Innovative solution for declining enrollment used in South Korean village
Here’s a fascinating story I came across while scrolling on Facebook, and I thought I’d share it with you. The story describes an innovative approach used by elementary school officials in a South Korean village when they were faced with the problem of declining enrollment.
Daegu Elementary School, a rural school in South Korea, was struggling with a significant decline in student enrollment because of a falling birth rate. To respond to this problem, school officials have created an innovative solution. They have enrolled elderly grandmothers who had always dreamed of learning to read and write but never had the opportunity into their first grade classroom. The unique strategy has revitalized the school while at the same time offering the opportunity of a lifetime to the lives of these elderly women.
One of the grandmothers is Hwang Wol-geum, who is 70 years old. She now rides the school bus every day—not only to accompany her grandchildren to school, but also as a first-grade student herself. When she was a child, Mrs. Hwang was not able to attend school because she needed at home to help out with household chores. All her life, Mrs. Hwang longed to learn how to read and write. Now, as one of eight women between the ages of 56 and 80, she is attending classes with first grade children. There the grandmothers learn the Korean alphabet (Hangul), practice their writing skills, and participate in group activities such as dancing during recess.
This innovative program not only helps the school stay open, but it also empowers elderly women by teaching them literacy skills, boosting their confidence, and giving them a new sense of purpose in their later years. I’m sure the cross-generational exposure is great for the kids, too!
Source: Unknown Facts, a Facebook page dedicated to educational and knowledgeable topics on the internet.
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Inspiration from educator James Vint…
Author Terry Lee Marzell presents her books at 2025 CalRTA convention
Author Terry Lee Marzell was invited to present her two books about remarkable teachers at the 2025 Annual Delegate Assembly and Convention for the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA). Photo credit: Hal Marzell
Author Terry Lee Marzell was invited to present her two books about remarkable teachers at the 2025 Annual Delegate Assembly and Convention held by the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) in Los Angeles on May 14—16. She was part of a panel of three authors who spoke about their books, their inspiration for writing, and their experiences with the writing process.
In addition to her presentation, Terry represented CalRTA Division 80, which serves retired teachers in the cities of Corona, Norco, and Eastvale in Southern California. She currently fills the role of President of that Division, and editor of their monthly newsletter, and was also selected to serve as a delegate for the division at the convention.
CalRTA is a statewide organization in California that advocates for the protection of retirement benefits for retired teachers, supports active teachers and public education through classroom teacher grants, and assists future teachers with scholarships.
One of the other two authors were fellow CalRTA member and retired teacher Antonio Duarte, who spoke about the two volumes of poems that he has published. His books are Vida! Life’s Moments and Memories and Pensamientos: Life’s Emotions and Dreams. (Both volumes are available on amazon.com at the links provided above.) His poems cover topics such as relationships, family, love, and philosophical topics. Antonio, who prefers to be called “Tony,” was a teacher in Santa Ana, California, for 38 years. As a member of CalRTA, Tony serves as the Director for Area VIII, and also as a member of the IDEA Committee (Involvement, Democracy Engagement, and Awareness).
The third member of the panel was journalist Paul Gullixon, one of two authors of the nonfiction book
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Colorado kindergarten teacher Fatima Stansell crowned in 2025 Ms. Black Colorado pageant
Colorado Springs kindergarten teacher Fatima Stansell has taken the crown in the 2025 Ms. Black Colorado pageant. Photo credit: Colorado Education Association
We know our public school teachers are hardworking, dedicated, and creative professionals. They are royalty in the classroom! But occasionally one of them also earns a genuine title. This is true of Fatima Stansell, a kindergarten teacher from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ms. Black Colorado pageant!
Fatima teaches at John Adams Elementary School, a Title 1 school. As a kindergarten teacher there, Fatima understands the extreme importance of early literacy. Many of her students start school without basic reading skills, she says. In addition, she is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive spaces for her students.
Actively promoting literacy in her community, Fatima hosts literacy hours at local libraries, works on book drives, and creates videos to teach parents how to help their children read. “Reading truly is fundamental, and I am committed to making a lasting impact,” she declares.
Fatima became inspired to go into the teaching profession while working with young children in her family’s daycare business. She continued to work with youngsters through local parks and recreation programs. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2024, graduating magna cum laude. She has credentials in Special Education (SPED) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLD).
The neophyte teacher decided to enter the beauty pageant because she wanted to be an inspiration to her daughters and to show the importance of women of color in leadership roles. The Ms. Black Colorado Springs competition was her first pageant. For her platform, Fatima chose Bridging the Literacy Gap. She was crowned in June 2024, and then went on to earn the state title in October. The competition included formal wear, interviews, fitness rounds, and a social impact presentation.
