El Paso’s Zelene Blancas, internet sensation, succumbs to Covid-19

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Sadly, Zelene Blancas, a first grade teacher from El Paso, Texas, who became an internet sensation for her video of students showing kindness to one another, has succumbed to Covid-19.

Perhaps you remember Zelene Blancas, the teacher from El Paso, Texas, whose video of students giving each other hugs, fist bumps, and high fives became an internet sensation in 2018. Sadly, this beloved teacher succumbed to Covid-19 on December 28, 2020. She was 35 years old.

Zelene taught first grade dual language at Dr. Sue A. Shoot Elementary in the Socorro Independent School District. She’d taught at the school for four years. One day, the educator made a video of her students showing kindness towards each other. Since its original posting, the  video has garnered over 22 million views. The Chalkboard Champion explained that she encouraged her students to show kindness toward each other because wanted her students to feel like they “have a safe place to come back to and learn in a safe environment.”

By all accounts, she will be sorely missed. “She always made an effort to share kindness, whether it was with a message or a note or just reaching out to her colleagues,” remembered Principal Cristina Sanchez-Chavira. “Just a very, very loving person.” Friend and colleague Nick Adkins agreed. “The ripple effect of love and kindness that she put out into the universe through teaching her kids through the years is immeasurable,” he recalled. “Ms. Blancas and the entire staff and students at Shook are what we should all strive for each and every day, each and every now. She lives on in the love that she taught and spread. I am grateful for her. We all are,” Adkins continued.

To learn more about Zelene blancas, see this article published online by KTSM.com.

Oklahoma’s Donna Gradel inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

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Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. (Photo credit: Donna Gradel)

Congratulations to Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF). The group will be officially inducted on June 18, 2021, at a ceremony in Emporia, Kansas.

Donna taught Environmental Science at Broken Arrow High School from 1996 to 2020, a total of 24 years. She left the classroom to accept a position as the Dean of Academic Development and Innovation at Summit Christian Academy, a private school located in Broken Arrow.

The Chalkboard Champion has earned accolades for her hands-on work with students, leading them to develop a sustainable, low-cost, solar-powered, aquaponic system to help feed people living in poverty in Kenya. Many of her students traveled with her to Africa during the past summer to continue working on the classroom project, which also has provided safe, clean water for an entire village, as well as for a nearby elementary school and medical clinic.

“Donna Gradel is committed to unlocking the potential of her students by empowering them to solve real-world problems for the benefit of their global community,” remarked Richard Knoeppel, a 2019 NTHF inductee. “Her students are exposed to environmental issues and challenged to create solutions.  Always asking her students ‘what problem do you want to solve?’ gives them a sense of purpose and has shown them that their teacher has a genuine concern for them and is willing to be their champion,” he continued.

The honored educator was selected the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2018, and she was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year honors in 2019.

To read more about Donna Gradel, see this story published by the Tulsa Beacon.

Music educator Ken Tuttle once performed with notable celebrities

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Ken Tuttle

California music educator Ken Tuttle once performed with notable celebrities. (Photo credit: San Bernardino Sun)

Many excellent music educators have also earned fame as performers. One of these was Ken Tuttle, a choir teacher from California, who also performed with notable celebrities.

Ken was born on July 28, 1952, in Painesville, Ohio. As a youngster, he attended Western High School in Las Vegas. After his high school graduation, Ken earned his undergraduate degree from Chapman University in Orange, California He earned his Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting Performance from the the University of Nevada, Reno.

Ken’s career as a teacher of the performing arts spanned 37 years. He worked at schools in Reno, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and finally settled at Redlands High School in San Bernardino County, California. There he served as the Chair of the Vocal Music Department for 24 years, until his retirement in 2015. In addition to teaching choir, Ken taught piano and music theory classes, and he was involved in many theater productions. Many of his students were Special Education students. Ken escorted his students to prestigious competitions and festivals, where the groups often earned first-place trophies and gold medals

For his work in the classroom, Ken garnered the Outstanding Choral Music Educator of the Year by the California Music Educators Association in 2012. In 2016, he was named a Hero of the Arts by the Redlands Community Music Association. Ken frequently served as an adjudicator or guest clinician for festivals, honor choirs, and all-state choirs throughout the Western United States. He also served a stint as the President of the Southern California Vocal Association.

Not only was Ken an outstanding classroom educator, but he was also a sought-after musician. He served as a soloist with the William Hall Chorale, touring all over Europe. He also sang in a choir that performed back-up vocals for Barry Manilow and Paul Anka.

Ken Tuttle passed away on December 8, 2020, in Highland, California. To read more about him, see this article published in the San Bernardino Sun.

Denver teacher Marie Greenwood, a Civil Rights pioneer

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Denver teacher Marie Greenwood made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in her community.  (Photo credit:: The Denver Post)

Many fine educators have made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in their community. One of these was Marie Greenwood, the first African American to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. She is known for breaking down barriers to racial equality within her city.

Marie was born November 24, 1912, in Los Angeles, California. When she was 13 years old, she moved with her parents to Denver, Colorado. As a youngster, Marie faced the challenges of segregation. She was not allowed to join her middle school’s swim team, and her guidance counselor advised her that her ambition to go to college would be a waste of her parents’ money, because the only work she could expect was as a cook or a housekeeper. Despite these challenges, Marie graduated third in her class at West High School. She also garnered a scholarship to Colorado Teachers College, which is now part of the University of Northern Colorado.

Once she earned her degree in 1935, Marie returned to Denver where she accepted a position as a teacher at Whittier School. She was one of the first African-American school teachers in Denver. She is highly regarded as a pioneer for integration in the city, and for breaking down racial barriers in the school district. in fact, she was the first African American teacher to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. Marie taught at Whittier for ten years, and then left the profession to raise her family. In 1955, Marie returned to the profession, accepting a position as the principal of all-White Newton Elementary. Although this Chalkboard Champion retired in 1974, she continued to work with children as a volunteer, right up until right before her passing.

Marie was also a published author. When she was 95 years old, she penned a volume of vignettes about teaching children facing challenges, and three years later she published her autobiography.

Marie Greenwood passed away November 15, 2019. She was 106 years old. To read more about this remarkable educator, see this story about her published by Denver Public Schools.

 

PA’s George M. Wertz: Teacher, politician, and jack of all trades

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Pennsylvania teacher, politician, and jack of all trades George M. Wertz. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania State Senate)

George M. Wertz, a teacher, a politician, and a jack of all trades, is just one example of the many fine instances where skillful educators have also made their mark in the political realm. In addition to his career as an educator, George also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the US House of Representatives.

George was born July 19, 1856, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Hoffman) Wertz, and was born one of seven children on the family farm homestead. As a youngster, he attended public schools, including Ebensburg Academy, and the National Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. In later years, National Normal School merged with Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.

After his graduation from college, George found employment as a teacher, working in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, from 1876 to 1884. He continued his service as an educator working as a school director from 1886 to 1894.

George began his career in politics when he was elected Cambria County Commissioner, a position he held from 1893 to 1896. He went on to serve as sheriff of Cambria County from 1897 to 1901. In 1909, the former teacher was elected on the Republican ticket to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he served until 1913. Once he left the state senate, George organized and managed the Johnstown Daily Leader, where he worked from 1911 to 1917. Between 1923 and 1925, George served in the 68th United States House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania’s 20th District. After he left Congress, George worked as a real estate agent.

This talented educator and politician passed away at the age of 72 on November 19, 1928. He is buried in Grand View Cemetery in Johnstown. The family farm where he was born has been named a state forest. To read more about George M. Wertz, see this link to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.