Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

WY teacher Jamie Keisel named 2023 Educator of the Year by WAIC

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Jamie Keisel has been named the 2023 Educator of the Year by Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom. Photo credit: Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom

I am always excited to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Today, I share the story of Jamie Keisel, an elementary school teacher from Wyoming who has been named the 2023 Educator of the Year by the organization Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC).

Jamie teaches third graders at Greybull Elementary School in Greybull. To supplement her lessons in responsible agricultural stewardship, she organizes guest speakers from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, the Conservation District, and the agricultural community. In addition, she asks her students to write letters to local ranchers asking about their stewardship practices before taking a field trip to see the ranch in person. She also leads lessons from both the Agriculture and Outdoor Recreation and Tourism units.

“Jamie teaches our students to be good stewards of the land through her own examples and stories about the land and livestock that she takes care of in her own life,” says fellow teacher Misty Hernandez. “When the students can see real-life connections from her, it increases their buy-in to what she is teaching. Jamie truly loves teaching our students about agriculture in Wyoming and how to take care of our land and resources,” Misty continues.

The honored educator is not only active on her school campus, but also in her local community. She has been involved with writing, revising, and teaching the Wyoming Stewardship Project, and she participates in the annual Bookmark & Beyond contest.

The Educator of the Year program recognizes an outstanding elementary educator who demonstrates excellence in education by implementing innovative agriculture, minerals and energy, and outdoor recreation and tourism projects into their classroom and the surrounding community. A committee then selects one educator from the nominees is then awarded a cash prize of $2,500. To learn more about the program, click on this link to WAIC.

Teacher Giovanna Margalli recognized by MN State Dept. of Education

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Giovanna Margalli of Edina, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the best teachers in her state. Photo credit: Education Minnesota

The Minnesota State Department of Education recognized several teachers they consider to be the best in the state last April. One of them is Giovanna Margalli. She was one of eleven teachers throughout Minnesota who were named finalists for their 2023 State Teacher of the Year.

Giovanna a fourth grade teacher at Cornelia Elementary School located in Edina, Minnesota.

“Teaching is complicated and messy, but hidden within the mess are the most beautiful moments of connection. And being a part of those moments is why I teach,” declares Giovanna.

Congratulations, Giovanna!

 

NM elem teacher Magali Gomez garners 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Magali Gomez of New Mexico garners prestigious 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

There are many excellent public school teachers who deserve recognition. One of them is Magali Gomez of Deming, New Mexico. She has garnered a prestigious 2023—2024 Milken Educator Award.

Magali teaches fifth graders at Ruben S. Torres Elementary School. In her classroom, she emphasizes project-based learning in her curriculum. For example, she teaches her students how to use data-trackers to chart their own growth as they learn new sight words; incorporates color-coded strategies for teaching math; and teaches communications skills through a hands-on journalism project that encourages students to use data-driven journalism techniques to inform their writing.

And the results of Magali’s efforts are measurable. “Her ability to adapt the latest evidence-based teaching models to relatable lessons for her students has produced tremendous academic achievement growth in reading, math, and language,” declares Dr. Arsenio Romero, New Mexico Secretary of Public Education.

Magali’s leadership extends beyond her classroom, into the school campus and the local community. She is viewed as a leader and mentor among her colleagues. She also serves as a court-appointed advocate for foster children; an honorary board member of Playsharity, a hands-on children’s museum; and an adjunct professor in social work at Western New Mexico University. As if all the were not enough, she often helps non-native English speakers with taxes or benefit applications, she cares for the homeless, and she helps migrant families adjust to their new lives in Deming.

Magali earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western New Mexico University in 2012. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2017 and a second Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching in 2021, both from the same university.

Teacher Magazine has described the Milken Educator Awards 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 together to strengthen best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Idaho’s Kelly Carey honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Kelly Garey of Idaho has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Photo credit: Idaho Press

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional teacher. Today, I shine a light on Kelly Garey, an elementary school teacher from Caldwell, Idaho. She has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Kelly teaches second grade at Van Buren Elementary School in Caldwell. In her classroom, she has created a community called Tribes, developing curriculum which emphasizes the use of inclusion activities. Her class concludes each day with a sharing community circle for students to reflect on their day. She also spearheads drug prevention programs and expands her students’ knowledge about patriotic and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics. She also helps teach her students about the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance and good citizenship. She has been a teacher for 33 years.

Kelly was nominated for the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award by members of VFW Post 3886 in Caldwell. She earned her honor for her dedication to fostering patriotism, her passion for serving her country and local community, and for her efforts to organize field trips, activities, and services to help her students learn about and recognize the military service of America’s veterans.

This Chalkboard Champion is a retired Navy veteran, with a career in the Navy Reserves that spanned more than 30 years. As a Chief Petty Officer, Kelly worked for the Navy Operations Support Center in Boise. She was also an active member on the Navy Funeral Honor Guard. With this extensive experience, she leads her students and members of her community to understand why veterans choose to serve, the rich history of our nation’s flag, and the genuine spirit of freedom.  She retired from the military in June, 2022.

 

CA elem teacher Ofelia Valdez-Yeager served her local community

Posted on by

Former California elementary teacher Ofelia Valdez-Yeager also served in many capacities in her community in many capacities. Photo credit: Hispanic Lifestyle

Many excellent classroom teachers go on to influential positions within their community. This is true of Ofelia Valdez-Yeager, a former elementary teacher from Riverside, California.

Ofelia was born in Tayoltita, Durango, Mexico, in 1947. The following year, she moved to Tijuana with her family, and ten years after that, they relocated to Montebello, California.  When she enrolled in American schools, she couldn’t speak English, but education was an emphasis in her home, so by the end of the year she finished at the top of her class. Once she graduated from high school, Ofelia began her college yeas at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), in 1965. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 1969, and her elementary teaching certificate in 1971.

Ofelia inaugurated her career as an educator in the Cucamonga School District as a bilingual-bicultural Follow Through teacher, focusing on grades K-3. In those early years, she also worked as an Upward Bound residential tutor and counselor, a high school counseling assistant, and a bilingual resource teacher. Having married Ley Yeager in 1969, she also raised a family during those years.

In 1992, Ofelia was elected as the first Latina board member for the Riverside Unified School District. While in this role, she increased the school district’s outreach to Spanish-speaking families, thereby improving access, equity, and inclusion for Latino students. In her later years, this Chalkboard Champion also helped to raise $3 million to establish The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside, which opened in June, 2022.

For her work in the community, Ofelia has earned many accolades. In 2016, she garnered both the UCR Distinguished Alumna of the Year and the UCR Alumna Service Award. In 2019, she garnered the Mission Inn Foundation’s Frank Miller Civic Achievement Award, and in 2022, she was named the Athena Award recipient.

Sadly, Ofelia passed away on Jan. 7, 2024, days before her 77th birthday.