Tag Archives: English Teachers

CA educator Efrain Tovar uses “translanguaging” strategies in his Newcomers class

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Many outstanding educators are working diligently to help recent immigrants to the United States learn how to function fluently in the English language. But some of the best are those that encourage these students to simultaneously develop their proficiency in their native languages. One of these is Efrain Tovar, an English as a Second Language teacher at Abraham Lincoln Middle School in Selma, located in Fresno County in California.

Efrain creates a vibrant classroom community for “newcomers,” the moniker given to recently-arrived immigrant students who have limited proficiency in English. In his class, students come from a wide range of countries, including Mexico, Yemen, India, Egypt, Guatemala, and others. Efrain uses this ethnic diversity not only to create a safe and welcoming space for learning, but also to further develop and personalize each student’s English language learning curriculum.

Efrain is an advocate for Ann instructional process known as “translanguaging,” the practice of encouraging the student to use their existing linguistic backgrounds and heritages to master new academic content and, ultimately, to be able to move fluently between two or more languages. Studies have shown that when English language learners are given consistent opportunities to practice their home languages in class, their English proficiency flourishes—along with their sense of belonging and identity. “The goal is to be bilingual and bi-literate so that you’ll not only be a contributing citizen, but also be a bridge maker when you speak multiple languages with multiple communities,” explains Efrain.

You can watch this amazing educator at work and hear what his student have to say about him, in the video above. To learn more about studies in translanguaging, you can read this article detailing an explore 2011 study about English language learners and academic achievement. You can also access this article published in 2023 by EdSource which describes why bilingual students do better on tests than native English speakers.

Lillian Lowery completed a remarkable career in education

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Former English teacher Lillian Lowery logged many accomplishments as an educator. Photo credit: Newark Post

I always enjoy sharing stories about teachers who have completed remarkable careers in the field of education. One of these is former English teacher Lillian Lowery.

Lillian was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from North Carolina Central University in 1976. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1978. She completed the requirements for her Ph.D. in Education and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Lillian inaugurated her teaching career as a middle school English teacher at Gaston County Schools in Gastonia. She also taught in schools in Alexandria, Virginia; Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, Virigina; and Fort Wayne Community School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With each new position, Lillian expanded her experience as an educator, serving as a high school English teacher, an assistant principal, a minority student achievement monitor, a principal, and an area coordinator.

In 2004, Lillian accepted a position as the Secretary of Education in Delaware, and then as the Superintendent of the Christina School District in Newark, Delaware. While living in that state, she also served as the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. Next she moved to Maryland, where she served as the Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education.

In September, 2015, Lillian became the first President and Chief Executive Officer of FutureReady Columbus, a non-profit specializing in early childhood education located in Columbus, Ohio. In March, 2017, she was appointed Vice President for PreK-12 Policy, Research, and Practice at The Education Trust, a national nonprofit working to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps in K-12 education. This organization is located in Washington, DC.

For her work as an educator, Lillian garnered many prestigious awards. In 2015, the National Association of State Boards of Education honored her as the “Policy Leader of the Year.” This honor is awarded annually to a national or state policymaker in recognition of significant contributions to education. Lillian has also garnered the Second Mile Award from the University of Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware’s Junior Achievement Award; the City of Fairfax Mayor’s Service Award; and the Outstanding Service Award from the City of Fairfax School Board.

During her career, Lillian served on the boards of several organizations, Delaware State University, edreports.org, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Her final appointment came when, in 2018, she became the Vice President of Student and Teacher Assessments for the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey.

Lillian retired in January, 2022, and, sadly, she passed away three months later, on April 13, 2022. She was 67 years old.

 

Ohio’s Aaron Taylor garners 2023 Difference Makers Award for his work in Holocaust education

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English teacher Aaron Taylor of Westerville, Ohio, garners one of eighteen 2023 Difference Makers Awards by the Columbus Jewish News for his work in Holocaust education. Photo credit: Westerville Schools

Congratulations to Aaron Taylor, an English teacher at Westerville North High School in Westerville, Ohio, who has been named one of 18 Difference Makers for 2023 by the Columbus Jewish News. The annual award honors individuals whose efforts have had a significant impact on the Jewish community in Central Ohio.

