as a middle school teacher. In addition to her work in the classroom, Sally organized, trained, and supervised volunteers for the Students in the Courthouse program that brought students to the Central Courthouse to learn about our nation’s legal and justice system. She was also instrumental in the founding of the Community Arts Productions, and she served as a docent for the San Bernardino Symphony’s Music in the Schools program. And, as if all this were not enough, Sally served as the President of the University of Redlands Alumni Association.

For many decades, Sally also made significant contributions to her community. She co-founded a nonprofit organization to assure children and youth confined to Juvenile hall would be able to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and graduations. She made weekly deliveries of surplus food from Inland Harvest to feed the hungry at both the Salvation Army and the Frazee Community Center. She also organized a group of volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino to collect, pack, and distribute care packages filled with groceries to needy families in her area. And in 1990, after working with former President Jimmy Carter on a Habitat for Humanity project in Tijuana, Sally co-founded the San Bernardino Area Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

And all of this only scratches the surface of this remarkable educator’s accomplishments. Sadly, she passed away on June 11, 2021. She was 82 years old. To read more about her, see the obituary published by Legacy.

Georgia teacher William Henry Spencer worked to improve education for Black students

Posted on by

William Henry Spencer of Columbus, Georgia, was an exemplary public school teacher who worked tirelessly to provide excellent educational opportunities for African American students. Photo credit: Public Domain.

In our nation’s history, there are many fine examples of African American educators who have worked tirelessly to provide quality education to Black students. William Henry Spencer was one such educator.

William was born on September 21, 1857, in the city of Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia. He was one of eight children of a local blacksmith. As a youngster, William attended Asbury Chapel, a Columbus public school which served African American students. In his later years, this lifelong learner enrolled in Clark College, a historically Black private college located in Atlanta, Georgia.

William gained his teaching certificate in 1875 and inaugurated his teaching career in Harris County schools. Before long, he transferred to the city school system in his home town of Columbus. For the next fifty years, William dedicated himself to improving the curriculum of segregated schools, and he worked diligently to establish courses in fine arts and vocational practices. Because of his expertise, he was selected as the Supervisor of the Colored Schools in Muscogee County, a position he held from 1912 to 1925. During this time, William’s passion was to establish an accredited high school for African American students in Columbus. His dream was finally realized with the opening of a new facility on November 29, 1930. The school was named William Henry Spencer High School in his honor.

Sadly, William did not live long enough to see the realization of his goal. This Chalkboard Champion died of complications of appendicitis on May 30, 1925. He was 67 years old.

Rhode Island educator Ashley Adamson earns Teacher of the Year award

Posted on by

Rhode Island educator Ashley Adamson, who teaches third grade at Hathaway Elementary in Portsmouth, has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: East Bay Rhode Island.

Congratulations are in order for educator Ashley Adamson of Rhode Island, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Ashley teaches third grade at Hathaway Elementary in Portsmouth.

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Rhode Island. She has taught in Portsmouth since 2010. She has spent the last six years at Hathaway Elementary since 2015. Her daily lessons consist of small-group, differentiated instruction that derives from assessment data and self-reflection. Lisa Little, Principal of Hathaway, describes Ashely as an outstanding teacher. “Whether interacting with students, communicating with parents, sharing with colleagues, leading or attending professional development activities, she excels at her job,” expressed Little. “Her knowledge of children and how they learn and her genuine love of teaching are extraordinary.”

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she has served as an instructor for the RICAS Ramp Up Program, as a presenter on social and emotional learning for colleagues, and as a pilot teacher for a new adoption of the English Language Arts curriculum. In addition, she has served as a middle school coach for softball, basketball, and soccer; as a student counselor advisor; and as an advisor for the school robotics group. Her career as an educator has spanned a total of 14 years.

For her work as an educator, Ashley has earned many accolades. In addition to Rhode Island’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, she has been recognized as the 2019 Portsmouth Teacher of the Year; she earned an Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Learning (ECET) Award in 2018; and she garnered Carter Spark Grants in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

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

Alaska’s Lorene Harrison: Pioneer music teacher

Posted on by

Lorene Harrison, pioneer teacher, ventured to Alaska while it was still a territory. She was the first music teacher in the Territory. Photo credit: Anchorage Legends and Legacies Project.

I love to share stories of courageous teachers who have earned a name for themselves as intrepid pioneers. One such teacher is Lorene Cuthberton Harrison, a music teacher and singer who ventured to Alaska while it was still a territory.

Lorene Cuthberton was born in March 7, 1905, in Sterling, Kansas. After her high school graduation in 1922, she enrolled in Sterling College in Kansas, where she majored in Home Economics. She earned her Bachelor’s degree and her teaching certificate in 1928. At the time, she was 23 years old.

The same year she graduated, this pioneering lady traveled to Alaska Territory, where she became the first music teacher in Anchorage schools. She also taught courses in home economics, general science, and geography. When she arrived, Anchorage had only 2,500 residents and the high school had only six teachers. Her salary was $180 a month, compared to the $60 per month that her friends were paid as teachers in Kansas.

Two years after her arrival, the pioneer educator married Jack Harrison, a local railroad engineer. The couple had two daughters. While raising her children, Lorene continued to teach music and theater. She also continued to sing for others, performing at private and public events such as weddings and funerals. When World War II erupted, Lorene worked for the United Service Organizations (USO).

After her husband passed away in 1968, Lorene opened her own boutique which she called Hat Box. The store sold clothing and hats that she personally designed. The former teacher ran her store for 30 years. She also launched herself into various cultural activities in Anchorage. She organized the United Choir of All Faiths, which was the forerunner of the Anchorage Community Chorus; she served as the first president of the Anchorage Concert Association; she was on the founding boards of the Anchorage Arts Council, the Anchorage Civic Opera, and the Anchorage Little Theatre, and she served as the director of the First Presbyterian Church Choir for 29 years.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away at the age of 100 in 2005 in Anchorage, Alaska. She was interred in the pioneer tract of the Anchorage Memorial Park. In 2009, Lorene Harrison was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. You can read more about this intrepid lady at the link AlaskaHistory.org. You can also purchase Mostly Music: The Biography of Alaskan Cultural Pioneer Lorene Harrison, which can be found on amazon.com.