Biden reminds the nation of the importance of our educators

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Joe Biden with the future First Lady and educator, Dr. Jill Biden, on Nov. 7, 2020, when the President-Elect reminded the nation of the importance of teachers.

As our country struggles to process the results of the November 3 election, both politically and emotionally, it appears that the Joe Biden has been elected to our nation’s highest office. On November 7, he delivered remarks to his supporters, and to the nation, in his home town of Wilmington, Delaware, for the first time as President-Elect. In his speech, Biden recognized the importance of his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, to his life and to his campaign, and gave teachers throughout the country a reason to celebrate.

“I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family. They are my heart. Jill’s a mom — a military mom — and an educator,” Biden declared. “She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn’t just what she does — it’s who she is,” he continued. “For America’s educators, this is a great day: You’re going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady,” he asserted.

Dr. Biden earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware in 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, Dr. Biden 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, she 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, Dr. Biden 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.

This indefatigable educator has declared she will continue to teach, even as she serves as First Lady. I don’t think anyone expects this of her, but those of us who are teachers understand. Once a teacher, always a teacher.

To read the full text of Biden’s remarks, click on this link: Biden Speech.

Gift Chalkboard books to a special educator this season

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Season’s Greetings!

I’m sure you know at least one dedicated educator that has been working tirelessly during the current pandemic to provide the best education possible under the circumstances for your child or children. As a gift during the upcoming holiday season, consider gifting that teacher with a copy of an inspirational book. What a wonderful way to thank them for all their hard work. Or, if the teacher we are speaking of is you, you could indulge yourself and stock up on something inspirational to read during your much-needed Winter Break.

I have two splendid titles to suggest:  Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students (available here) and Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor (available here). Each one available in print or in e-book formats and is reasonably priced.

Enjoy!

Texas Special Ed teacher Carmen Canales succumbs to Covid-19

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Texas Special Education teacher Carmen Canales succumbed to Covid-19 on July 21, 2020. Photo credit: Legacy.com

Sadly, we must report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Carmen Canales, an elementary teacher in San Antonio, Texas, succumbed to the disease on July 21, 2020. She was 48 years old.

The beloved teacher worked in Special Education Inclusion and Resource Intervention at Ira C. Ogden Academy in the San Antonio Independent School District since 2017.

“The loss of Carmen is one that will be felt forever at our school. She was an integral part of our Ogden Lion family,” remarked Nicanora Martinez, Principal of Ogden Academy. “Each day, she gave her best to our students. Her legacy will live on as we remember her as a Lioness who was willing to go above and beyond for the academic, social, and emotional needs of her students,” Martinez continued.

Co-worker Elissa Gonzalez expressed similar sentiments. “I worked with Ms. Canales and observed how dedicated and strong she was,” remembered Elissa. “She was relentless and always put forth her best. I admired her balance of toughness with kindness,” she said. Her friend Yvonne Munoz agreed. “Carmen was such a passionate person and educator who wasn’t afraid to say anything that was on her mind. I admired that about her. I’m glad to have known her. She’ll truly be missed,” she said.

As a young girl, Carmen attended McAllen High School in the town of McAllen,Texas. She graduated in 1991. In 1996, she was certificated as a licensed vocational nurse at Coastal Bend College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University at Kingsville in 2002.

To read more about this beloved educator, click on this link to her obituary: Carmen Canales.

Recognizing Georgia teacher and US veteran Shane Larkin

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While recognizing our nation’s veterans, here is Shane Larkin, US Army vet and high school social studies teacher from Columbus, Georgia. Photo credit: Ledger-Enquirer

Our nation is indeed fortunate that many individuals who serve our students in the classroom have also served in the US military. One of these is Shane Larkin, a high school social studies teacher in Columbus, Georgia.

Before he became an educator, Shane served ten years as a staff sergeant in the US Army. While in the military, he participated in firefights with combat units deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq.

It was while he was stationed in Kosovo that Shane accepted his first position as a teacher. There he taught the English language to Serbian students. “I loved almost everything about being an infantry squad leader,” he once told the local newspaper, the Ledger-Enquirer, “but I felt completely comfortable and inspired while teaching those students for several hours a week,” he said. “It was truly rewarding for me to be part of making a safe zone for those kids who were not safe to even go into neighboring towns,” he continued. “It was at that point I realized the true meaning and power of education.”

Currently, Shane teaches history and world studies at Early College Academy in Columbus, Georgia. The school partners with Columbus State University to expose students to resources, rigor, and the intensity of college-level academics.

For his work in the classroom, Shane has earned many accolades. In 2017, he was named the Muscogee County Schools Teacher of the Year. In 2018, the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) selected him their Teacher of the Year. To read more about him, see this article published in Education Week Teacher.