Tag Archives: History Teachers

Teacher Carter Godwin Woodson: The Father of Black History

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Carter Godwin Woodson, the American school teacher who created Black History Month, an annual celebration of the many outstanding contributions African Americans have made to our country. Photo credit: Public Domain

This February, educators all over the country are sharing Black History Month with their students. The observance is an annual celebration of the many important  contributions African Americans have made to American society. But did you know that Black History Month, itself, was the brainchild of a brilliant African American teacher?

Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950)  is credited with organizing and advocating annual Black History Month celebrations in American schools, starting in 1926. Certainly this is an admirable accomplishment in and of itself, but there is so much more to learn about this outstanding educator.

Did you know that, as a youngster, Carter was forced to work on the family farm rather than attend school? Nevertheless, he taught himself to read using the Bible and local newspapers. He didn’t finish high school until he was 20 years old. Did you know that he once worked as a coal miner in Fayette County, West Virginia, and then later went back there to teach school to the children of Black coal miners, serving as a personal role model for using education as a means to get out of the mines? And did you know that Carter taught school in the Philippines, and then became the supervisor of schools, which included duties as a trainer of teachers, there?

This Chalkboard Champion was one of the first to study African American history, to collect data, oral histories, and documents, and to publish his findings in a scholarly magazine he published, The Journal of Negro History. For these accomplishments, and many more, Carter Godwin Woodson has been called the “Father of Black History.”

To read more about this fascinating historical figure, check out the chapter I have written about him in my first book, Chalkboard Champions.

Teacher Anthony Gonzales garners 2022 Humanities Texas Award

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History teacher Anthony Gonzales from San Antonio, Texas, has garnered a 2022 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Photo Credit:

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have earned accolades for their work with young people. One of these is Anthony Gonzales, a history teacher from San Antonio, Texas. He has garnered a 2022 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award from Humanities Texas.

Anthony has been teaching history John Marshall High School in the Northside Independent School District for the past nine years. During these years, he created and inaugurated the Mexican American Studies (MAS) course, which offers the students the opportunity to study their own experiences and discuss topics they feel may be overlooked in a traditional history class, explains Anthony. “MAS students improve their critical thinking, analytical, and leadership skills because the course provides the opportunity to explore ideas relatable to those students,” he continues. The course is so popular that it has been expanded to other high schools throughout the state.

In addition to the MAS course, Anthony also runs a popular after-school program, the Mexican American Studies Student Association (MASSA), an enrichment program which explores the literature, art, music, current events, and cultural events of the Mexican American community. The participants even participate in community service projects.

And as if all this were not enough, Anthony serves his school as the faculty advisor for the Academic Decathlon team. Under his expert leadership, Marshall High has garnered five regional championships and placed in the top three in state-level competition twice.

The Humanities Award includes $5,000 for the honoree and an additional $1,000 for his school to purchase instructional materials.

Oregon’s Gwen Bartlett earns 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year award

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High school social studies teacher Gwen Bartlett has earned a 2023 Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: The News Review

There are many excellent educators that work in our nation’s schools. One of these is Gwen Bartlett, a high school social studies teacher from Oregon. She has been named a 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year.

Gwen, who first considered a career in journalism, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. After her college graduation, she took a job at a public relations and marketing company. But after doing volunteer work with young people during the summer, she became interested in a career as a teacher. So she went back to school, earning a Master’s degree in Education from Portland State University.

Gwen launched her career as an educator in 1998 when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Oregon. She still works there today. She currently teaches US History and Advanced Placement US History. She says she strives to make her classroom a safe space for dialogue and discussion, she attempts to make the past relevant to students today.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Gwen has also been her school’s Head Track and Field Coach for six years. Gwen says that track was an important part of her high school and college experiences, and it’s important to her to share that with her students.

The Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year awards honor exemplary educators in every region of the state. Candidates are recognized as being exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled public school educators in grades Pre-K through 12. A total of 16 teachers have been selected from across the state of Oregon to receive the honor. In addition to the recognition, Gwen received a $1,000 cash prize.

