Here is an inspirational message about failing, which were originally intended for students. But I think this message is equally important for hardworking teachers who may be in need of an emotional lift right now.
Marilyn Barrueta: 2005 Inductee into Teachers Hall of Fame
Spanish-language educagtor marilyn Barrueta of Virigina was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2005. Photo credit: National Tewachers Hall of Fame.
It is always a wonderful thing when an exceptional educator is recognized for their endeavors. The recognition inspires the rest of us to work harder. I certainly experienced such inspiration when I read the story of Marilyn Barrueta, a Spanish-language teacher from Virginia. This innovative and tireless educator was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2005, after a lengthy and illustrious career that spanned 48 years.
Marilyn was born November 28, 1935. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1957, and completed graduate work at several distinguished institutions, including Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Virginia.
For many years, Marilyn taught Spanish, Advanced Placement Spanish, and Spanish for Native Speakers at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Prior to working at Yorktown High, Marilyn taught English as a second language, math, and social studies at Stratford Junior High School in Virginia. Marilyn also taught summer school sessions for Arlington’s adult education program.
“She challenged me beyond just the classroom,” remembered Marilyn’s former student Julianne Koch, “and when I look back at how much I have grown in the past several years, I know much of it is because of her.”
This very impressive educator was also greatly admired by her peers, and several took the occasion of her induction to express their admiration. “Most impressive to me,” expressed Bill A. Heller, Department Chair of Perry High School, “is Marilyn’s tireless pursuit of knowledge. Through the lens of her experience, she is able to examine and evaluate the most promising new research, techniques and materials, and integrate those new findings with the very best of her vast repertoire of highly effective classroom-tested activities.”
This Chalkboard Champion passed away on November 4, 2010, in McLean, Virginia. She was 74 years old.
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Roberta Sheridan: First Black teacher in Baltimore public schools
Many fine educators have worked tirelessly towards advancing the cause of hiring African Americans as public school teaches. One of these is Roberta Sheridan. She was the first African American to teach public school in Baltimore, Maryland.
Roberta was born in Baltimore County, Maryland. The exact date of her birth is unknown, but it is believed she was born in 1864. As a young girl, she attended the segregated schools in her home town.
When she grew up, Roberta dedicated herself to the teaching profession. As an African American teacher during the age of segregation, Roberta faced difficulties finding employment. Despite discrimination, records describe her teaching career from 1883 until her death in 1918. She was an avid supporter of the movement to garner government support of education for African American children in Baltimore. Prior to 1867 African American children were educated largely in churches, private schools, or free schools organized by the American Missionary Association and the Association for the Improvement of Colored People. When these schools were turned over to Baltimore City in the fall of 1867 students were taught exclusively by white teachers.
We know that Roberta taught in school in Baltimore County between 1882 and 1888. In 1888, she secured a position at the Waverly Colored Public School. In 1889, after a heated debate over allowing African American teachers to work in public schools in the city, she transferred to School #9, where she became a member of the first staff of teachers to work at that school.
While teaching at Waverly, Roberta met fellow teacher George W. Biddle. She left the classroom to marry him. By the time two years had elapsed, Roberta had given birth to a daughter and left her husband because of spousal abuse. After her divorce, Roberta returned to the classroom. She taught at School #108 until she passed away in 1918 following a brief illness.
To read more about Roberta Sheridan, click on this link to Archives of Maryland: Biographical Series.
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Covid-19 claims Florida teacher Deborah Menendez Holloway
Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another dedicated educator. Deborah Menendez Holloway, an elementary Language Arts teacher from Jacksonville, Florida, succumbed to the disease on Jan. 11, 2021. Photo credit: Holloway family
Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another dedicated educator. Deborah Menendez Holloway, an elementary Language Arts teacher from Jacksonville, Florida, succumbed to the disease on Jan. 11, 2021. She was 51 years old.
Deborah was born on Nov. 16, 1969, on Staten Island, New York, where she was also raised. In 2000 she relocated to Florida and inaugurated her 20-year career as an educator in the Duval County Public School District. She taught three years at Rutledge Pearson Elementary School, and then moved to Love Grove Elementary, where she taught for 17 years. This year, she taught second and third grade at Arlington Elementary.
“She loved teaching,” remembers Deborah’s daughter, Regina Holloway. “She loved letting kids know that they were understood, and they weren’t alone, and they had powerful minds and voices,” Holloway continued.
The fallen educator made a deep impression on students and colleagues alike. “I first met Ms. Holloway in 2000,” remembers co-worker Dorothy Monts. “We were on the same language arts team, teaching 4th grade at Rutledge Pearson Elementary. I was new and she was so helpful with every thing I needed,” Monts says. “Her students loved her even when she had to be strict with them because they knew it came out of love. She is really going to be missed!” Monts concluded.
Former student Obri Richardson, now college-aged, agreed. “Love Grove Elementary will never be the same without my fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Deborah Holloway,” Richardson remarked. “From her comical remarks to her pouring of wisdom, she touched the hearts and souls of those on the margins. I’m glad to say I was one of them who she both taught and touched,” Richardson expressed.
To read more about this beloved educator, read this story about her published by the Florida Times-Union.
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Timothy Shriver: Disability rights activist and former teacher
Timothy Shriver, former classroom teacher and disability rights activist, works with children involved in Special Olympics International. Photo credit: Cape Cod Life Publications.
There are many compelling stories of public school teachers who work tirelessly for the improvement of their communities. One is Timothy Shriver, a Connecticut educator who now serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Special Olympics International.
Timothy was born in Massachusetts in 1959, the third child of former US Ambassador Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy. Eunice Shriver is renowned for founding the Special Olympics program which recognizes the athletic abilities of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical challenges.
As a youngster, Timothy attended St. Albans School. He earned his Bachelors degree from Yale University in 1981, and his Master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in 1988. He completed the requirements for his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Connecticut in 1996.
Once he earned his degrees, Timothy spent 15 years as an educator in public high schools in New Haven, Connecticut. Some of these years he was employed as a special education teacher. Later, Timothy worked for Upward Bound through the University of Connecticut as a teacher and counselor of disadvantaged adolescents.
Timothy was instrumental in establishing the Social Development Project in New Haven, and also established the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has served on the Board of directors of The Future Project, a national organization that empowers young people to create positive social change. In addition, he is a Fellow at the School Development Program at the Yale Child Study Center. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board for Special Olympics International.
As if all this were not enough, Timothy has produced four films, authored The New York Times bestselling book Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most, and has published numerous articles in a variety of newspapers and magazines.
For his exemplary work, Timothy has earned many accolades. In 1995 was named Connecticut Citizen of the Year. He also garnered a Presidential Medallion from the University of Illinois. In 2015, he was named a Walter Camp Distinguished American.
To read more about Timothy, click on this link to an interview conducted with him by ESPN.
