Tag Archives: Immigrants

Contemplating the nature of the “soup school”

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While I was in the process of conducting research for my first book Chalkboard Champions, I learned about many types of schools that I had never heard about in the 36 years of my career as a professional educator. Industrial schools, emancipation schools, freedom schools, farm schools, normal schools. Where were all these terms when I went through student teaching? I was particularly intrigued by the concept of the “soup school.” What was that all about, I wondered?

I learned that a “soup school” was an institution established during periods of pronounced immigration to our country. Their purpose was to provide assistance to immigrant children as they struggled to assimilate within a new, dominant culture. Often times these schools were founded by charitable organizations or missionary societies. Because of the population served by a “soup school,” it makes sense that these institutions were located primarily near areas of immigrant entry. New York City, for example. The main curriculum in these facilities was instruction in the English language, basic literacy skills, and indoctrination to the American culture. Apparently, the school got its name from the fact that at noontime a bowl of soup was served to the students, a free meal which would have been most welcome to the poorest of immigrants.

In contemplating this practice, I’m wondering if our nation’s free lunch program would be considered a modern version of the “soup school”?

You can read more about soup schools in my book Chalkboard Champions, available on amazon.

Wyoming’s Chris Bessonette: A 2018 Milken Award Honoree

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So many wonderful teachers out there! This one is Chris Bessonette, a second grade teacher from Wyoming, who was named a 2018 Milken Award winner. Chris teaches second grade dual immersion at K-5 Munger Mountain Elementary School in Jackson, Wyoming.

As a teacher, Chris understands the challenges faced by his immigrant students and their parents, and he advocates for them tirelessly. In addition to learning Spanish in order to better communicate with his learners, this chalkboard champion tutors, attends soccer games and concerts, and works towards connecting families with community resources. Also, he’s famous for his positive outlook!

Chris team-teaches with a Spanish-language teaching partner. Since the pairing, the talented teacher has seen a 20% increase in his students’ state assessments in a single quarter! His lessons are data-driven, and focus on vocabulary development, a skill critical to ensuring his students’ academic success. In addition, Chris has been the leader of a collaborative effort with the University of Wyoming to pilot a new vocabulary initiative to be used in all of his school district’s second-grade dual-immersion classes. 

Chris earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Graceland University in 1998, and his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wyoming in 2011.

The Milken Educator Awards, which Teacher magazine has described as the “Oscars of Teaching,” has been honoring exceptional educators over three decades. Only 40 Milken Awards are given out each year, and this year Chris Bessonette is the only recipient from Wyoming. In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 top teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who are dedicated to strengthening education. 

Way to go, Chris!

Washington’s Mandy Manning named 2018 National Teacher of the Year

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Mandy Manning

Mandy Manning of Spokane, Washington, named the 2018 National Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to exemplary educator Mandy Manning of Spokane, Washington, who has been named the 2018 National Teacher of the Year.

Mandy teaches English to newly-arrived immigrant students in the Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane.

As 2018 National Teacher of the Year, Mandy says she would like to encourage educators to teach their students to overcome their fears and seek out new experiences. “Let’s teach our students to be fearless,” she declares. “Let’s teach them to be brave when confronted with uncertainty. Brave when they fail. Brave in meeting new people. Brave in seeking opportunities to experience things outside of their understanding,” she continues.

In her classroom, Mandy designs lessons that help her students process trauma, celebrate their home countries and culture, and learn about their new community.Mandy says she makes it a priority to create connections between her students and the community inside and outside of the school. She has invited district leaders, campus resource officers, community members of color, and professional writers to visit her classroom. These visits help her students learn cultural expectations and how to express themselves effectively. In return, her students teach these leaders where they come from, who they are, and the contributions they make to the community.

“All of us together make this world interesting and good. We must teach our students to overcome their fears and seek out new experiences. The only way to teach fearlessness is to show it. We must show kindness by getting to know our students, learning about them, and showing them how to connect,” Mandy asserts.

Mandy earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University, her Master’s degree from West Texas A & M University, and a second Master’s degree from Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. In addition, Mandy is a National Board Certified Teacher. This amazing educator inaugurated her career in the teaching profession when she worked for the Peace Corps in Armenia in 1999. She then spent several years working as a teacher and assistant teacher in schools in Japan and across the U.S. Mandy has taught for the past 19 years, seven of which have been in her current position.

In addition to recognition as the 2018 National Teacher of the Year, Mandy has earned the National Education Association Foundation’s California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence in 2017 and the Kim Plemons Leadership Award from the Spokane Education Association in 2015.

Ivonne Orozco: New Mexico’s 2018 Teacher of the Year

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Ivonne Orozco

Spanish teacher Ivonne Orozco from Albuquerque named New Mexico’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

When she was only 12 years old, Ivonne’s family immigrated to the United States from Mexico. She started school in the US as an English-language learner, but by the time she reached high school, she was enrolled in honors courses. She also ran cross country and track, and graduated in the top 10% of her class. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of New Mexico  “But I did not get here alone,” Ivonne concedes. “I had teachers and family that set core foundations along my journey that contributed to my success. These included high expectations, staying the course, building a strong voice, and valuing “teachers and education,” she describes.

After her college graduation, Ivonne garnered a position as a Spanish teacher at Public Academy for Performing Arts in Albuquerque. She is in her fourth year there. “Every day in my classroom, I keep in mind that all students can be successful, no matter where they traveled from to get here in the morning, or how much money their parents have, or how much they still have to learn. I keep my expectations high,” Ivonne declares. “It’s unclear why there’s still a misconception out there that students facing challenges at home can’t succeed at school. That is false,” she asserts. “Lowering standards for any of our kids is a disservice. They deserve high-quality standards, options, and teachers,” she concludes.

Ivonne is committed to creating interactive, challenging lessons for all students. She has worked with a team of teachers from across New Mexico to revise blueprints for state level Spanish End of Course exams. She also contributes to an effort to reduce LGBTQ adolescent suicide. In addition, Ivonne is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Secondary Education with a focus on Reflective Practice.

 

Chalkboard Champion Mary Gannon: The teacher with no arms

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Teaching in a classroom filled with fifth-graders is already a difficult, but one chalkboard champion from Lakewood, Ohio, faces an extra challenge. Teacher Mary Gannon was born without her arms.

As a young child, Mary lived in an orphanage in Mexico City. When she was seven years old, she was adopted by American parents who brought her to this country. When she arrived, she spoke no English. Mary said growing up in an orphanage gave her a desire to help and teach kids. “Sometimes I even forget that I don’t have arms because my students don’t treat me any differently,” Mary declared. Now an adult, Mary teaches math and science at Harding Middle School  in the small Ohio city of Lakewood, located near Cleveland.

This amazing educator said she decided to share her story to show everyone that anything is possible. View her story in the video below. It’s a few years old, but the story is timeless.