CA teacher Melissa Rojas earns a Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award

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California teacher Melissa Rojas is one of 20 educators nationwide who has earned a 2020 Staples “Thank a Teacher Award.” (Photo Credit: Fontana Herald News)

Congratulations go to Melissa Rojas, an English teacher at Fontana High School in Fontana, California. She is one of 20 educators that have been named a recipient of a 2020 Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award.

Melissa was singled out for the recognition because of her outstanding work with graduating seniors in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. She wanted to do something special for her students, who lost out on the two most memorable experiences of the their senior year: Prom and commencement. “Senior year is a crucial time for students,” Melissa asserted. “It broke my heart that my seniors couldn’t attend prom. I wanted to do what i could to let them know they are amazing kids who deserve to have great memories of their senior year,” she continued.

For their prom, Melissa contacted a local candy maker who prepared gifts of chocolate-dipped strawberries, some created to resemble a prom dress and others created to imitate a tuxedo. Then she spent the day with members of her family delivering the treats to the homes of her students. For their commencement, Melissa delivered gift bags containing personalized water bottles and inscribed with inspirational messages.

As part of the recognition from the Staples “Thank a Teacher” Program, Melissa will receive $5,000 to spend on supplies for her classroom. The office supplies store is happy to provide the cash awards to the recipients. “Staples knows that teachers will need our support more than ever — whether they’re teaching in the classroom, remotely or a combination of both,” remarked Mike Motz, Chief Executive Officer of Staples US Retail.

For more information about this Chalkboard Champion, see this link at the Daily Bulletin.

E. Alice Taylor: Educator, social reformer, and community organizer

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Educator, social reformer, and community organizer E. Alice Taylor of Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo credit: African Americans in Boston)

I truly believe that teachers are among the most dedicated social reformers in any community. One such teacher is E. Alice Taylor, an educator and community organizer from Boston, Massachusetts.

Alice was born in 1892 in Alexander, Arkansas. She was a graduate of Arkansas Baptist College, earning her degree in 1913. At some point, she established her home in Boston.

In 1927, Alice founded a branch of Annie Malone’s Poro Beauty School and Beauty Shoppe in Boston. She managed the vocational school for 15 years, until the outbreak of World War II forced its closure. By then, the facility had grown to employ 15 teachers and to serve 150 students each year, and it had become one of New England’s largest minority-owned businesses.

In addition to her work as an educator, Alice founded and served as the president of the Professional Hairdressers Association of Massachusetts. She also served as an officer and a board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 50 years. She was a member of numerous community service organizations, including the League of Women for Community Service, the Charitable Health Association of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Union of Women’s Clubs, and the Massachusetts Human Relations Committee.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away from natural causes on January 1, 1986, in Boston. She was 94 years old. To read more about E. Alice Taylor, see this link to African Americans in Boston.

 

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.