To read more about Gwen Bartlett, click on this link to an article about her published by the Douglas Education Service District.

CA educator and highly-decorated veteran Ernest Robles

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California educator Ernest Robles also served as a highly-decorated veteran in the Korean War. Photo Credit: Legacy.com

Many excellent classroom teachers have also served their country as military veterans. One of these was Ernest Robles, a California educator who was also a highly-decorated Marine in the Korean War.

Ernest was born on Feb. 16, 1931, in Pirtleville, Arizona. As a young man, he lettered in football. After high school, Ernest served his country in the US Marines, where he saw combat in the Korean War. While there, he earned a Bronze Star, a Navy Commendation Medal of Valor, and a Purple Heart.

Once he was discharged from the military, Ernest earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Los Angeles. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. After completing his education, Ernest spent many years teaching school, working as a school counselor, and serving as a principal and administrator in the Riverside School District in Riverside. Later, he moved to San Francisco where he accepted a position as an Assistant Regional Administrator for Equal Educational Opportunities in the US Office of Education.

Ernest also supported education by founding the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Starting the effort out of his own home in 1975, he headed the organization for more than 20 years, distributing $30,000 in scholarships in the first year alone. Over the next 20 years, the Fund distributed a total of $31 million to more than 30,000 outstanding college students. Under his direction, the scholarship fund was named the Nation’s Best Fund Charity by Worth magazine in 1987. His legacy continues even today, as the Fund has now awarded $50 million in scholarships.

For his contributions to the Hispanic community, Ernest was honored at the White House by President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, and First Lady Hillary Clinton. He has also received the Education Leadership Award from the College Board and the Hispanic Higher Education Award from the National Hispanic Corporate Council. In addition, he was named one of the “100 Influential Hispanics in the United States” by Hispanic Magazine.

After his retirement from education, Ernest enjoyed traveling, reading, and cheering on his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. Sadly, Ernest passed away on Sept. 5, 2022. He was 91 years old.

Former LA teacher Dustin LaFont established, directs work force development program

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Former Louisiana History teacher Dustin LaFont established and directs Front Yard Bikes, a work force development program for young people. Photo Credit: Neighborhood Works America

Recently I stumbled across a story on CNN about a former Louisiana history teacher named Dustin LaFont. He established and directs Front Yard Bikes, a work force development program for young people in Baton Rouge.

Dustin, a participant in the nation’s AmeriCorp program, earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and his Master’s degree in Teaching, both from Louisiana State University. After earning his degrees, he taught sixth grade history and also served as a tutor with City Year Baton Rouge. As a public school teacher in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, Dustin witnessed first-hand how desperately the young people in his classroom needed a safe after-school space. And he knew from personal experience how crucial early support and intervention is. Through helping kids fix and build bicycles, Dustin saw all the opportunities to help meet those needs. That’s what led him to change the direction of his career.

The former teacher’s work with kids and bicycles was launched when a friend asked him to help a youngster fix his broken bicycle. The boy carried his badly damaged bike over to Dustin’s house. Dustin took one look at the bike, and said the thing was beyond hope. But he had another old bike which the two could work on together, right there in the front yard. Before long, kids were coming in droves to Dustin’s front yard, all seeking help to repair their bikes. The ultimate result was the nonprofit program Front Yard Bikes. After relocating to a run-down, abandoned, low-rent factory building, the youngsters quickly showed up, asking for help with building their own bicycles. Through the process, they learn real-world skills such as mechanics, welding, and cycling safety. And they also receive mentoring, academic support, and job training opportunities.

Dustin’s work with young people has earned him national attention. In addition to the CNN story, he was a featured TEDxLSU speaker, awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award, earned the Baton Rouge Business Reports 40 under 40, and received the Dorothy Richardson Award in Chicago.

Kudos, Dustin!