Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

Marta Garcia named Massachusetts 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary teacher Marta Garcia of Salem, Massachusetts, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Massachusetts Computer Using Educators

Congratulations to Marta Garcia, an elementary teacher from Massachusetts, who has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. The award is presented each year to a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators within the state.

Marta teaches English as a Second Language to second and third graders at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem. Before accepting a position in the Salem Public School District in 2006, she taught in California and Spain. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 23 years.

The honored teacher helps students who are new immigrants to the country overcome obstacles with the language and culture. And she wants them to feel proud about their origins. “In my daily teaching, I try to help students nurture their identities and feel proud of their origins as they acquire new ways of seeing the world through a new culture and language,” declares Marta. “I consider myself the bridge on which my students can navigate opportunities coming from both sides, without rejecting one or the other.” To achieve this goal, Marta has served on her district’s Equity Matters team, multiple curriculum committees, and numerous English-learner task forces.

For her work as an educator, Marta has earned many accolades. She earned her district’s Read Trust Excellence in Science Teaching Award. In addition, the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages nominated her for their Teacher of the Year Award.

Marta earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Valladolid in Spain. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages fro Salem State University. She first came to the United States as part of the Visiting Teachers from Spain program, and later she decided to relocate to this country.

 

Wyoming’s Diana Ohman: Successful politician and former elem teacher

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Former elementary teacher and politician Diana Ohman of Wyoming. Photo Credit: Casper Foundation and Alumni Association

There are many examples of talented classroom teachers who go on to successful careers in politics. One of them is Diana Ohman, a former elementary school teacher from Wyoming.

Diana was born Oct. 3, 1950, in Sheridan, Wyoming. Her family later moved to Gurley, Nebraska, where she attended Gurley High School. Once she earned her high school diploma, Diana returned to Wyoming to attend first Casper Community College, and then the University of Wyoming, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education and her Master’s degree in Education Administration. After completing her education, Diana worked as an elementary school teacher at a rural school in Casper. There she developed her organization skills by meeting the needs of all the students who were at different grade levels. Later she became a principal in Torrington.

In 1990, Diana was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, where she served until 1995. She was then elected Wyoming’s Secretary of State, a position she held from 1995 to 1999. Once her term was over, she worked as a school superintendent in Laramie County. She also became a Deputy Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA). In this role, she led the organization’s European Division and then, in 2009, she took charge of the Pacific Division. In 2011, she accepted a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Later, Diana worked in the National Cemetery Administration Department, where she was in charge of cemeteries throughout the Midwestern United States. The accomplished politician retired in 2018.

For her work in the classroom, Diana was named Best Teacher for Campbell County, Wyoming, in 1980. She also earned a State Principal Award from the US Office of Education in 1990.  She was also honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award by the Casper College Foundation and Alumni Association in 2009.

Deanne Moyle-Hicks named Nevada’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary School teacher Deanne Moyle-Hicks of the Washoe County School District has been named Nevada’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: LinkedIn.com

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional teacher who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Deanne Moyle-Hicks, an elementary school teacher in the Washoe County School District in northern Nevada, is one of these. She has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Deanne teaches fourth grade at Natchez Elementary School, a Title 1 school located on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. Teaching at this school presents a plethora of challenges, says Natchez Principal Jake Chapin. Most of the students live in poverty. A higher percentage of students than average have been diagnosed with a learning disability. And, because Native Americans have been hard hit by COVID-19, one in 20 students has faced the death of a parent, Chapin reports.

As a professional, Deanne is passionate about her students. She believes they deserve relevant and rigorous learning experiences. To provide her kids with consistency, she has looped with her current students since they were in the first grade. She believes in cultivating family partnerships, and she works diligently to build trust in her relationships with students and parents. This work has yielded a significant impact on student success and achievement.

Deanne’s service as Nevada’s 2022 Teacher of the Year is not the only work outside of the classroom the honored educator performs. She has collaborated with Opportunity 180, the Nevada PTA, and Nevada Succeeds. She also works with the Teachers and Leaders Council and the National Teach Plus Teacher Cabinet. In addition, she is a Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow; a National Understood Fellow; and a member of the Nevada National Board Professional Learning Network.

Deanne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her Master’s in Literacy from Lesley University. She is also National Board certified. Her career as an educator spans 28 years.

 

Happy Independence Day, Teachers!

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This delightful image was created by Emily Wunderle of Saxtons River, Vermont, to represent Saxtons River Elementary School teacher Jaime Douglass. Photo Credit: The Vermont Journal

Isn’t this Independence Day image delightful? The design was created by Emily Wunderle from Saxtons River, Vermont, in 2021. Emily won many art contests while a student at Bellows Falls Union High School in her home state.

Emily’s Independence Day drawing features a teacher dressed in patriotic clothing poised at the blackboard while holding class online. Emily created the image as a tribute to teachers, especially Saxtons River Elementary School teacher Jaimie Douglass. Jaime was honored last year by the University of Vermont as an Outstanding Teacher.

 

Texas educator Blanca Enriquez served as Director of Head Start

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Immigrant and former Texas first grade teacher Blanca Enriquez served as the Director of Head Start. Photo Credit: The Prospector

Many times gifted classroom teachers rise to positions of rest influence in the educational community. This is true of Blanca Enriquez, a former elementary school teacher who served as the Director of Head Start.

Head Start is a national program created by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served more than 31 million low-income children and their families from birth to age 5 through comprehensive early childhood education, health and nutrition programs, and parent involvement. Blanca has held the position of Director since 2015.

Blanca was born in Ciudad Juarez, and immigrated to the United States when she was only six years old. She was raised in El Segundo Barrio in El Paso, Texas. This neighborhood is one of El Paso’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, but it is also one of the poorest ZIP codes in the nation.

When she graduated from the city’s Bowie High School, Blanca placed in the top 10% of her class. She went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, and she completed the requirements for her PhD in Education Administration and Management at New Mexico State University.

Blanca launched her career as a professional educator in 1973 when she accepted a position as a teacher’s aide in El Paso. After she earned her degrees, she taught English as a Second language to kindergarteners and first graders in El Paso public schools. By 1986, she held the position of the Director of Region 19 of Head Start, a position she held for 21 years.

In addition to these roles, Blanca has also served as a member of the Texas State Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Education. She was appointed by former President George W. Bush as an advisory board member for the National Institute for Literacy, and she is a member of the National Association for the Education of Children, the Texas and National Associations for Bilingual Education, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

For her work as an educator, Blanca was inducted into the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999.