Middle school educator Anne Martin selected one of three VFW Teachers of the Year

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Middle school educator Anne Martin named one of three 2019 Teachers of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, also known as the VFW, named three stellar educators as their Teachers of the Year for 2018-2019. One of these is Anne Martin, a middle school teacher at Williams Middle School located in Tracy, California. Anne earned the distinction because of her dedication towards honoring America’s veterans.

Anne teaches seventh grade Language Arts and Social Studies. In a career that has spanned 24 years, this remarkable educator has used her experience as a Gold Star family member to help her students better understand the sacrifices made by America’s military. Anne’s work includes organizing school-wide campaigns to collect donations and thank you letters for deployed troops. She also coordinates the school’s annual Patriot Day celebration, which includes a patriotic door-decorating contest. In addition, the honored teacher oversees the school’s Associated Student Body elections, helping students to understand and navigate the democratic process.

Anne revealed that she began organizing military-related events and activities after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It was at that time that she encouraged her students to contribute to a “chain of thanks” to send to American soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The chains have been used at the local VFW Post during a Veterans Day celebration. Anne says activities like this give students opportunities to appreciate the sacrifices of others. “The fact that they’re here going to school is really a privilege because of the [men and women who served our country],” Anne declares.

“Students who are lucky enough to have teachers like Anne develop a deep sense of patriotism and understand the values and freedoms upon which our nation was founded,” expressed VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. “The VFW is honored to recognize the vital role America’s educators play in nurturing and encouraging the civic-minded leaders of tomorrow,” he continued.

Each year, the VFW names one elementary, one intermediate, and one high school teacher for their National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Bobbie Schamens, a fourth grade teacher at Meadowview Intermediate School in Sparta, Wisconsin, was named the elementary school winner. Kevin Wagner, an Advanced Placement History teacher at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was chosen to represent the high school level.

To learn more about these amazing educators, view the article at VFW.

Teacher Bobbie Schamens named a Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars

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Fourth grade teacher Bobbie Schamens of Sparta, Wisconsin, was named one of three Teachers of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) named three stellar educators as their Teachers of the Year for 2018-2019. One of these is Bobbie Schamens. She is a fourth grade teacher at Meadowview Intermediate School in Sparta, Wisconsin.

Bobbie earned the recognition as the result of her efforts to recognize the service and sacrifice of her home town’s military families. As the spouse of a retired Air Force veteran, Bobbie is in a unique position to understand military families. The honored educator strives to teach her students civic responsibility, patriotism, and flag etiquette. She leads her class in field trips to the state capital to experience history and government first hand. She has created a military tribute case as a tribute to honor military and veteran families. In addition, Bobbie organizes cards and care packages to be mailed to military personnel serving overseas.

This amazing educator has been teaching for 16 years, the last six at Meadowview. She topped 54 other teachers nationwide to earn the national distinction of VFW Smart-Maher Citizen Education Elementary Teacher of the Year. “It’s a very humbling experience,” declared Bobbie. “It’s taking the opportunities that you’re presented every day and using those to teach children about kindness, respect, our veterans, and what they do,” she said.

Each year, the VFW names one elementary, one intermediate, and one high school teacher for their National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Kevin Wagner, an Advanced Placement History teacher at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, garnered the high school honors. Anne Martin was named the middle school honoree. Anne is a seventh grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Williams Middle School in Tracy, California.

To read more about this years VFW Teachers of the Year, click on this link: VFW.

AP History teacher Kevin Wagner honored by VFW

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Shown above is Advanced Placement History teacher Kevin Wagner of Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Kevin garnered a Teacher of the Year award given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He earned the honor for his unwavering dedication towards honoring America’s veterans.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, also known as the VFW, named three stellar educators as their Teachers of the Year for 2018-2019. One of these is Kevin Wagner, an Advanced Placement History teacher at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Kevin earned the distinction because of his unwavering dedication towards honoring the memory of American veterans.

With colleagues, Kevin developed a research project for his students called “Silent Heroes.” To complete this project, the students must research the life and service of a local World War II veteran who perished in the Normandy Invasion. The invasion occurred on the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944. The battle turned the tide of the war in Europe. Once the students complete their research, they create a web page that preserves the veteran’s legacy.

Last year, Kevin expanded his project to identify local Viet Nam War veterans. As a result, his students constructed a Viet Nam Wall of Honor where they display names of more than 213 veterans. The veterans Kevin’s students honor were former students of their school.

Each year, the VFW names one elementary, one intermediate, and one high school teacher for their National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Bobbie Schamens, a fourth grade teacher at Meadowview Intermediate School in Sparta, Wisconsin, was named the elementary school winner. Anne Martin was named the middle school honoree. Anne is a seventh grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Williams Middle School in Tracy, California.

To view some of the projects created by Kevin’s students and other students, click on this link: National History Day Silent Heroes.