When remembering veterans, think of Colorado science teacher Daniel Ganoza

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On Memorial Day, we salute Colorado science teacher and US veteran Daniel Ganoza.

There are many excellent examples of Americans who have served in the military, and then have gone on to stellar careers as educations. One of these is Daniel Ganoza. He spent years in the US Air Force before he became a science teacher at Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, a suburb located west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The former soldier teaches courses in environmental science, biology, and global science. He also coaches basketball there.

Daniel says the military mindset is very useful in the classroom. “In the Air Force everyone is valuable to the mission,” he observes. “You have no choice in training them the best you can. The mission depends on it, and your reputation as a leader depends on your folks knowing their job,” he continues. Daniel should know.  As a retired lieutenant colonel, he spent 22 years in the Air Force, with 13 deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Haiti.

The dedicated educator graduated from the Air Force Academy. When he concluded his military service, Daniel found his way into the classroom through a government program entitled Troops to Teachers. The program prepares military veterans for teaching careers.

“Kids just want someone to think they are important and care for them,” asserts Daniel. “Sometimes, all it takes is for just one person to believe in you and you can do anything — you can do the impossible. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been that one person for any of my students, but I strive to be,” he concludes.

For his efforts in the classroom, Daniel earned the 2018 Secondary Excellence in Teaching Award from the Colorado Association of Science Teachers. The award recognizes excellence in teaching in preschool through college classrooms throughout the state.

Thank you for your service in the military, and for your service in the classroom, Daniel!

If you would like to read an interview with Daniel, click on this link from Chalkbeat.

Troops to Teachers program helps veterans transition to a new career in the classroom

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As we celebrate our nation’s veterans this weekend I would like to share with everyone a terrific government program called Troops to Teachers. The program is designed to assist soldiers in their transition from service in the military to service in the classroom. To date, the program has helped over 21,000 veterans become teachers. Isn’t that marvelous? View the video below where one such veteran, Heatheranne Bozeman of Florida, describes how becoming a teacher after retiring from military service has changed her life:

Honoring Henry Alvin Cameron, American WWI Veteran

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During this weekend’s Memorial Day observances, I am reminded that many our our nation’s educators are also veterans. One of my favorite Chalkboard Heroes is Henry Alvin Cameron, a high school science teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. He was not only a leader in the African American community in the early days of the 20th century, but he was also a veteran of World War I. Below is a digital story I created to tell you more about this heroic historical figure.

World Languages teacher Jose Sologuren of Texas earns Excellent Educator Award

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World Languages teacher Jose Sologuren of Dallas, Texas, earns Excellent Educator Award.

I love to share stories about wonderful educators who have earned recognition for their dedication and hard work. One of these educators is Jose Sologuren, a World Languages teacher at Skyline High School located in Dallas, Texas. Jose was honored with an Excellent Educator Award on May 19, 2019, by the television station Channel 5 NBCDFW and Southern Methodist University.

Jose earned his degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2006. He has taught in the Dallas Independent School District for 13 years. This remarkable teacher supervises his school’s World Languages Department, which offers nine languages to the students. He was instrumental in adding Korean, Italian, and German language classes to the curriculum, and even helped raise the funding to help pay for those classes. In addition, he has a reputation for putting in countless hours helping students apply for college, scholarships, and opportunities to study abroad.

“All of us are the product of remarkable teachers who poured into us, who have really encouraged us to work hard, to pursue our dreams, and to really reach our full potential,” remarks Dr. K.C. Mmeje, Vice President for Student Affairs at Southern Methodist University. Jose is humble about his award, though. “Give the students the tools that they’re gonna need to have a better future, to improve their lives,” says Jose. “Teaching is not just a job, it’s a calling.”

To learn more about Jose, click on this link:  Channel 5 NBCDFW