Tag Archives: English Teachers

Iowa English teacher has been named the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

English teacher Ann Mincks of Des Moines, Iowa, has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Des Moines public Schools

Our nation is fortunate to have so many outstanding educators working in our public schools. One of these is Ann Mincks, an English Language Learner teacher from Des Moines, Iowa. She has ben named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. The award honors exceptional teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and who have made a significant impact on both students and colleagues.

Currently, Ann teaches English language learners (ELL) at Hoover High School in the Des Moines Public School District. Her students range in ability levels from emerging to advanced, and span ninth through 12th graders.

During her 16 years as a professional educator, Ann has filled various roles, including working as an instructional coach and as an adjunct professor. Her passion is working with both students and staff to support the language development of all learners. “I believe our actions as educators matter,” Ann declares. “I want students to have an experience that truly breaks down the walls of the classroom and connects students to their future successes in a career and as a community member,” she continues.

Ann earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Education with a minor in Spanish and an endorsement in English Language Learner Instruction from Iowa State University located in Ames, Iowa. That was in 2007. In 2011, she earned her Master’s degree in Education with a Reading Endorsement and a Literacy Specialist Endorsement from Viterbo University located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. To read more about Ann, click on this link to the Des Moines Register.

The Iowa Teacher of the Year program was established in 1958 and is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education. Educators who are honored serve as ambassadors to colleagues in Iowa’s schools, higher education, and communities.

Marcella Fitisone named American Samoa’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

High school English teacher Marcella Fitisone has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for American Samoa. Photo Credit: Talanei.com

I always enjoy sharing the story of a remarkable educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Marcella Fitisone, a high school English teacher from American Samoa. She haas been named her territory’s 2024 Teacher of the Year!

Marcella teaches Language Arts at Tafuna High School, the largest public high school in American Samoa. At Tafuna, Marcella instructs courses of senior English and College Prep. She has a been teaching there for seven years.
 
Not only is Marcella a teacher at Tafuna, but she is also a 2013 graduate of the school. After her high school graduation, she relocated to Berea, Kentucky, where she enrolled at Berea College on an ASG scholarship. Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree, she returned home to American Samoa to teach at her alma mater. In 2020, she earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Louisiana State University Shreveport.

Marcella inaugurated her career as a professional educator in 2017. During the course of her teaching career, she has taken on various leadership roles, including serving as the National Honor Society Board Chairwoman; Brown Sister Club co-founder and advisor; class advisor; Tech Team lead; Speech Festival coach; and Leadership Team member. She currently serves as school coordinator for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Marcella’s philosophy about teaching is based on the premise that education can provide students with the fundamental skills needed to be informed, successful, respectable and responsible citizens beyond the classroom. “Teaching is an act of love and courage,” she declares. “It is a challenge every single day, but it is so rewarding, too,” she continues. “The process of continuous learning is what I love most about teaching. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow,” she concludes.

 

Oregon teacher Lucas Dix garners OnPoint Excellence in Education Award

Posted on by

Educator Lucas Dix, who teaches Media Arts and Journalism at Rowe Middle School in Milwaukie, Oregon, has garnered an OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education award. Photo credit: Kenosha.com

It is always a pleasure for me to share the story of an outstanding teacher who has earned recognition with their work with young people. One of these is Lucas Dix, a high school Media Arts and Journalism teacher at Rowe Middle School located in Milwaukie, Oregon. Lucas has garnered an OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education award.

Interestingly, Lucas is originally a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, not Oregon. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in English from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. After graduating from college, he relocated to Oregon where his brother also lives.

Lucas teaches students in grades six through eight. One of the courses he instructs is called the Shamrock News. In this class, students create a 20-minute YouTube video each week which covers topics relevant to young people, including  social-emotional development and grammar. “It has just all the information of what’s happening inside the school and inside the community,” Lucas explains. At the end of last year, the students completed the production’s 300th episode, and this year, the show is in its tenth year in production.

Lucas has taught at Rowe full-time since 2012, and prior to that he worked there as a substitute. In addition to the courses he instructs, Lucas also coaches Junior Varsity basketball at the high school level, and cross country and track and field at the local middle school and high school.

Lucas is one of four teachers in Oregon who have been recognized with an OnPoint award. The other three recipients were Caryn Anderson of Portland; Willie Williams of Portland; and Samuel Platt of Bend. As part of the award, all four honored teachers will have their rent or mortgage paid for an entire year. In addition, each teacher’s school will receive a $2,500 donation. To learn more about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, visit OnPointcu.com.

Educator Melissa Shelley garners a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award

Posted on by

Language Arts and theater arts educator Melissa Shelley garners a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award. Photo credit: Gruver High School

Our nation’s students are fortunate to have dedicated teachers working diligently to improve their progress in school. One of these is Melissa Shelley, a Language Arts teacher and performing arts instructor from Texas. She has garnered a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award.

Melissa teaches English and Theater at Gruver High School in the small town of Gruver. Since she has taken over the theater program there, she has singlehandedly re-established the theater program and conducted fundraisers for her productions. One way she has done this is by creating “Night of the Arts,” an evening that brings the school and local community together and awakens a passion for the arts in her small, rural town.

Melissa has a global goal in mind when she organizes her courses and her theatrical productions. “My mindset when I teach my subjects is to help students understand themselves, their world, and their place in that world,” explains Melissa. “That is my goal every day I step into my role as an educator, and I am honored to have the opportunity to do it,” she continues.

Melissa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise in 2009 and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2012, both from Texas Tech University.

Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development, and extracurricular programming. This year, over 600 teachers from all over the state were nominated for this prestigious award, and only 15 were selected as winners. Each winning teacher will receive $5,000 for personal use and an additional $1,000 will go to their school to buy instructional materials related to the humanities.

 

AR teacher Ashley Anderson garners coveted Milken Educator Award

Posted on by

Arkansas middle school teacher Ashley Anderson has garnered a coveted 2023 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

Many outstanding teachers who work in our nation’s public schools deserve recognition. One of them is Ashley Anderson, a middle school teacher from Greenbriar, Arkansas. She has garnered a prestigious 2023 Milken Educator Award.

Teacher Magazine has described the Milken Educator Awards as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work together to strengthen best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Ashley teaches English to six graders at Greenbriar Middle School. A creative and innovative educator, she designed a unique sixth-grade course based on the RISE model (Resilient in Schools and Educators). Her curriculum resulted in amazing growth in her students on classroom assessments. Furthermore, Ashley works collaboratively with Special Education teachers on her campus to ensure the curriculum is accessible and challenging for all her learners. Her inclusive strategies are used throughout Greenbrier Middle School. And just to give her students an extra layer of support, she volunteers many unpaid hours in her school’s after school tutoring program.

Student success is the driving factor of much of Ashley’s energy. Each year, she assists in the coordination of the Greenbrier Games, an Olympic-style event that gets students excited about upcoming testing. She also decorates floats for family and community night, and sends encouraging pre-testing videos to staff, students, and families. She organizes “Walk in My Shoes” nights, during which fifth graders come to the school to meet teachers, tour the school, and learn more about their upcoming middle school transition.

In addition to her work with youngsters, Ashley mentors first-year teachers, and she is an active member of the district’s leadership team, curriculum committee, and literacy Professional Learning Community (PLC).

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arkansas Tech University in 2018.