Gayle Wright: Science teacher and member of PA House of Reps

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Former high school science teacher Gayle Wright also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania House of Representatives)

Many fine educators have also made their mark as successful politicians. One of these is Gayle Wright, a high school science teacher who was also elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Gayle was born in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, on February 3, 1951. As a young woman, she attended Port Huron Northern High School, where she graduated in 1969.

Following her high school graduation, Gayle attended the University of Akron in Akron Ohio.  As a STEM-focused institution, the school curriculum focuses on industries such as polymers, advanced materials, and engineering. There Gayle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Geology in 1973. She also completed graduate courses in Correctional Counseling at Gannon University, a private Catholic university located in Erie, Pennsylvania. .

After earning her college degree, Gayle taught science at both the high school and middle school levels in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was employed in both the Millcreek and the Erie School Districts.

Gayle inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected to serve on the Erie City Council. She served a total of three terms in that capacity. In 2001, the former teacher was elected on the Democratic ticket in a special election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District. That district covers Erie County. She served there until Nov. 30, 2002. There she served on the Committees for Environmental Resources and Energy; Local Government; and State Government. In addition to her responsibilities in the House, Gayle has been involved in many civic groups. She has been a member of the Democratic Women’s Council and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and 2008. In addition, she has served on the Children’s Museum Board and the Cable T.V. Access Board.

To learn more about Gayle’s work as a legislator, see this link to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Hubbard Yetman: New York teacher, veteran, and politician

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Teacher, American veteran, and politician Hubbard Yetman of New York. (Photo credit: Prominent Men of Staten Island (1893), Internet Archive)

Many fine educators log accomplishments in fields outside of the classroom. One of these was Hubbard Yetman, a school teacher from New York who also achieved success as a local and state politician.

Hubbard was born on August 28, 1847, in Englishtown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. As a young boy, he attended school at Monmouth Hall in Freehold.

Hubbard was only 15 years old when he enlisted in the 14th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to fight in the Civil War. His unit was part of the Army of the Potomac, and young Hubbard participated in all of the engagements of his unit. First he served on the front lines as a drummer, and then he was appointed an adjutant’s clerk. Although he was once wounded, his injuries were not severe, and he stayed with his unit until the War Between the States was won.

Once the Civil War was over, Hubbard taught public school in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York. His career as an educator there spanned 15 years. Once he left the classroom, he served his town as the Justice of the Peace and sold insurance. In 1888, Hubbard was elected to the New York State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. There he represented New York’s Richmond County. He was re-elected to this position for two additional terms. While there, the legislature improved local tax laws, increased the county’s police force, and created a pension fund for retired police officers. In 1893, the former teacher was elected School Commissioner, but he declined to serve. However, he did accept an opportunity to serve as the Town Supervisor for Westfield in 1897. When New York City consolidated, the former teacher was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools representing Richmond. He held that position until 1902.

This remarkable educator and politician passed away on October 18, 1924. He is interred in Bethel Cemetery in Staten Island. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article entitled Prominent Men of Staten Island, (1893) published in the Internet Archive.

 

Texas Teacher Librarian Maria Lourdes Luna succumbs to Covid-19

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Maria Lourdes Luna, a Teacher Librarian for Burleson Elementary School in Odessa, Texas, succumbed to Covid-19 on December 24, 2020. She was 62 years old. (Photo credit: Dignity Memorial)

Sadly, we report that yet another beloved educator has died from Covid-19. Teacher Librarian Maria Lourdes Luna of Odessa, Texas, succumbed to the disease on December 24, 2020. She was 62 years old.

Maria was born on December 18, 1958, in Marfa, Texas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. In 1997, she earned her Master’s degree in Reading from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Later she earned her credential as a Library Media Specialist.

The career of this dedicated educator spanned a total of 39 years. At the time of her passing, she was employed by Odessa’s Ector County Independent School District. She worked for the school district for 37 years, all of which were spent at Burleson Elementary School. According to family members, Maria “believed in the power of reading, and she was passionate about her job. She wanted success for each one of her students. She took pride in her school and was always eager to help. She loved her job, she loved her colleagues, but most of all she loved her students.”

