Suggested reading: Beyond the Blackboard, the story of teacher Stacey Bess

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If you’re looking for some suggestions for summer reading, I’d like to recommend you read the book Beyond the Blackboard. This slender volume is the inspirational story of teacher Stacey Bess of Salt Lake City, Utah.

As a first-year teacher, Stacey landed in a classroom set up in a storage shed in a local homeless shelter. The facility was literally referred to as the School With No Name. As you can imagine, her students wrestled with a variety of issues, including unstable living arrangements, domestic abuse, poverty, a transient lifestyle, and parents who abused alcohol and drug. Not the most desirable circumstances for learning. But this remarkable teacher created a safe and loving classroom environment for her kids—on a shoestring, no less. She went to battle with the local school board for a more suitable teaching space and better resources. And, oh, yeah, she raised her own family and defeated cancer at the same time.

You can read the story of the dynamic Stacey Bess in Beyond the Blackboard, available through amazon.com.

Connecticut’s David Bosso just inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame

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David Bosso, a high school social studies teacher from Berlin, Connecticut, was recently inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

It’s always gratifying when an outstanding educator receives national recognition for their work in the classroom. One such educator is Dr. David Bosso, a high school social studies teacher from Berlin, Connecticut. He was one of just five educators nationwide who were inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame last month.

David earned his Bachelor’s degree at Eastern Connecticut State University in 1997 and his Master’s degree at the University of Hartford in 2004. He completed the requirements for his Ph.D. at the American International College in 2014.

David inaugurated his career as a professional educator in 1997, when he accepted a position as a junior high school history and reading teacher at Holy Cross School. The next year he transferred to his alma mater, Berlin High School, where he still teaches today. In all, his career has spanned 21 years.

“Good teachers are driven by a sense of moral purpose, and they have a keen appreciation for the difference they can make in students’ lives,” asserts David. “They know that many times, it is paying attention to the little things that will pay important relational dividends,” he continues. “And this can mean the world to some students,” he concludes.

For his work in the classroom, David has earned many accolades in addition to this newest honor. In 2012 He was selected the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year, and he was also named the Social Studies Secondary Teacher of the Year by the National Council for the Social Studies. The Lowell Milken Center designated him an Unsung Heroes Fellow in 2014. In 2017 David garnered the Addazio Award by the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies.

To read more about this chalkboard champion, see the article entitled Berlin Teacher to be Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame published online by the Connecticut Education Association.

Emma B. Alrich: The 19th-century teacher who served as a school superintendent

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Emma B. Alrich, the 19th-century teacher who served as a school superintendent.

There are many fine educators in American history who have served as pioneers in their field. One of these is Emma B. Alrich, a 19th-century teacher from Kansas who was the only woman of her time to serve as a superintendent of city schools.

Emma was born on April 4, 1845, in Seaville, Cape May County, New Jersey. She was an avid reader, even at an early age. At only three years old, she was reading the Bible. At the age of five, the enterprising child picked blackberries to earn the money to by an arithmetic book. By the time she was 12, she was writing for her local paper.

Emma earned her teacher’s certificate when she was only 16 years old. She opened a summer school in her home just as the War Between the States erupted. Two years later, to hone her teaching skills, Emma enrolled at the State Normal School in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1862. The institution is now known as The College of New Jersey. She earned her degree in 1864, valedictorian of her class.

In 1886 the young educator married Levi Alrich, a distinguished Civil War veteran who had fought for the North. Right after their marriage, the couple settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she taught school. Two years later, Emma and her husband migrated to Cawker City, Mitchell County, Kansas. While teaching there, the pioneering educator earned additional teaching certificates. She also became the superintendent of the city schools, the only woman in her day to serve in this capacity.While in the post she worked diligently to support teachers’ rights, a local women’s club, and the public library.

In 1883, Emma’s husband bought the local paper, the Free Press. He changed the publication’s name to the Public Record. Emma promptly rolled up her sleeves and worked as a journalist for her husband’s newspaper. At the same time, she served for two years on the Board of Teachers’ Examiners. In addition to this work, Emma was one of 40 local women who organized the National Women’s Relief Corps. She founded the Kansas Women’s Press Association, and she was one of three women who founded the Women’s Hesperian Library Club.

This amazing educator passed away on December 15, 1925, in Cawker City. She is interred in Prairie Grove Cemetery.

To learn more about Emma, click on this link: A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred-Seventy Biographical Sketches.

 

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Bernard Ayotte: Former educator and member of Maine’s House of Reps

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Bernard Ayotte, former educator and member of Maine’s House of Representatives

There are many examples of fine educators who have also served in political office. One of these is Bernard Ayotte, who served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014.

Bernard earned his degree in biology from St. Francis University, a private coeducational university located in Biddeford, Maine. The institution is now known as the University of New England. He also owned a sawmill and served in the United States Army.

After his graduation from college, Bernard became a biology and mathematics teacher. He worked his way up the ranks to become the principal in New Sweden Elementary School in New Sweden, Maine.

In 2006, Bernard was elected to the Maine House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He represented District 3. He was re-elected in 2008, 2010, and 2012. He was unable to serve further due to term limits.

In 2009, Bernard became a member of the National Environmental Leadership Group at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Dr. Cora Martin of Texas: Chalkboard champion and founding member of Delta Kappa Gamma

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Dr. Cora Martin of Texas: Chalkboard champion and founding member of Delta Kappa Gamma

I always enjoy sharing stories about amazing educators, and today I get to tell the stories of one of the best: Cora Martin of Austin, Texas.

Cora was born on November 22, 1884, the youngest of the eight children born to Theodore and Elizabeth Merriman. She was raised in Chico, Texas. Shortly after her graduation from high school there, Cora married Francis Martin. The couple settled on a ranch at Martin’s Prairie, but unfortunately Francis passed away early in their marriage. 

The young widow enrolled at North Texas State Normal School in Denton, Texas, where she graduated in 1909. In 1919, Cora earned her Bachelor’s degree, and in 1922, she completed the requirements for her Master’s degree from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York.

Cora inaugurated her teaching career in Monday, Texas. She also taught in Fort Worth and Paducah, Texas. After earning her Master’s degree, she took a job as the supervisor of Bloomsburg Normal School in Pennsylvania, but in 1923 she returned to her native state of Texas. There she accepted a position to teach in the demonstration school established at North Texas State Teachers College. In 1927 Cora enrolled at the University of Texas to work on her Ph.D, which she earned in 1936. At the same time, she served as the Assistant Professor of elementary Education.

While at the University of Texas, Cora worked with Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, the first woman in Texas elected to statewide office. Dr. Blanton served as Texas State Superintendent of Education from 1920 to 1922. At Dr. Blanton’s urging, Cora became one of the founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), an organization which still endeavors today to promote the professional development of women educators.

Cora Martin suffered from heart disease for several years. In 1964, she collapsed after returning home from the DKG International Convention in San Francisco. She passed away on April 12, 1965. This chalkboard champion is interred in Chico Cemetery in Chico, Texas.

To learn more about this chalkboard champion, visit the Delta Kappa Gamma website at Cora M Martin.