Bob Olivera: Reading specialist, coach, and Athletic Director

Posted on by

The indefatigable Bob Olivera: reading specialist, physical education teacher, coach, and Athletic Director from Southern California. Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Many hardworking educators contribute much to their school communities, but every once in awhile you encounter one who is astonishing in his accomplishments. One of these is the indefatigable Bob Olivera, a reading specialist, physical education teacher, coach, and Athletics Director from Southern California.

Bob was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1941. As a young man, he attended schools in Canton, where he graduated in 1959. Two years later, he enlisted in the US Army. Once he completed his military service, Bob relocated to California and enrolled in college. He attended Chaffey College, where he earned his Associate of Arts degree in 1965. Next he enrolled at the University of LaVerne on a baseball scholarship. There, in 1968, he earned his Bachelor’s degree and his teaching credential. He earned a Master’s degree from the same university in 1970.

Bob inaugurated his career as an educator when he accepted a position as a reading specialist, speech, and p physical education teacher Alta Loma Junior High School in Alta Loma, California. He was employed there from 1968 to 1972. IN 1973, Bob worked at Montclair High School as a reading specialist. He also coached football, basketball, and baseball. Additionally, in the evenings, he taught courses in reading through Chaffey District Adult School. And as if all that wasn’t enough, he also worked as a coach and umpire through the Upland American Legion baseball program.

In 1979, Bob returned to Chaffey College to work as a reading specialist, and three years later, he took on the additional responsibility of serving as the school’s Athletic Director. With all that work, he still found the time to develop and implement a substance abuse program for athletes, and he conducted fundraisers to assist in financing the school’s various athletic programs. Through his efforts, he was able to raise enough money to pay for a new track, scoreboard, and athletic equipment.

In 1995, Bob developed and implanted the school’s annual Hall of Fame event to honor past athletes and service providers. He himself garnered the award in 2011. In addition, he earned the President’s Excellence Award for Meritorious Service for his outstanding contributions to Chaffey College. And to top it off, in 2003, Bob was named one of the 66 most influential people in his community.

Bob retired in 2009 after a career that spanned 41 years, 30 of them at Chaffey College. He passed away on June 13, 2021, at the age of 79. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see his obituary at Legacy.com.

Stephanie Marshall: Inducted into Illinois Hall of Fame

Posted on by

Stephanie Marshall, a mathematics and science educator from Chicago, Illinois, has been inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame. Photo credit: Stephanie Marshall.

I enjoy sharing stories about exemplary educators. One of these is Stephanie Marshall, a mathematics and science educator from Chicago, Illinois. For her work in the field of education, she has been inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.

Stephanie was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. As a young girl, she attended East Meadow High School on Long Island, where she graduated in 1963.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Sociology from Queens College in Flushing, New York, in 1967. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1971. She completed the requirements for her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Industrial Relations from Loyola University of Chicago in 1983. In addition, she has garnered honorary degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University, Aurora University, and North Central College.

Stephanie taught elementary and junior high in Alsip, Illinois. In addition, she taught graduate courses at National Louis University. Later in her career, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Batavia Public School district 101. From 1983 to 1985, she served that school district as the Superintendent. She has also served as the President of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

Stephanie’s career and life’s work has been dedicated to one guiding principle. “Learning must liberate the goodness and genius that resides within each child; and its design must ignite and nurture the power and creativity of the human spirit for the world,” she asserts.

For her work in the classroom, Stephanie has earned many accolades. She received the Order of Lincoln Laureate Award from the Governor of Illinois in 2005. The award is the highest honor that bestowed by the state of Illinois. In 2007, the former classroom teacher was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.

To learn more about this amazing educator, see her website at Stephanie Pace Marshall.

Oregon educator Kim Roberts earns coveted DKG Award

Posted on by

Oregon educator Kim Roberts has earned the coveted Delta Kappa Gamma 2020 Oregon State Organization Award for Service to Education. Photo credit: DKG, Oregon State Organization.

Students in American schools are so fortunate to be served by so many dedicated and hardworking educators. One of these is Kim Roberts, an award-winning educator from Grant’s Pass, Oregon.

Kim works as a District Autism Consultant for the Three Rivers School District in Grant’s Pass in Josephine County. She provides staff and family members information, resources, and training to support autistic students. She is a liaison for connecting families with community agencies. In addition, she serves on the Traumatic Brain Injury team in her area. Kim has a reputation for being compassionate about her work and mindful that every situation is unique. She is careful to tailor instructional plans to meet each student’s need.

For her work, Kim has garnered the Delta Kappa Gamma 2020 Oregon State Organization Award for Service to Education. Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) is a professional organization whose members work together to improve professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships for teachers who need support to improve their professional skills.

Keisha Bell Sowell: AVID Coordinator and national soccer player

Posted on by

Keisha Bell Sowell, a former award-winning American soccer player, now works as an AVID Coordinator in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: Keisha Bell Sowell.

Many excellent classroom teachers have also earned acclaim as fine athletes. One of these is Keisha Bell Sowell, a former award-winning American soccer player who now teaches in Houston, Texas.

Keisha was born on December 20, 1979, in Spring, Texas. As a young girl, she attended Klein Oak High School in her home town. While in high school, she played soccer, playing both outside midfielder and defender. She earned All-District honors in 1996.

Once she graduated from high school, Keisha enrolled at University of Florida, where she majored in Sociology. She was a freshman when she became part of the University of Florida team that garnered the 1998 NCAA Championship. Her position was defender. That year, she served on the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team. In 2001, she was a member of the United States National Team at the Algarve Cup competition, which was held in Portugal. By 2003, she was serving the University of Florida team as a volunteer coach.

Today, Keisha serves as the AVID Coordinator for Woodcreek Middle School in Houston, Texas. She teaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade there. “My passion and joy is investing in kids, especially tweens and young teens,” expresses Keisha. “I embrace each day with a clean slate and hope that just a small piece of what I teach can be instilled in them and impact them for rest of their lives,” she continues.

To learn more about Keisha’s illustrious career as a college soccer player, see this information published by the University of Florida.