Mildred Watson: The teacher who trained future educators
Sometimes excellent teachers go on to train other educators. One of these was Mildred Watson, a biology teacher who became a supervisor for student teachers. (Photo credit: Los Angeles Times)
Sometimes excellent classroom teaches go on to train other educators. One of these was Mildred Watson, a high school biology teacher who eventually became a supervisor for student teachers.
Mildred Watson was born on May 23, 1932, in Greenwood, Mississippi. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College. She also earned her first Master’s degree from the Ohio State University, her second Master’s from California State University, Fullerton, and her third Master’s from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. In addition, Mildred earned her PhD in Education from Claremont McKenna College.
After earning her degrees, Mildred taught biology and later became a counselor at Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. At various periods of her career as an educator, she also worked at the Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles and Los Alamitos High School. Towards the latter part of her career, Mildred worked as a supervisor for student teachers at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Mildred also participated in many charity organizations. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and 100 Black Women of Orange County.
Mildred passed away on December 22, 2020, in Santa Monica, California. She was 88 years old. To read more about this amazing educator, see her obituary published by the Los Angeles Times.
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Florida teacher and coach Jeff Larson succumbs to Covid-19
Florida science teacher and football coach Jeff Larson passed away from Covid-19 on Dec. 25, 2019. (Photo credit: Milton High School)
It is with great sadness that we report the passing Jeff Larson, a beloved educator and coach from Milton, Florida. Jeff succumbed to Covid-19 on December 25, 2019. He was 60 years old.
Jeff’s career as an educator spanned nearly four decades He taught first in Texas, and then he relocated to Florida, where he spent the last 25 years of his career. He was a science teacher and football coach at Milton High School in the Santa Rosa County School District in Milton, Florida.
Jeff will be sorely missed. “He was probably the most revered science teacher in the department,” remembered Tim Short, Milton High School Principal. “A great teacher, a tremendous football coach, but a better person.” Short continued, “He wasn’t a coach that taught, he was a teacher that coached. His peers could see the impact that he had on kids and on the school and on the community.”
Not only was he an exemplary educator, but Jeff’s prowess as a football coach was also well-known. “Many have wondered just how he took a group of average/undersized offensive linemen and delivered them to the doorstep of a Florida State Championship,” remarked Jeff’s former student Wesley Meiss, who is now the mayor of Milton. “Answer: Technique. His technique turned young boys into the men we are today,” Meiss continued.
In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Jeff sponsored the school’s martial arts club and the debate club. He also coached baseball, softball, and other sports. Jeff was honored as the Teacher of the Year in 2004-2005.
To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this story published by the Pensacola News Journal.
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Wisconsin’s Mandy Wright served in her state’s Assembly
Wisconsin elementary teacher Mandy Wright was also elected to her state’s Assembly.(Photo credit: Ballotpedia)
Many excellent educators also make successful politicians. One of these is Mandy Wright, an elementary school teacher from Wausau, Wisconsin, who has also served in her state’s Assembly.
Mandy was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on June 7, 1977. As a youngster, she attended Riverview Elementary School, and then Wausau East High School, where she earned varsity letters as a cross-country ski captain, the goalie and captain of the girls’ soccer team, and the football kicker.
After her high school graduation, Mandy studied English and Norwegian at St. Olaf College, a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. She earned her Master’s degree from Viterbo University, a private liberal arts college in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During these years, she also did volunteer work with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and as an after-school coordinator at Jefferson Elementary, where she organized many community programs and events.
After college, Mandy taught sixth grade as an English/ELL teacher at Wausau West. She taught there for four years. She has also taught sixth grade and coached soccer at Horace Mann Middle School.
In November, 2012, Mandy was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. She defeated Republican Pat Snyder, a radio show host with a huge following. While in office, she represented the 85th District, serving on the Committees for Education, Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Small Business Development.
Once she left office, Mandy returned to the field of education, accepting a position at Marathon Venture Academy, a public charter school. She also participates in many community service organizations. She is a member of the League of Conservation Voters; the Farmer’s Union; the Wausau Nordic Ski Club; the Friends of Rib Mountain; the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce; Sierra Club; YMCA; and Stoney Acres Community Farm. Also, she is a Safe Schools Ambassador Family Leader.
To learn more about this educator and politician, see the information on this link by Ballotpedia.
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Our new First Lady Jill Biden: She’s also an English Teacher
Our new First lady, Dr. Jill Biden, former high school English teacher, currently teaches at Delaware & Community Technical College. (Photo credit: White House)
With the inauguration of President Joe Biden today, the education community gains an ally in the White House. The ally comes in the form of the new First Lady, Jill Biden. Jill, who was formerly a high school English teacher, has been a professor of English at Community College since 2009. While serving as the Second Lady, Jill continued to teach, and she has declared her intention to continue teaching during her tenure as First Lady.
Jill was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. After she graduated from Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia, in 1969, Jill earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware (1975). She earned two Master’s degrees, one in English from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and one in Education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She completed the requirements for her PhD in Education from the University of Delaware.
After earning her degrees, Jill accepted a position teaching English and reading in high school. She taught for three years at Claymont High School in Delaware, and then at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Delaware (1991-1993). For five years she taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at Rockford Center Psychiatric Hospital.
From 1993 to 2008, Jill taught English and writing at Delaware Technical & Community College. Since 2009, she has worked as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.
When her husband was elected to serve as the Vice President under the Obama Administration, Jill continued to teach full time. She is believed to be the only Second Lady in history to hold down a full-time job while serving as Second lady. Despite her workload in the classroom, Jill still found time for public service. During her husband’s term, which spanned the years from 2009 to 2017, the hardworking educator co-founded the Book Buddies program and the Biden Foundation. She also spearheaded a nonprofit organization to support women’s health and another to support military families.
To read more about Jill Biden, see this article published by The Guardian.