In addition to her responsibilities in the library, Maria was very active with her local Parent Teacher Association. She also organized spelling bees and Blue Bonnet programs for her school. The Texas Bluebonnet Award Program is a state-wide program for students in grades 3-6. Librarians nominate 20 new children’s books each year from different genres to be on the Bluebonnet list. The purpose of the program is to promote free-choice reading and expose students to a variety of quality literature.

To read more about Maria Lourdes Luna, click on this link to the obituary published by Dignity Memorial.

Educator Bonnie Bracey Sutton: Spokesperson for the profession

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Educator and consultant Bonnie Bracey Sutton is a spokesperson for the profession.  (Photo credit: Educational Technology & Change)

I think it is wonderful when a fellow educators become spokespersons for our profession in Washington, DC. One such educator is Bonnie Bracey Sutton, a former elementary school teacher who now works as a technology consultant.

Bonnie taught at the Ashlawn Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, and was a teacher-in-residence at the Arlington Career Center, where she taught all subjects. Since 2004, Bonnie has served as the Education Director for Digital Equity and Social Justice. The Digital Equity Network enables educators, researchers, and educational reformers to be aware of policies, news, and new technologies. She is also an active member of the Digital Divide Network and does preventative work on cyber-bullying.

Bonnie was one of the first teachers to promote the role of the internet in classroom instruction. She was the only teacher selected by the Clinton administration to serve on the National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIIAC). Bonnie also served as the lead educator on President Clinton’s 21st Century Teacher Initiative.

This remarkable educator is a graduate researcher at George Mason University’s Telecommunications Department, where she evaluated new programs and technologies. She was also a member of the George Lucas Educational Foundation advisory board.

Throughout her career, Bonnie has earned many accolades. She was named a Christa McAuliffe Educator for the National Foundation of Education, and she is a faculty member of the Challenger Center. She was  named a Young Astronaut teacher and, in 1990, was named a Challenger Fellow. That year she received the President’s Award in Teaching in Science. Bonnie has also attended the Hubbell Space Science Institute and holds honors in a variety of fields in educational fields, including technology, aerospace, physics, geography, and multicultural education. She has also earned a graduate degree from Marymount University SED program.

Bonnie Bracey Sutton: Truly a Chalkboard Champion. To read more about her, see her articles published by the George Lucas Foundation on Edutopia.

Judith Isaacson: Math teacher and Holocaust survivor

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Many educators have had unique life experiences they share with students. One was Judith Isaacson, a Holocaust survivor who taught high school math in Maine.

Many talented educators have had unique life experiences they are willing to share with their students. One of these was Judith Isaacson, a Holocaust survivor who taught high school math in Lewiston, Maine.

Judith was born on July 3, 1925, in Kaposvar, Hungary. In July, 1944, the 19-year-old was arrested by the Nazis and deported to Auschwitz with other members of her family. There she spent eight months in forced labor in an underground munitions plant located in Hessisch Lichtenau. After she was liberated, she married an American intelligence officer. The couple returned to the United States and settled in his home town of Lewiston, Maine.

An intelligent woman, Judith earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Bates College in 1965 and her Master’s degree in Mathematics from Bowdoin College in 1967. After earning her degrees, she taught math at Lewiston High School. There she chaired the school’s first Department of Mathematics. Later she gained a position as a Dean at her alma mater, Bates College.

In 1990, Judith published her Holocaust memoir entitled Seed of Sara: Memoirs of a Survivor. The volume served as the inspiration for an electronic chamber opera in 1995 and an experimental film in 1998. The book made the teacher a sought-after speaker for schools, youth groups, and community groups throughout Maine.

Throughout her career as an educator, Judith garnered numerous awards and three honorary degrees. In 2004 she was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame. She was also honored with the Deborah Morton Award for Outstanding Women from Westbrook College in 1993. In 1996, she garnered the Gordon S. Hargraves Preservation of Freedom Prize from Bowdoin College, the Maryann Hartman Award for Distinguished Maine Women from the University of Southern Maine, and the Remember Me Award from the Maine Healthcare Association. In 2003, she was recognized as one of the Women of Distinction by the Kennebec Council of the Girl Scouts.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away on November 10, 2015. She was 90 years old.