Elementary school teacher Alexis Barney has been named Wyoming’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Cowboy State Daily.

I love to share stories about talented and hardworking educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Alexis Barney, an elementary school teacher from Wyoming who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Alexis was raised in Saratoga, Wyoming, As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming, Casper, in 2016. The same year, she earned her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Capella University.

Currently, Alexis teaches fourth and fifth grade at Evansville Elementary in Evansville. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Alexis serves as the English Language Arts goal team leader and on the school leadership team. She also is the School Transformation team leader, the Lego Robotics coach, and Reading Club coordinator. And as if all this were not enough, Alexis has frequently presented reading strategies at teaching conferences around the state and in Colorado.

The honored educator says her teaching philosophy is grounded in empowering students to be kind and courageous, and in creating lifelong learners who are inquisitive and excited about the world around them. She wants her students to find success, no matter their circumstances. “Our attitude is going to be infectious,” Alexis asserts. “I want to empower people to see things in a different light, helping them to find resources, and really turn those ‘can’ts’ into ‘cans.'”

For her untiring work as an educator, Alexis has earned the respect and praise of her colleagues. “Alexis is without a doubt one of the finest educators I have worked with in my nearly three decades in education,” praised Wayne Tuttle, Principal of Evansville Elementary School. “Students thrive in Alexis’ class because of her high expectations, innovative engagement strategies, and relevant learning,” he continued. “When a principal looks for an educator to be an anchor of their school for decades to come, they are searching for someone of Alexis’ quality,” he concluded.

To read more about Alexis Barney, see this article published by the Wyoming Department of Education.

Dedicated teacher and activist Elizabeth Almira Allen of New Jersey. Photo credit: New Jersey Women’s Association.

There are many examples of dedicated teachers who have worked tirelessly to improving the benefits and conditions of the teaching profession. One such teacher who exemplifies this is the activist Elizabeth Almira Allen of New Jersey.

Elizabeth Allen was born in Joliet, Illinois, on February 27, 1854. She was the oldest of five children born to James and Sarah Allen. Her father was a Civil War veteran. Her family lived for brief periods in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, but by 1867, they settled in New Jersey.

Elizabeth was only 13 years old when she enrolled in the Model School of Trenton, a facility associated with the State Normal School. The college is now known as Trenton State College. Two years later, Elizabeth graduated from the institution. She began teaching in Atlantic City. In 1871, she transferred to a position in Hoboken, New Jersey. In a career that spanned 48 years, she taught in the classroom and served as the principal of local elementary and high schools. She also supervised the training of new teachers at Hoboken Normal and Training School.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth worked tirelessly as a teachers’ rights advocate. In 1913, she became the first woman President of the New Jersey Education Association. In this role, she argued for tenure laws, disability benefits, and pensions for teachers.

This amazing educator could speak German and French fluently, and some Russian and Italian. She was an avid student of history. In addition, she published a book of poems entitled Golden Nails to Hang Memories On (1890) which detailed the accomplishments of famous people. Despite her limited means, she loved to travel, and made many cross-Atlantic voyages. She also visited Canada, Alaska, Central America, and Algiers.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away from congestive heart failure on May 3, 1919, at the age of 65. She is buried in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey. You can read more about her in Pedagogies of Resistance: Women Educator Activists by Margaret Crocco and Petra Munro Henry, available on amazon.

Elementary school teacher Danielle Boutin of Nashua, New Hampshire, has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Nashua School District.

Congratulations are due to Danielle Boutin, an elementary school teacher from Nashua, New Hampshire. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Danielle teaches fifth grade at Ledge Street Elementary School. She works with English language learners and multicultural students. Her career as an educator has spanned 11 years.

“Danielle is an intelligent, caring, and talented educator who knows exactly what it takes to make a difference in the lives of students and families,” expressed Ledge Street Principal Chas Miller. “She is unparalleled in her ability to build strong, positive relationships and Danielle is always looking for new ways to innovate and grow as a teacher,” he continued.

This Chalkboard Champion also works hard to collaborate and advocate for the needs of her students at the school, district, and state level. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of several state ELL advisory committees.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Danielle strives to build a strong community support network which she can lean on to help her families with a variety of issues, including food and housing insecurity, domestic violence, and trauma.

The honored educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Humanities from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. She earned her first Master’s degree in Education in Secondary English and a certificate in English Speakers of Other Languages, also from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. In 2021, she earned a second Master’s degree from American College in Education, in Educational Leadership and Administration.

To learn more about Danielle Boutin, see this article about her published by the New Hampshire State Department of Education.