For the past two years, Aaron has been involved in a Holocaust education task force sponsored by his synagogue. The group examines how the Holocaust is taught in local schools and what resources are available to help educators teach the subject accurately and effectively. During the summer, the task force hosted its first Holocaust education seminar which was attended by nearly 50 teachers from twelve Central Ohio districts. The event provided participants with online resources and lessons they could use to teach lessons about modern-day antisemitism.

“Aaron has made a huge impact by raising awareness about Holocaust texts and perspectives in our teaching and learning communities,” says Curriculum Specialist Dr. Jill Williams of Westerville City Schools. “He brings this amazing genuine openness to intersectional conversations that makes people really want to jump in and learn more, no matter where they are with their understanding.”

This year’s other recipients of the Difference Makers Award include business executives, community volunteers, and public school and college educators. One honoree is a Holocaust survivor who has served on several civic and Jewish organizations and who has shared his personal story throughout Columbus.

“While their contributions may differ in scope and focus, our 18 Difference Makers share a common thread: The unwavering belief that they can effect change, one step at a time,” asserts Keith Adelstein, President and CEO of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company. “Through their persistent efforts, they not only enhance the lives of those directly touched by their work, but also serve as inspiration for us all, reminding us of the transformative power we each possess,” Adelstein continued.

Aaron earned Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theater, Theater Design and Technology and Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Maryland in 2006. In a career that spans ten years, he has taught at Westerville North for five of them.

Dani Charbonneau named Massachusetts’ 2023 Teacher of the Year

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English teacher Danielle “Dani” Charbonneau of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

There are many exceptional educators throughout our country who have earned recognition for their work with young people. One of these is Danielle “Dani” Charbonneau, a high school teacher from Massachusetts who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Dani teaches English and Language Arts and courses in creative writing at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs. On her campus, she is the program co-ordinator and a teacher in the alternative program. This program, which serves students in grades 9—12, ensures that students have a school experience that includes a sense of belonging and an understanding of life beyond the island. Part of the program involves a retreat to a nearby Penikese, an uninhabited island, where students experience nature without the distractions of technology, electricity, and indoor bathrooms. Another part of the program includes a fundraiser for Chopped for Charity, a local food bank, and Island Lore Night, where students and community member present historical fiction and spooky stories and excursions to Boston.

As if all this were not enough, Dani also serves as the co-advisor of her school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance, a position she has held since 2018. She also helped create lessons in response to the murder of George Floyd and the resulting protests.

Dani earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Harvard University. She completed the requirements for a second Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University. She earned her Master’s degree in Education Leadership from the University of New England. Before becoming a teacher in 2004, Dani worked as an editor at CBS. In a career as an educator that spans 19 years, she has spent eight of them teaching in Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools.

 

Elem teacher Trinity Whittington named 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year finalist

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Elementary school teacher Trinity Whittington has been n Amed one of five finalists for the title of 2023 Floria Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Trinity Whittington, an elementary school teacher from Gilchrist County, Florida. She has been named one of five finalists for the title of 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year.

Trinity teaches English Language Arts and Social Studies to fourth graders at Bell Elementary School in the Gilchrist County School District. She has worked in this position for the past five years.

Trinity has obviously earned the respect of her colleagues. “Mrs. Whittington’s classroom is a place of magic, where children are hooked from the moment they enter until the moment they leave,” declares Bell Elementary Principal Suzanne Matte. “The relationships she develops with students, parents, and colleagues are true and binding.”

This exceptional educator focuses on creating engaging lessons that affect her students in positive ways. One of the ways she emphasizes community service is by leading school-wide efforts to provide blankets to the local nursing home. She has also established a library swap program to promote literacy.

It was her mother’s influence that caused her to pursue a career in education, says Trinity. “She has been a teacher for my entire life. I have seen firsthand the impact that she has been able to make on the children that she has been blessed to teach,” Trinity explains. “Mama has a true passion for teaching and working to better the lives of our children. I wanted to make that same impact on the students in our community,” she continued.

Trinity earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2017 from Saint Leo University, a private university located in St. Leo, Florida. She graduated summa cum laude.

Five finalists were chosen for 2023 Teacher of the Year from nearly 185,000 public school teachers nominated throughout the state. The finalists were selected on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service.