George Anderson honored as Iowa’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

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George Anderson, a social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been  honored as Iowa’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional classroom teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is George Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has been honored as his state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

George was born in Peoria, Illinois, but was raised just south of Myrtle Beach, in Murrells Inlet/Garden City, South Carolina. He graduated from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach in 1994. After high school, George enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. In Fall, 1994, he completed boot camp in Paris Island, South Carolina.

Once he earned his discharge from the military in 1999, George relocated to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City. There he pursued a degree in history. He also completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Social Science Education in 2006 from the same university.

Once he completed his education, George accepted a position at John F. Kennedy High School, where he still teaches today. “I decided I wanted to go back into the community, and find the students that maybe aren’t in love with high school or the idea of secondary education — or really just [have] no big trajectory in life — and try to help those students out,” he confessed. His career at JFK has spanned 13 years.

Within his district, George has a reputation for creating innovative and dynamic curriculum. “As a teacher, I like active rooms, students moving around and discussing the material with other students,” he expressed. “I like to see students engage with the material of history in a way that isn’t just fact recollection or sequencing events. I want student-centered dynamics in the classroom. I do not want to be the center of attention,” he continued.

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, George has served as a the Co-Department Chair for Social Studies, Head Coach for the freshmen and sophomore football teams, and the Assistant Varsity Coach. He also coached shot put and discus for his school’s track & field team, winning two state championships and numerous state and Drake appearances. George has sponsored the Green Club, Young Republicans, and the Video Game Club. He has also served as a building representative for his local teachers’ union.

Way to go, George! To learn more about him, see his biography at CCSSO.

During pandemic, art teacher Dania Santiago creates remote lessons

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Art teacher Dania Santiago of Henry Zarrow International Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, creates remote lessons in response to pandemic shelter-at-home directives.

The shelter-at-home directives that have been issued in nearly every state have left educators in every subject area scrambling for ways to teach their content online. The transition has been especially difficult for art teachers, whose content is, by nature, a hands-on affair. But these teachers, including Dania Santiago of Tulsa, Oklahoma, are rising splendidly to the challenge.

Dania teaches art at Henry Zarrow International Elementary School. She has shifted her instruction to filmed project tutorials. One week, she recorded step-by-step instructions for how to create an origami sailboat for her younger students. For her older students, she created a tutorial for how to create a dioramic backdrop from s shoe box. She strives to keep each video simple, but stimulating.

Some art lessons are easier to teach remotely than others, Dania conceded. Most families have access to basic supplies such as paper, scissors, crayons,  and markers. Others are nearly impossible. For example, the lack of home access to ceramic materials, for instance, means no pottery or sculpture projects.

“Instead of stressing about what we can’t do, I’m choosing to focus on the things that we can,” Dania expressed. “I can, for now, create these videos and use the supplies I have at home. If I run out of paper, I can either send for more or just won’t use it,” she continued. “All I have to think about is getting through three more weeks (of distance learning). After that, I hope we can begin going back to normal,” she concluded.

To read more about Dania and view her remote lessons, see this link at Tulsa World.

Teacher, coach, principal, and theater sensation James Ellis

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Teacher, coach, principal, and theater sensation James Ellis of Ramona Middle School in La Verne, California.

Throughout our country, there are many dedicated educators who also exhibit talent in arenas outside the classroom. One of these is James Ellis, a junior high school educator who also participates in theatrical productions.

James has been interested in the theater ever since he was a young man. “What got me hooked was getting to put on another persona and living someone’s truth on stage while telling their story,” he asserts. Among his favorite roles are Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Lord Farquad in Shrek, and Gus Growltiger in Cats. He is currently working on his first Shakespeare production.

James was born to parents who were educators. He is the son of a fourth grade teacher and an economics professor. James was raised in Pawnee, a rural town in central Illinois that boasts a population of 2,300. His hometown was so small, there were no theaters, no stoplights, and no fast food joints. His high school had only 170 students, and his graduating class had only 36 students.

Once James graduated from high school, he enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication. He also honed his skills as a gymnast. Later he earned his Master’s degree at the University of La Verne in southern California.

After graduating from college, James relocated to the city of Covina in southern California, where he accepted a position coaching gymnastics. One of his students was a nationally ranked future Olympian. James also worked as a substitute teacher. In time, he was hired as a part-time teacher at San Dimas High School, where he taught mathematics. He impressed his supervisors so much that they offered him a position as ASB Director. During his eight years there, he added teaching drama and coaching cheerleading to his resume.

In 2006, James moved into administration when he accepted a position as an Assistant Principal of Ramona Middle School in La Verne. Four years later he became the principal of Gladstone Elementary in San Dimas, and in 2017 he returned to Ramona to lead the school as its principal. “You have to have a sense of humor to work at a middle school,” James declares. “We work hard and we laugh a lot. What more can someone ask for in a career?”

You can read more about the amazing James Ellis from this article published by La Verne Online.

Coronavirus claims life of Virginia teacher Susan Rokus

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Retired first grade teacher and reading tutor Susan Rokus of Loudoun County, Virginia, succumbs to coronavirus.

The professional community is mourning the loss of yet another educator who has been lost to the coronavirus. Retired teacher and reading tutor Susan Rokus of Loudoun County, Virginia, passed away on March 25, 2020. She was 73 years old.

Susan inaugurated her career as an educator in 1969 when she accepted a position as a first-grade teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). During her career, she served at the old Arcola Elementary School, Little River, Liberty, and Pinebrook elementary schools. She retired in 2014. In retirement, Susan continued to serve her students as a part-time tutor for struggling readers. She tutored at two elementary schools in her district.

Susan was revered by those who knew her. “She is someone who poured her whole self into contributing to our community,” recalled LCPS Superintendent Eric Williams. In fact, just last year, Susan was recognized by Little River Principal Kevin Murphy as one of the core leaders of the school when it first opened 20 years ago.

Parent Rachel Hill shared memories on Facebook of her friendship with the fallen teacher. Hill remembered the days her son was a student in Susan’s class, going on class field trips together, and walking around the running track at a school together. “I will also never forget her spunk and sense of style,” Hill wrote. “That woman loved to dress and always looked stunning. She reminded me of my grandmother with her love for clothes and fashion and shopping.” Susan also had a reputation for her flare for distinctive decor, especially the leopard-print chair, shaped like a stiletto, that she kept for years at the front of her classroom.

“Her heart was so big. I’m not sure she realized how many children she helped,” wrote mourner Lisa Mitchell. Paul Pack, Principal of Liberty Elementary agreed.  “Her legacy in Loudoun is unlike anything I’ve ever seen because it’s generational,” he remarked.

To read about other educators who have succumbed to the coronavirus, see this article at Education Week.