For her extensive body of work as an educator, former classroom teacher and administrator Catherine Bell was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: Texas Woman’s University

Many excellent educators achieve honors of distinction for their work in the profession. One of these was Catherine Bell, a classroom teacher, administrator, educational innovator, and teachers’ union leader from Texas. For her extensive body of work as an educator, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

Catherine Bell was born on June 29, 1907, in Groveton, Texas. After her graduation from high school, young Catherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bachelor University. She earned both her Master’s degree and her PhD from the University of Houston, and she also completed courses at the University of Chicago.

After earning her degrees, Catherine accepted a position as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District, where she taught for 11 years. She spent the next four years as a principal at Port Houston Elementary School. She spent 14 years as the District’s Assistant Director of Elementary Education, and then was appointed the Director of Elementary Education, where she served for nine years. In addition, she served as the Area IV Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, and then as Assistant Superintendent for K-12 Basic Skills. During these years, she co-authored the Developmental Science Series and Skill Building Series books.

In addition to her work as an administrator, Catherine served as a member of the White House Conference on Education in both 1955 and 1960. She represented the United States at The World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession in Paris, Dublin, Abidjan, and Sidney. She was also a member of both the Board of Examiners on Teacher Education and of the Texas Commission on Science. In addition, she was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association in 1954.

In all, Catherine served as a professional educator for 47 years. She retired in 1976. For her body of work in the field, Catherine was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984. Kate Bell Elementary School in Houston was named in her honor. She was also named a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and an Honorary Life Trustee of the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation.

Catherine Bell passed away on Feb. 25, 2003. She was 95 years old.

Educator Amy Okimoto was selected one of seven finalists for Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Amy Okimoto

There are many excellent educators in Colorado public schools. One of them is Amy Okimoto. She was named one of seven finalists for her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Amy currently serves as the Culturally Responsive Education Specialist in Summit Elementary School in the Cherry Creek School District in Aurora. She works with students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Previously she taught third grade at Ponderosa Elementary School in Aurora; fourth grade in Denver Public Schools; and Gifted Education Courses in Sierra Vista Pubic Schools in Sierra Vista, Arizona. She has also taught in Nepal. And she has worked as an Affiliate Instructor at Metropolitan State University in Denver. Altogether, her career as an educator spans nearly 30 years.

As part of her work at Summit Elementary, Amy facilitates several student groups, including the Changemakers, the STAR Club, and the STEAM Club. At the district level, she is the co-facilitator for the Asian American Pacific Islander Affinity Group for AAPI teachers.

Amy is obviously highly respected in her district. “Amy is an incredible educator whose dedication to social-emotional learning and restorative practices has made a big impact at Summit Elementary,” declares Christopher Smith, Superintendent of Cherry Creek Schools. “Her leadership in student groups and her commitment to fostering a supportive community exemplify the values we hold dear,” he continued.

Amy earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs with a minor in Asian Studies from Northern Arizona University in 1996. She earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2009. She earned a second Master’s degree in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity from Adams State University Alamosa, Colorado, in 2014.

As a 2025 Teacher of the Year finalist, Amy will receive $1,500 from the Colorado State Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation, and her school will receive a $500 donation from Boettcher.

Elementary school teacher Emily Litz has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

There are many exceptional teachers working in our nation’s schools who are deserving of recognition. One of these is Emily Litz, an elementary school teacher from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award.

Emily teaches fifth grade at Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School. In her classroom, she tailors lessons and teaching techniques that apply to her students’ diverse academic needs. She incorporates hands-on, inquiry-based, conceptual learning over memorization.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Emily mentors fellow educators, contributes to developing curriculum and pacing guidelines, and implements new programs. She also served on a committee that developed a fifth grade standards-based report card.

Emily is well-known for the creativity and spirit of play she brings to her lessons. She sprinkles her students with glitter for good luck before tests. She transforms her classroom into a wilderness, complete with a “campfire,” where students share their writing pieces. She has also developed a classroom job application where students must explain their qualifications in writing to be “hired” for positions ranging from attendance aide to supply manager.

Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 2010 and her Master’s degree in Education with a Specialization in Reading and Literacy from Capella University in 2020. 

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. To learn more about the program, click on their website at Milken Educator Awards.