Retired elementary teacher Nancy Henning works tirelessly for the prestigious organization Delta Kappa Gamma. Photo credit: Delta Kappa Gamma.

I always enjoy sharing stories of exceptional educators. One of these is Nancy Henning, a retired elementary school teacher from Tallahassee, Florida. Today she spends her time and energy working for the prestigious organization Delta Kappa Gamma.

Nancy was born at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Being raised in a military family meant she moved frequently during her childhood. Before her father’s retirement to Tallahassee, Florida, she lived in Texas, Illinois, Washington DC, and the Philippines.

After her graduation from Leon High School, Nancy enrolled in courses at Florida State University. There she earned four degrees, all in the field of education. Her teaching certificate includes Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Mathematics and Science, and Educational Leadership.

Nancy inaugurated her teaching career the Monday morning after her college graduation. Her first teaching position was at Sopchoppy Elementary School in Wakulla County, where she took over a kindergarten class for a teacher on maternity leave. When that assignment was completed, she taught fifth grade in Wakulla County for seven years. She also taught Title I Math at Crawfordville Elementary School until she was selected to teach at Wakulla Middle School in its inaugural year. There Nancy taught reading, Language Arts, math, and science, and served as the team leader.

Nancy’s next position was as a math teacher at Cobb Middle School. She taught sixth and seventh grade math until being named the Dean of Students. Later she worked in the same capacity at Fairview Middle School. There she was named the 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinator for a federally-funded program that provided after school educational instruction and services to students and their families.

In her last year of teaching, Nancy went back to the classroom full time, teaching seventh grade math. She once remarked it was the best year ever, and she left the profession with wonderful, happy memories. Nancy retired in 2015.

In 1982, Nancy was inducted into The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a prestigious organization for women educators. She has served at the chapter level as Membership Chair, Treasurer, Program Chair, Vice President, and President. She was the District I Director in 2006-2008. At the state level she has served on numerous committees and as the Chair of the Program of Work Committee. Currently she serves as President of the Florida State Organization, having previously held the elected offices of Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Second Vice President, and First Vice President.

Third grade teacher Leah Porter of Holt, Michigan, has been named her state’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Lansing State Journal.

I always enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Leah Porter, an elementary school teacher from Holt, Michigan. She has been named her state’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year.

Leah is teaching third grade at Wilcox Elementary School in Holt this year, but she spent the last 15 years teaching kindergarten. Her career as an educator has spanned a total of 16 years. Leah has served her school in a variety of roles over her tenure there, including serving as a Reading Recovery teacher, teacher leader, and interventionist.

Leah is best known for her ability to build relationships with her students, and to build an atmosphere of inclusion in her classroom. “In my greatest dreams, I see an educational system that allows each child the freedom to be themselves, to have security and trust in their learning spaces, and to be celebrated for all that they are,” declared Leah.

Leah said that she has dreamed of being since she was a little girl. About a decade ago, her mother even found an old childhood drawing she’d made of herself as a teacher, which now hangs in her classroom. Reflecting on why she chose to become an educator, Leah credited her childhood teachers from North Elementary School in Lansing, Michigan, who taught her to appreciate the learning community that school provides. “I loved thinking about how you could be creative (in the job) and have to work and be on your toes every second of the day,” she said. “For all the prep and things that you think teaching will be, it’s a thousand times better than all those things and a thousand times as challenging, too, simultaneously,” she continued.

Leah earned both her Bachelor’s degree in 2004 and her Master’s degree in 2009, both from Michigan State University College of Education.

Second grade teacher Morgan Rankin has been named the 2022 Tennessee State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: WJHL

It is always a pleasure to share stories about outstanding educators who have earned recognition for their work. One of these is Morgan Rankin, who has been named the 2022 Tennessee State Teacher of the Year.

Morgan teaches second grade at South Side Elementary School in Johnson City. She has worked at the school for seven years. She came to Tennessee in 2014 from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she taught kindergarten.

“I’m always looking for those hands-on ways that are gonna get those kids excited and hooked in the learning,” revealed Morgan. “Kids by nature are really curious, inquisitive, and often really driven on their own to seek out information. The best part of my job is I get to be a part of steering that in specific directions,” she continued. Morgan encourages her students to be strong readers, to ask questions, and above all else, be kind. “The things we are doing now are shaping them into who they are going to be as adults,” the honored teacher asserts. “I think that is an incredible opportunity.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Morgan is the founder of South Side School’s Genius Hour, an inquiry-based learning club for students modeled after Google’s 20% Project.

As if all this were not enough, Morgan serves as an active member of the Technology Teacher Leaders in Johnson City Schools. In this role, she mentors other educators on the use of technology in the classroom. She is also is a founding member of the Blue Ridge Literacy Project, a program that delivers professional development in research-based literacy practices to Tennessee teachers. She has been a Technology Teacher Leader in her district since 2016.

Throughout her career as a literacy specialist and elementary educator, Morgan has been committed to instilling a love of reading and inquiry-based learning in all students. She believes that all children can learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a warm and welcoming classroom environment that provides hands-on, student-centered learning.

Elementary school teacher Janet Helvey of Meta, Kentucky, succumbed to Covid-19 on December 26, 2026. She was 58 years old. Photo credit: Lexington Herald Leader

We are sad to report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Janet Helvey, an elementary school teacher in Meta, Pike County, Kentucky, succumbed to the disease on December 26, 2021. She was 58 years old.

Janet taught fifth grade, specializing in science and math, at Johns Creek Elementary in Meta. Her career there spanned 22 years. The popular and respected educator will be sorely missed. “She will be one of the teachers who has etched a mark in my son’s heart, asserted Parent Jennifer Lindon. “She offered additional time for my son when needed and pushed him to succeed when needed. She was compassionate and kind but stern because she knew his ability to succeed,” Lindon said.

Janet was born on July 20, 1963, in Pikesville, Kentucky. After her graduation from Mullins High School, she attended Pikeville College and Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky.