Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

Sara Reed named 2018 Wyoming State Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Congratulations to kindergarten teacher Sara Reed, who was named the 2018 Wyoming State Teacher of the Year. “Sara Reed is one of those outstanding individuals whose personal mission fits their professional mission,” says Boyd Brown, Superintendent of Campbell County School District #1. “During her 12 years as a kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Reed has taken every student in her class and worked to meet their needs, no matter what learning style they may have or other hardship they may be dealing with outside of school,” Brown declares. “Sara is a leader in her school, the district, and will be a great role model as the Wyoming State Teacher of the Year,” he concluded.

Sara was raised in a family of educators in Gillette, Wyoming. She has been a teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School for 12 years. She has a reputation for making every effort to get to know each student and their families so she can tailor her teaching to meet their needs. She also incorporates “movement with a purpose” into her classroom to help her students improve in their reading and writing, and to reduce behavior problems.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Sara developed the Kindergarten Mentor Program at Hillcrest. The program pairs each kindergartener with a sixth grader at the beginning of the school year to ease the transition into school. Sara matches students based on interest, gender, and culture, making sure that each English-Language Learner student has a sixth grader that can speak with them in their native language. Principal Brad Winter says the mentor program is one of the most positive and successful programs available at Hillcrest, and it has helped ease the stress of starting kindergarten for many of the students and their families.

Congratulations, Sara!

Inspiration from 2018 NY Teacher of the Year Christopher Albrecht

Posted on by

Here is your daily dose of inspiration. It comes from Christopher Albrecht, a fourth-grade teacher at the Fred W. Hill School in Brockport, New York. Christopher is the 2018 New York State Teacher of the Year. This amazing educator has mentored numerous student teachers and several first-year teachers. Obvioiusly, he is eager to spread his passion for the profession. View his video below:

 

Brian Marinelli: Elementary school teacher, former Air Force serviceman

Posted on by
Brian Marinelli

Idaho elementary school teacher and former Air Force serviceman Brian Marinelli

Throughout the country, there are many dedicated educators who have also served our country in the military. One of these is Brian Marinelli, a retired Air Force serviceman who is now an elementary school teacher in Boise, Idaho.

Brian spent 23 years in the Air Force, and retired as a Senior Master Seargeant. While in the service, he traveled the globe working in satellite communications. Once he retired, Brian didn’t know what he was going to do, until he spent time as a volunteer in his daughter’s classroom. After that experience, he knew he wanted to be a school teacher. While still in the Air Force, Brian registered with Troops to Teachers (TTT), a government program that offers advice, support in getting a teacher certification, and assistance in finding a teaching job.

Brian is now in his seventh year as an elementary teacher at Collister Elementary School  in Boise, Idaho. He is currently teaching fifth- and sixth-grade gifted students. He teaches three different math courses, two science, and one language arts course each day.

“I take to my classroom the same fire and commitment I had on the flight line in the Air Force,” asserts Brian. “If you were dedicated to your work in the military, you will be dedicated as a school teacher also.”

Dr. Gerald Bell, Marinelli’s principal at Collister Elementary School in Boise, praises the former serviceman’s work with young people, “Brian is an outstanding individual. He has great enthusiasm and passion for teaching and has a backbone for doing the right thing. He connects immediately with his students. He is a leader — confident, but with humility and ready to learn new skills,” says Bell.

To learn more about the TTT program, consult this link: Troops to Teachers.

Susan Rubio: Educator and candidate for California State Senate

Posted on by
Susan Rubio

Susan Rubio: Educator and candidate for California State Senate

This year a record number of educators are mounting campaigns for public office. One of these is Susan Rubio, a fourth grade teacher from Baldwin Park, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. After winning her primary, Susan, a Democrat, is running to represent District 22 in the California State Senate.

Susan was born in Juarez, Mexico. Her parents were immigrants to the United States; her father came to Texas through the Bracero program, working as a farmer. After the program was discontinued, the Rubio family settled in California. While she was growing up, Susan says, her parents taught her the importance of hard work and determination.

Susan is the product of public schools. After her graduation from high school, she attended Azusa Pacific University. There she earned a Master’s degree in Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. During her college years she worked as a bookkeeper doing payroll and taxes for a private company. After earning her degree, the neophyte teacher inaugurated her 17-year career as an educator. Currently she is a fourth grade teacher at Broadoaks Elementary School in the Monrovia Unified School District.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Susan has experience as a public servant. She was first elected to represent the city of Baldwin Park as their City Clerk. In 2009, she was selected to be a Council Member for the city, where she helped balance the city budget during the recession. In addition, Susan has a long record of volunteerism and partnership with local non-profits, providing mentorships and college scholarships for local students.

Susan can claim two decades of experience as a community leader, classroom teacher, and public servant. She also describes herself as “a lifelong champion for children, working families, economic justice, and the environment.”

You can learn more about Susan Rubio at her campaign website at the following link:  www.susanrubio.com.

Educator Sherrie Conley runs for seat in Oklahoma House of Representatives

Posted on by
Sherrie Conley

In November’s election, educator Sherrie Conley is running for a seat in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

In today’s politically charged environment, many talented educators have decided to step up to the plate and run for public office. One of these is Sherrie Conley, a educator from Oklahoma who is running for a seat in her state’s House of Representatives.

Sherrie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1994. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2016. The chalkboard champion inaugurated her fifteen-year career as an elementary school teacher in the Oklahoma City Public School District. She currently works as an Assistant Principal.

Sherrie, who is hoping to represent District 20, is running on the Republican ticket. “Yes, I’m a Republican, but I have (had) an opportunity to see what happens to our people when core services are cut and when we don’t take care of our families,” explained Sherrie. During a recent budget crisis in her state, her home-town school district was forced to cut down to a four-day week.

In the primary election, Sherrie beat out three-term incumbent state lawmaker Bobby Cleveland in a primary runoff election. She will face Democrat Steve Jarman of Pauls Valley in the general election in November.