Tag Archives: Jewish American teachers

Julia Richman: Educator, philanthropist, author, and social reformer

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Julia Richman: Educator, philanthropist, author, and social reformer, at age 19. Photo credit: Public Domain

Just about everyone agrees that a teacher can profoundly influence the lives of the students in his or her classroom. But Julia Richman, an educator, philanthropist, author, and social reformer from New York City, influenced the lives of students in an entire city.

Julia was born October 12, 1855, in New York City, the daughter of German-speaking Jewish immigrants from the Czech Republic. At a young age, Julia made some important decisions about her own future. “I am not pretty…and I am not going to marry,” she once declared, “but before I die, all New York will know my name.”

Julia was determined to become a teacher, a decision her very traditional father vehemently opposed. In the late 1800’s, an eighth grade education was considered sufficient for girls. However, after a protracted battle royal, Julia convinced her father to allow her to pursue her goal of becoming a professional educator. In 1872, Julia realized her dream when she graduated from Hunter College.

Over the next four decades, Julia worked tirelessly as a classroom teacher, principal, school superintendent, and social reformer. Inside the classroom and within her community, she improved the lives of countless newly arrived immigrants, special needs students, and delinquents: the children 19th-century society typically considered “throwaway kids.” This innovative educator tossed away the conventional methods of instruction of her day, and designed model programs that educators from all over the world came to observe. She instituted numerous progressive practices that are still used in public schools today.

When Julia passed away in 1912, the New York City Board of Education ordered the flags of all NYC public schools be flown at half mast in her honor. It appeared that Julia’s prediction as an eleven-year-old had come true: all New York City knew her name.

Want to learn more about Julia Richman? I’ve written an entire chapter about this amazing educator in my book, Chalkboard Champions, available on amazon or bn.com. Available in print or ebook versions.

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.

Former science teacher Lisa Niver to release her book, Brave-ish

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Lisa Niver, a former junior high school science teacher from Los Angeles, California, is a podcaster, sought-after motivational speaker, travel agent, and travel writer. In fact, she has been recognized as one of the top five female travel bloggers. And now, the former teacher is a published author. Her new book, entitled Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless after Fifty, is due to be released on Sept 19, 2023, and is currently on pre-order. To view a five-minute video with Lisa where she discusses her book, click on this link: https://fox5dc.com/video/1265427

Brave-ish chronicles Lisa’s expeditions to far-flung corners of the world, including Vanuatu, Nepal, Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya, and Mongolia. But her book is more than a travelogue. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires readers to nourish big dreams, take risks, and embrace the unknown in order to create an exciting and wonder-filled life, even when courage seems elusive.

Lisa has published many articles in online and in print magazines, including National Geographic, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, and The Jewish Journal. She was a 2012 nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. In 2018, she was nominated in three categories of the Southern California Journalism Awards: Science/Technology Reporting; Travel Reporting; and Personality Profile. To learn more about unique travel experiences, check out Lisa’s website at We Said Go Travel.

As for Lisa’s former career as an educator, she is well-known in science teacher circles for her instructional strategies that emphasize the use of technology in the classroom. She’s also noted for using students’ real world connections to explore their passions, and for teaching them to work towards solving today’s most complex issues. In 2009, Lisa founded the Los Angeles Science Teachers Network (LASTN),  a professional development network that by May, 2012, involved over 70 teachers and 40 schools. The effort was praised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Detroit teacher Regina Weiss elected to Michigan State House of Reps

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Former secondary level Social Studies and English teacher Regina Weiss of Detroit now serves in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Michigan State House of Representatives

Many fine educators have also served their community in public office. One of these is Regina Weiss, a secondary level school teacher from Detroit, Michigan.

Regina was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 2009 she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education from Valparaiso University, a private institution of higher learning located in Valparaiso, Indiana. She relocated to Detroit, where she accepted a position teaching Social Studies and English. She taught there for five years. She taught two and a half years at Pershing High School, and two and a half years she taught at Carstens Elementary-Middle School at Remus Robinson.

Reina inaugurated her career in public service when she was elected to be a member of the Oak Park City Council in 2017. In November, 2020, she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Michigan State House of Representatives, where she has represented the 27th House District since Jan. 1, 2021. In November, 2022, following redistricting, Regina was re-elected to the House, this time representing the 6th District. There she serves as a member of the Jewish Democratic Caucus, and as the Chairperson of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. As Chairperson, Regina has declared that her committee will prioritize developing a system to fund school infrastructure improvements. “As a former educator, I’ve seen first-hand the impact decades of inadequate funding has had on our classrooms,” Regina says. “And that was even before the COVID-19 placed challenge after challenge before our students and teachers,” she continued.

To read more about Regina Weiss, click on this link to her Michigan State House webpage.

Former NYC English teacher Arlene Stringer was a trailblazer

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Former New York City English teacher Arlene Stringer was a trailblazer. She is pictured here reading to her grandson, Max. Photo credit New York Post

Many excellent classroom teachers have also served their communities as capable politicians. One of these was Arlene Stringer-Cuevas, a Jewish schoolteacher also served on the New York City Council.

Arlene was born Sept. 25, 1933. Her first husband was Ronald Stringer, an assistant to New York City Mayor Abraham Beame. When that marriage ended, Arlene raised her two boys in Washington Heights as a single mother. Once she earned her degrees, Arlene taught at a public school in the Bronx. She also instructed courses in English as a Second Language at the local Y.

Like many members of her family, Arlene expressed an interest in politics. She ran for and was elected as the District Leader for her Democratic Party, a trailblazing role she served in from 1969 to 1976. She was elected to the New York City Council, where she served from 1976 to 1977. In fact, she was the first woman to represent Washington Heights. “I used to follow her around to all her meetings,” remembers her son, Scott Stringer. “More than once, she was asked by some man in the room why she wasn’t home with her husband. In signature fashion, she’d respond, ‘I don’t have a husband,'” he continued. “And then she’d outsmart, out-humor, and simply outdo all of them—no matter what they were doing,” he concluded.  Later, Arlene worked for their New York City Human Resources Administration for 16 years, until her retirement in 1994.

In her final years, she was married to the former City Clerk and Deputy Bronx Borough President Carlos Cuevas. The two divided their time between New York City and Puerto Rico. Sadly, Arlene succumbed to Covid-19 on April 3, 2020. She was 86 years old. At the time of her passing, her son Scott Stringer was serving as New York City’s Comptroller.