Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

Astral Battiste named 2024 Teacher of the Year for the US Virgin Islands

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Teacher Astral Battiste has been selected the 2024 Teacher of the Year for the US Virgin Islands. Photo credit: The Virgin Islands Consortium

I am always excited to share the news that an outstanding educator has been honored for their work with young people. Today, I share the news that elementary school teacher Astral Battiste has been selected the 2024 Teacher of the Year for the US Virgin Islands.

Astral teaches kindergartners at the Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School in the Saint Croix District in the US Virgin Islands. She instructs students in the subjects of reading, language arts, math, social studies and science.

In addition, Astral leads several committees at her school site, coaches VI History Quiz Bowl, helps plans Hispanic Heritage Month, and organizes the school’s Christmas programs. And as if all that were not enough, she has led the Girl Scouts and participates in after school programs to benefit students.

It seems that Astral was meant to be an educator. As a teenager, she found herself mentoring children at 4H summer camps and volunteering at St. Croix Central High School. But she officially launched her career in education when she accepted a position as an aide at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Her career as an educator spans 20 years.

A background in reading instruction led her to be an advocate for literacy. By implementing a weekly parent class at her school, her platform is to promote literacy in early childhood education. Her goal focuses on empowering parents and students with the tools necessary to increase student reading achievement and success.

The recognition she earned from the US Virgin Islands Department of Education is not the only honor Astral has received. She was named the 2022-2023 Pearl B. Larsen Teacher of the Year, and she was also recognized as the 2022-2023 Saint Croix District Teacher of the Year.

Astral earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Sciences in 2006, and she earned her Master’s degree in Education with a Concentration in Reading Instruction in 2013, both from the University of the Virgin Islands.

Congratulations, Astral!

 

Florida teacher Nicolette Barone named Hillsborough County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

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Florida teacher Nicolette Barone has been named Hillsborough County’s 2024 District Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Nicolette Barone

Sometimes outstanding teachers find their way into the classroom quite by accident. This is true of Nicolette Barone, an elementary school teacher from Florida who has been named the Hillsborough County’s 2024 District Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the Presidents Award for excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Originally, she intended to pursue a career in nursing.

Nicolette teaches mathematics to fifth graders at Oak Park Elementary School in Miami Beach, Florida. HDR career as an educator has spanned none years. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa.

The honored teacher’s route to the classroom was not a direct one. “I wanted to be a nurse. I was going to save lives,” Nicolette confesses. “But after failing anatomy twice, I realized teaching found me. I’ve never looked back since.,” she continues. Obviously, teaching is her calling. “I always tell people, it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it with love. If you bring love into your classroom, into your relationships, and into teaching, you’ll be successful. That’s the key to building connections that last a lifetime,” she declares.

Nicolette earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from the. University of Tampa University in 2016. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, also from the University of Tampa University.

The PAEMST (Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science teachers. The award honors the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, inventors, space explorers, and engineers.

Texas teacher Jasmine Thomas earns recognition

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Here is a teacher you simply must meet: Jasmine Thomas of Houston, Texas. She has been named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Humble Independent School District.

Since 2022, Jasmine has taught fourth grade there at Autumn Elementary School. In addition to teaching, Jasmine is also a part of the Autumn Creek Elementary Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) team. Pouring positivity into the students and staff of Autumn Creek Elementary is part of her daily routine.

Jasmine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Communication Studies from Southwestern University in 2012.

The title of Humble ISD 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year comes with a check for $10,000.

Alice Burke: From teacher to trailblazing politician

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Elementary school teacher Alice Driscoll Burke of Massachusetts was the first woman in New England to serve as a city mayor. Photo credit: The Boston Globe

There are many excellent educators who have established a career in the political sphere, even becoming trailblazers. One of these is Alice Burke, a teacher who also served as the first woman mayor in New England.

Alice Driscoll Burke was born on June 19, 1892, in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. At only four years old, she became an orphan. After her parents passed away, she was raised by her paternal grandparents. As a teenager, she graduated from Northbridge High School, with honors, and in 1911 she earned her teaching degree at Fitchburg Normal School.

Once she completed her education, Alice accepted a teaching position in Hampden County, Massachusetts. She taught sixth grade in schools in the town of Westfield.

In the mid-to-late 1910s, Burke also taught n Westfield’s Americanization program, teaching immigrants about United States history, government, and culture to prepare for their citizenship tests. Ironically, she did this at a point in history when women were denied the right to vote.

Unfortunately, the Westfield School Committee adopted a policy of allowing only women who were single to be employed as teachers in their district, so Alice, who was married, lost her job. That fall, she was elected to a position on the Westfield School Committee.

After teaching for 20 years, Alice was elected mayor of Westfield, the first female to be elected mayor in the state of Massachusetts or in the region of New England. She served in the position from 1940—1943, from 1954—1955, and from 1958—1958. From 1968 to 1973, she served as a member-at-large of the Westfield City Council. However, her career as a politician was also marked by significant defeats. A Democrat, Alice ran unsuccessful campaigns for the Massachusetts Senate in 1944 and for the House of Representatives in 1946. With the passage of the 19th Amendment, Alice was eager to exercise her own right to vote.

Alice Burke passed away on May 14, 1974, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was 81 years old. To learn more about this remarkable educator and politician, click on this link to a biography about her published by the Historical Journal of Massachusetts.

LA teacher Janet McCrevan named 2024 State Teacher of the Year finalist

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Elementary school teacher Janet McCrevan has been named a 2024 State Teacher of the Year Finalist by the Louisiana State Department of Education. Photo Credit: Louisiana State Department of Education

There are many outstanding educators who work in American public schools. Janet McCrevan, an elementary school teacher in Louisiana, is one of them. In fact, in 2024 she was named a State Teacher of the Year Finalist by the Louisiana State Department of Education. The honor is to recognize educators who are making exceptional gains with students, guiding them to achieve at the highest levels of achievement in the state.

Janet teaches second graders at South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Shreveport, Caddo Parish. Curriculum at the school emphasizes academics and performing arts.

Janet has always known she would pursue a career in education. “Teaching is in my blood,” declares Janet, “as my mother is a retired teacher. Because of this early exposure to the classroom, I learned to love teaching at an early age,” she continues. “As a young child, I developed a love for teaching and I knew that teaching is what I was born to do,” she concludes.

Originally, Janet is from Wagarville, Alabama. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from the University of Montavallo in Montavallo, Alabama, in 1989.  She earned her Master’s degree from the University of Montavallo in Elementary Education and Early Childhood in 1992. Since 1990, Janet has taught kindergarten, first, and second grades in the states of Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.

Each year the Louisiana Department of Education in partnership with Dream Teachers acknowledges competent, qualified, and motivated teachers through its Teacher of the Year Recognition Program. This year, Janet was honored with other Teacher of the Year finalists at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala held at the World War II Museum on July 22, 2023.