Ralph G. Brooks: Educator and former Governor of Nebraska
Stellar educator and former Governor of Nebraska, Ralph G. Brooks
There are many stellar educators who have earned acclaim in the political arena. One of these is Ralph G. Brooks, a high school teacher from Nebraska who eventually became his state’s governor.
Ralph Brooks was born in Eustis, Frontier County, Nebraska, on July 8, 1898. His father was a farmer and store owner. As a child, Ralph’s family moved often. They lived in the towns of Kearney, Elm Creek, and Sargent. Early on, Ralph discovered that he had a passion for learning. His favorite quote, and the one he said shaped his life, was from Abraham Lincoln, “I will study and get ready, and my chance will come!”
Ralph graduated from Sargent High School in 1916. He immediately launched into his career as an educator, teaching for four years in high schools in Cherry and Custer County. Then, to better his skills, he enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1920. There he excelled at debate, winning the National Oratorical Peace Contest in 1923. During those years Ralph also served as a member of the College Council and the Assistant Editor of the college paper. He also worked as the Associate Editor of the magazine of the State Highway Department.
Following his graduation in 1925, Ralph attended the University of Nebraska College of Law. In 1930, he was admitted to the Nebraska Bar Association, although he never practiced the profession. Later, while teaching in Hartington, Nebraska, Ralph completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in School Administration at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He then worked at several high schools in Nebraska and Iowa. In 1946, Ralph relocated to McCook, Nebraska, where he became the Superintendent of Schools and then the President of McCook Junior College.
Ralph became interested in political office in 1942. That year he ran for Congress to represent Nebraska’s 1st District. He won the nomination, but lost the election to his Republican opponent, Carl Curtis. Just 16 years later, however, the McCook educator was elected the 29th governor of Nebraska. While in office, Ralph championed an interstate highway construction program, supported a comprehensive traffic safety program, and promoted the state’s industrial growth. While still in office, this Chalkboard Champion passed away on Sept. 9, 1960. He was 62 years old. He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lancaster County, Nebraska.
To read more about this amazing educator and politician, click on this link to the McCook Gazette.
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Spanish language teacher Ellen Holmes earns honors
I love to share stories about talented classroom teachers who are honored for their dedication and hard work. One of these is Ellen Holmes, a Spanish language teacher at Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina. She has been named a finalist for 2019-2020 Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Ellen’s career as an educator has spanned seven years so far. She left a career in hospitality to go into teaching. “I became a teacher because I really didn’t feel in my previous career that I was giving back or leaving my mark or doing something that I was really passionate about,” revealed Ellen. “I’m really passionate about working with youth and just sharing my love for the language and culture of Spanish,” she continued. “Honestly, my students are why I teach,” she concluded.
Ellen’s principal, Tonya Williams, cannot heap enough praise on the world language educator. “Ms. Holmes serves our parents as the co-leader of our Grupos de Padres Latinos, and serves her colleagues as a mentor, advocate, and supporter!” Williams remarked. “Ms. Holmes’ passion and expertise is needed to influence education policy and programming, not only at the local level, but also at the state level,” she continued.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Ellen devotes much of her energy to the school’s Latino students. She serves as the adviser for Destino Success, a club that supports its members culturally, academically, and within their community. Through her efforts, the graduation rates for these students has increased. She has also encouraged the students’ parents to become more involved in the education of their children.
Ellen earned her Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. After she earned her degree, she spent a semester abroad at Menendez Pelayo International University in Seville, Spain. She earned her teaching credential at North Carolina State University.
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Special Ed teacher Alyssa Bohm, crowned Miss Wisconsin 2019, promotes inclusivity
Special education teacher Alyssa Bohm, crowned Miss Wisconsin 2019, works with high school students to promote inclusivity.
Many fine educators also earn fame in arenas outside of the classroom. One of these is Alyssa Bohm, a high school special education teacher who garnered the title of Miss Wisconsin in the 2019 beauty pageant last July.
Alyssa was raised in Racine, Wisconsin. She graduated from J. I. Case High School in her home town. After her high school graduation, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside, in Kenosha. But because Parkside did not offer a teaching degree, she transferred to the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, the next year. After she earned her college diploma, Alyssa returned to her alma mater to work as a special education teacher.
Throughout her one-year reign as Miss Wisconsin, Alyssa will work to promote her social impact initiative enhancing opportunities for individuals with special needs. Alyssa says her initiative was inspired by her Aunt Cindy, who has an intellectual disability. After Cindy’s parents passed away, she lived with family members, although she now lives in a group home in Milwaukee. “There just weren’t enough resources for her,” Alyssa remarked. “And I wanted to be part of something that was really going to provide opportunity.”
The young teacher has already put a lot of work into providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. During her freshman year at University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, she served at Case High as the co-adviser for the Sparkle Squad, a cheerleading team for girls with special needs. Currently, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics, Wisconsin. To date, Alyssa has spearheaded many other initiatives to advance inclusivity, including co-creating the Special Olympics College Organization and developing the Special Olympics Football Camp at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. In the coming year, Alyssa hopes to expand the Special Olympics Unified Sports Program, which provides opportunities for those with disabilities and their non-disabled peers to collaborate in the creation of inclusive environments in schools.
Read more about this amazing educator at Special Olympics Wisconsin.
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Art teacher Hirotaka Hamasaki of Japan inspires students through elaborate chalkboard drawings
Art teacher Hirotaka Hamasaki of Nara, Japan, connects to his students through elaborate chalkboard drawings.
Art teachers have an exceptional opportunity to inspire the next generation of creative students. They use all kinds of strategies to connect with their students. One of these is Hirotaka Hamasaki, a fine arts teacher and graphic designer from Nara, Japan. He connects with young people through his elaborate chalkboard drawings, where he recreates a variety of the world’s great masterpieces and a wealth of pop art pieces.
Instead of writing notes or homework assignments for his students, Hirotaka emulates great works of art that feature historically significant imagery. Examples include Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper or Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. Sometimes he recreates contemporary or pop art works, such as Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
In recent years, Hirotaka’s artwork has gone viral. His blackboard masterpieces have gone beyond his classroom, capturing the imaginations of millions of people all over the globe. But what many people don’t know is that he is not the only one who has shared a talent in blackboard art. In fact, there’s an actual blackboard art trend that has been sweeping Japanese schools for nearly a decade now. The trend can be traced back to at least 2012, when Kotaku East published an article about three students who spent a whole week decorating their classroom blackboard with an impressive chalkboard drawing inspired by the popular One Piece anime series. The following year, the internet magazine published another article, this time posting more amazing chalk drawings from the same three students. They also featured other creations from various schools around Japan.
See more of this amazing educator’s work on Instagram at Hirotaka Hamasaki.
