Nominate a Chalkboard Champion for this blog

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There are so many talented educators out there that, by myself, I cannot possibly find out about them all. How about some help?

Do you know a remarkable teacher?Someone everyone looks up to: students, parents, and administrators alike? Someone who serves as a model for the profession? A true Chalkboard Champion? This teacher could be someone who is already retired, or even someone from history that you admire.

You can nominate that educator to be the subject of a blog post on this web site. Simply use the contact form at right to send me the name and email information, if you have it, for the teacher you would like to nominate. I’ll do the rest!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Ohio’s Megan Rodgers earns VFW National Citizenship Award

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Congratulations to Megan Rodgers, an elementary teacher from Brookfield, Ohio, who has garnered a VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for 2020.

I always enjoy sharing stories about accomplished educators who have been honored for their work in the classroom. One of these is Megan Rodgers, an elementary teacher from Ohio who has garnered a VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Megan teaches fourth-grade at Brookfield Elementary School in Brookfield, Ohio. She  has been selected for a 2020 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award at the elementary level. Megan was sponsored by VFW Post 7538 in Struthers, Ohio. She was chosen for her creative qualities, outstanding character, and frequent efforts to organize field trips, activities, and services to help her students learn about and recognize America’s veterans and their military service.

Megan’s family has a history of service to our nation, and this has helped her teach students patriotism, civic responsibility, and patriotism. From coordinating a school-wide wall of honor to spotlight veterans and writing cards for veterans and deployed service members, to organizing school trips to Washington, DC, and the 9/11 memorial in Austintown, Ohio, Megan’s passion and initiative are present daily in her classroom and throughout the school.

Each year, the VFW recognizes one national winner at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each honoree receives a $1,000 prize for professional development, and an additional $1,000 for their school. Each recipient also receives a pair of commemorative plaques, one for their school and one to keep.

To read more about Megan, see this story printed in News on the Green.

 

NM Special Ed teacher Leo Lugo succumbs to Covid-19

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With sadness, we report that New Mexico Special Education teacher Leo Lugo succumbed to  Covid-19 on  Oct. 6, 2020. Photo credit: El Paso Times.

With great sadness we announce that yet another educator has succumbed to Covid-19. Leo Lugo, a Special Education teacher in New Mexico, passed away on Oct. 6, 2020. He was 56 years old.

Leo worked at Chaparral High School in the Gadsden Independent School District. Chaparral is a small, unincorporated community near the Texas city of El Paso. The military installations of Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range are nearby.

Although his career as an educator spanned only one year, he made a positive impact on his students. Victoria Lopez, Principal of Chaparral High, recalled that he was a very kind and caring individual who truly wanted the best for his students.

Friend Jacqueline Bravo agreed. “He would always say, ‘echele ganas,’ which means keep going. He would always be like, ‘echele ganas’ Jackie, like you can, you can do it, like we’re almost done and stuff like that,” she remembered. ” think he would want to be remembered as someone–like a good representative of El Paso, and not only that, but a very strong motivating and uplifting man,” she continued.

Before his career as an educator, Leo worked for several Spanish language radio stations, including Estrella 103.1-FM. His career as a radio personality lasted for more than 20 years.

To read more about Leo Lugo, click on this link to his story published by the El Paso Times.

 

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks about great teachers…

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama reflects on the importance of great teachers.

“We all remember the impact a special teacher had on us—a teacher who refused to let us fall through the cracks: who pushed us and believed in us when we doubted ourselves; who sparked in us a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning. Decades later, we remember the way they made us feel and the things they inspired us to do—how they challenged us and changed our lives. So it’s not surprising that studies show us that the single most important factor affecting students’ achievement is the caliber of teachers,” expressed former First Lady Michelle Obama.

“When we think about the outstanding qualities that make an outstanding teacher—boundless energy and endless patience; vision and a sense of purpose; the creativity to help us see the world in a different way; commitment to helping us discover and fulfill our potential—we realize: These are also the qualities of a great leader,” she said.