Mandi Torrez named New Mexico’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

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Mandi Torrez, an elementary teacher from Placitas, New Mexico, was named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I enjoy sharing stories about educators that have been honored for their work with students. One of these is Mandi Torrez, a third grade teacher at Placitas Elementary in the Bernalillo School District in Placitas, New Mexico. She has been named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Mandi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also attended Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Master’s degree in Integrated Elementary Education and Special Education. Before she became an educator, Mandi worked as a journalist for eight years. Her career as a teacher has spanned ten years.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Mandi has worked tirelessly to highlight cultural awareness at Placitas Elementary by organizing annual celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and National Black History Month.

This work is so important to the educational development of her students, Mandi believes. “I’ve promoted, in education speak, CLRI, which means Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Instruction,” Mandi remarked. “It’s using kids’ culture in the classroom. For example, many children are uncomfortable raising a hand or shouting an answer,” she explained. “Maybe they need to talk out a problem because they come from a more communal culture, so I might break students into groups and allow them all the chance to discuss. It helps them open up like they might at home,” she continued.

Additionallly, Mandi is a member of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics and the National Education Association. She has served on the Placitas Elementary Leadership Team since 2017. In addition to her recognition as 2019 State Teacher of the Year, she was nominated for the Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.

To learn more about this amazing chalkboard champion, read this article published by Parents.com.

Covid-19 claims Kentucky school counselor Pamela Harris

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Beloved school counselor Pamela Harris of Fort Knox, Kentucky, passed away from Covid-19 on Sept. 15, 2020. (Photo credit: Facebook)

Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Pamela Harris, a school counselor from Fort Knox, Kentucky, passed away from the disease on Sept. 15, 2020. She was 60 years old.

Pamela was a veteran of the United States Army. She had been employed as an teacher and school counselor by the US Department of Defense for several years. She worked at Fort Knox Middle/High School, which is located on the military base about 40 miles southwest of Louisville in Hardin County. Approximately 600 students from the seventh through twelfth grades are enrolled at the school. Pamela served students in grades nine and ten.

“Her kindness, energy, and love for her job, was seen daily as she greeted students, and co-workers, with a smile and an encouraging word,” remembered spokespersons in a Facebook post. “The joy she possessed in her heart spilled over on to everyone in the building and in the surrounding community,” the spokespersons continued in the post. “Ms. Harris was an amazing example of an Energetic, Dedicated, Educator and she always Exhibited Eagle Pride. We send our deepest condolences to all of her family, friends, and loved ones. Ms. Harris leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten,” the post concluded.

Fort Knox MIddle/High School Principal Lonnie R. Gilmore, Jr., agreed.  “Mrs. Harris dedicated many years to the Fort Knox Community in service as an Army veteran, teacher, and school counselor. She was also a beloved staff member who was known for lifting up others with her smile, encouraging words and jokes,” Gilmore expressed in an email.

To read more about the passing of this beloved educator, see this article published in the Courier Journal.

AZ educator Jill Jones earns Amazon Future Engineers Teacher of the Year Honor

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Computer Science educator Jill Jones from Phoenix, Arizona, has been named one of ten Amazon Future Engineer Teachers of the Year.

Congratulations are in order for computer science educator Jill Jones of Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been recognized by Amazon as one of their Future Engineer Teachers of the Year. Jill was one of just ten educators from around the country who has earned the honor.

The honored educator will receive a total of $50,000 in technology equipment for her classroom and her school. This is the first year Amazon has distributed the awards. Jill was recognized by the technology giant for her dedication towards helping students in under-served and under-represented communities build real-world skills in computer science.

Carl Hayden High School is a public inner city school that faces many typical inner city school challenges. The student population is 97% Hispanic, and 98% of the students qualify for the federally assisted school lunch program. Many of the students are first generation immigrants, and most are the first in their family to graduate from high school. In selecting the ten recipients for the award, Amazon took into consideration the teacher’s commitment towards promoting diversity and inclusion within computer science education.

“Computer science skills will be of vital importance as we take on and solve the challenges of the future,” declared Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer.  “We are thrilled to honor these teachers,”  he continued.

“I am beyond humbled and honored to receive this award,” expressed Jill. “I hope to use it (the prize) to promote the message that computer science is for everyone,” she continued. “This award brings honor and recognition to our school and to all the hard-working and dedicated students we serve.”

Jill is a graduate of Arizona State University. Her career as an educator has spanned 30 years. To read more about this amazing educator, click on this link to Patch.com.

Charles D. Hayne: Teacher and South Carolina State Senator

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South Carolina teacher and politician Charles D. Hayne. Portrait painted by Janice Livingston of the Heritage Council of North Augusta.

Many classroom teachers have earned recognition in professions outside of the field of education. One of these was Charles D. Hayne, an educator who worked for the Freedman’s Bureau who also earned fame as a South Carolina State Senator.

Charles was born “a free person of color” in 1844 in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was white, and his mother was a free Black. Charles was the nephew of South Carolina politician Robert Y. Hayne. As a young man, Charles worked as a tailor in his native city of Charleston.

During the Civil War, Charles served in the Confederate Army and assisted in the defense of the city of Charleston. After the war was won by the North, the former tailor became the postmaster for the town of Aiken in Aiken County. He held that position from 1868 until 1880. Later, Charles gained employment as a teacher at the Freedmen’s Bureau. He was assigned to teach at a school in Barnwell County, South Carolina.

In 1868, Charles was elected as a delegate to the South Carolina Constitutional Convention. The same year, he was elected to his state’s House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He was re-elected to the House in 1870. While in office, Charles also served on the Board of Directors for several corporations, including the railroad. Two years later, the former teacher was elected to the South Carolina State Senate, where he served for four years.

Charles D. Hayne passed away in 1913. He was 69 years old. To learn more about this educator and politician, see this link at Palmetto Bella Magazine.