Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

ELEM teacher Shelly Teel named finalist for 2026 Florida State Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Shelly Teel has been named a finalist for 2026 Florida State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education

Many exceptional educators work with young people in American schools, and occasionally one of them is singled out for special recognition. One of these is Shelly Teel, an elementary school teacher from Florida. She has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year by the Florida State Department of Education.

Shelly teaches third graders at Westside Elementary School in Columbia County, where she grew up. She is known for her use of holistic and inclusive teaching practices, building strong student-teacher relationships, and a strong sense of community.

“I use small groups to drive everything that I do,” reveals Shelly, “so if I teach it whole group, I’m re-teaching it in small group, and that gives me a chance to interact with my kids on every single standard,” she continues. Shelly also provides after-school tutoring.

Shelley’s expertise as an educator and communicator is widely known. “Mrs. Teel possesses a remarkable ability to make learning both fun and engaging,” declares Columbia County School Superintendent Keith Couey. “She is a truly exceptional educator whose dedication, passion and ability to connect with students sets her apart,” he continues.

Shelly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Leo University. She has also earned her certification in English for Speakers of Other Languages and she is certified in Reading.

The 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were selected from nearly 175,000 public school teachers. The criteria used to select these exemplary teachers includes an outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning, and outstanding school and community service. The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.

 

Letha Raney, long-time educator and pioneering principal, served in Southern California public schools

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Long-time teacher and principal Letha Raney was a pioneering educator in the Corona Norco Unified School District located  in Corona, in Southern California. Photo credit: From One Room…The 125-Year History of Corona-Norco-Eastvale Schools.

Many excellent teachers have served students in our nation’s public schools. One of these was Letha Raney, an honored elementary teacher and pioneering principal in Corona in Southern California.

Letha was born in Albany, Oregon, on Nov. 29, 1894. As her young child, she traveled to Corona, California, in a covered wagon with her parents, her sister, and four brothers. The family arrived in Corona by 1897. She attended elementary and secondary schools in the Corona Norco School District. In 1912, graduated as one of 19 members of the first graduating class  from Corona High School.

Once she earned her high school diploma, Letha completed courses in teacher training from Los Angeles State Normal School, which later became UCLA in 1919. She inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position at Rugby School in the Temescal Valley on the outskirts of Corona. By 1918, Letha was working as the principal of Washington Grammar School, the first woman principal in the Corona Norco Unified School District. By 1923, she became the principal of newly-established Corona Junior High School. She served there until her retirement in 1952. (By the way, this is the school where I began my own teaching career in 1981. I taught there for eight years!)

Letha Raney dedicated her entire professional life to educating Corona’s children. In recognition of her work and impact in the community, the Corona Norco School District built a new junior high school in 1966 and dedicated the building as Letha Raney Junior High School in her honor. She attended the cornerstone ceremony for the new school when construction first started. A time capsule was placed in the wall describing her achievements in education, but the capsule has, up to this date, not been opened.

Sadly, this remarkable Chalkboard Champion passed away on Dec. 14, 1983, in Orange, California. She is interred in Corona.

NYC teacher Jane Yi garners 2025-2026 Big Apple Award

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Jane Yi

Elementary school teacher Jane Yi of New York City has garnered a 2025-2026 Big Apple Award.  Photo credit: NYC Public Schools

There are many fine examples of outstanding educators working in New York City pubic schools. One of these is Jane Yi, an elementary school teacher from the Bronx. She has garnered a 2025-2026 Big Apple Award from New York City Pubic Schools.

Jane teaches math and science to fifth graders at PS 49, the Willis Avenue School. She has been employed there for the past 21 years. In her classroom, Jane creates a student-centered environment grounded in exploration, where discussion and debate are essential tools for learning. Her approach encourages students to think critically, share their ideas freely, and embrace their mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.

In addition, from 2021 to 2023 Jane served as a Model Teacher and currently served her grade team as the 5th Grade Leader.

The Big Apple Award celebrates teachers who inspire students and model equitable, high-expectations learning for diverse needs in NYC Public Schools. 

to learn more about Chalkboard Champion Jane Yi, click on this link to NYC Big Apple Awards.

ALonna Soward-Puryear garners honors as Maryland’s 2026 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school educator ALonna Soward-Puryear has been named the 2026 Teacher of the Year for the state of Maryland. Photo credit: CCSSO NTOY

I am always excited to shine a spotlight on an exceptional educator who has garnered accolades for their work in the classroom. Today, I shine the spotlight on ALonna Soward-Puryear, an elementary school teacher from Maryland. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

ALonna teaches math and reading to first, third, and fourth graders at Monocacy Elementary School in Frederick, Maryland. There she works as a targeted interventionist. She has taught at the school since 2019.

In her classroom, ALonna employs culturally responsive teaching in her instructional design, recognizing and leveraging students’ diverse cultural backgrounds as assets to learning and ensuring that all students see themselves in the curriculum and feel empowered to engage.

“My students are hands-down my favorite part of teaching. They’re the reason I do what I do,” declares ALonna. “I love their energy, their curiosity, their notes and drawings, and the inside jokes we build as a class,” she continued. “There’s nothing better than seeing how much they grow, not just academically, but as people throughout the year,” she concluded.

In addition to her work with young students, ALonna serves on the school’s School Improvement Team and the Systemic Team for Blueprint Implementation. She actively fosters instructional excellence and promotes a community of academic growth through initiatives such as the Ready for Pre-K/K and the ELEVATE summer programs. And as if all that were not enough, she mentors beginning teachers.

“Be a lifelong learner,” ALonna advises those she mentors. “One of the most important things you can do as an educator is to stay curious and reflective. During your internships, don’t be afraid to take risk, try new strategies and experiment with different tools or lesson formats. Then take time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t and how you can grow from it,” she says.

ALonna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Special Education and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2024, both from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

Sp Ed educator Tiffani Jaseph named Arizona’s 2026 State Teacher of the Year

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Special Education teacher Tiffani Jaseph has been named Arizona’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Arizona Educational Foundation

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for their work in American public schools. Today I share the story of Tiffani Jaseph, an elementary teacher from Arizona. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Tiffani currently teaches Special Education to students in grades K-5 at Copper View Elementary School located in Sahuarita, Arizona. There she develops accommodations for students with higher support needs. She is committed to ensuring that her classroom is accessible for both academic and social-emotional development. To achieve this, Tiffani emphasizes inclusive, strengths-based instruction tailored to meet diverse learning styles.Prior to working at Copper View, Tiffani taught In Yuma, Arizona. There she provided Special Education interventions for students from kindergarten through sixth grade. She also worked in the Sunnyside Unified School District, where she taught in an extended-day Special Education program for fourth and fifth graders. In that position, she provided specially-designed instruction while supporting students’ needs in the general education environment. In all, Tiffani’s career as an educator spans 15 years.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Tiffani has helped her school develop a partnership with the University of Arizona Adaptive Sports program. Through this partnership, students can participate in a weeklong physical education clinic. Through this program, students can become engaged in adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball. Tiffani has also established a Running Club on her campus.

Her designation as Arizona’s State Teacher of the Year is not the only honor Tiffani has earned. She was named Teacher of the Year in both the Yuma and Sahuarita districts, and she was a finalist for Sahuarita District Teacher of the Year.

Tiffani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2005 and her Master’s degree in Special Education in 2009, both from the University of Arizona.