Tag Archives: Language Arts Teachers

Teachers who specialized in Language Arts.

Kimberly Johnson named Alabama’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year

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Kimberly Johnson, a junior high school teacher from Auburn, Alabama, has been named her state’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit; The Anniston Star

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Kimberly Johnson, a junior high school teacher from Auburn, Alabama. She has been named her state’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year.

Kimberly works at Auburn Junior High School as an interventionist and study skills teacher for at-risk eighth and ninth grade students. The honored educator says she strives to get students involved and interested in their coursework by using a student-centered approach. Her approach involves giving students options and holding them accountable when it comes to their schoolwork. Kimberly believes one of the most important aspects of her teaching is showing students that she cares. “Relationships are first, and then you can get students to do hard things,” she asserts. Once those relationships are established, she says, then she can create a safe space where they can work through any issues they may face.

Kimberly’s career as a professional educator began in 1998 and has spanned 23 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Alabama, and her Master’s degree in English and Language Arts Education from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. She also completed the requirements for a degree as a Specialist in Education in English Language Arts Education from Auburn University.

As the Alabama Teacher of the Year, Kimberly will serve as a full-time ambassador for the teaching profession for one year. She will spend this time speaking to civic and professional organizations, PK-12 schools, colleges and universities; conducting workshops for teachers; and writing newspaper and magazine articles.

Congratulations, Kimberly!

 

Lorynn Guerrero named New Mexico’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations to high school English teacher Lorynn Guerrero, who has been named New Mexico’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.  Photo Credit: New Mexico Public Education Department

Congratulations are due to Lorynn Guerrero, a high school Language Arts teacher from Las Cruces, New Mexico. She has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Lorynn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English/Language Arts from New Mexico State University in 2005. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program in Education Administration at Eastern New Mexico University, and will graduate in 2022. In addition, she is certified in teaching Advanced Placement in literature and composition from New Mexico Highland University and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Eastern New Mexico University.

Lorynn, who was raised in Las Cruces, inaugurated her teaching career in 2006 in Hatch, where she taught both middle and high school students. She joined Las Cruces Public Schools in 2012, first teaching at Organ Mountain High.

Currently, Lorynn Guerrero teaches English to high school students at the New America School Las Cruces, a charter high school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She also coaches teen parents in a GRADS (graduation, reality, and dual-role skills) course. Approximately 150 traditional high school students are enrolled in the New America School, who attend from 8:45 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. The charter high school also serves adults from ages 18 to 22, who attend classes from 5:30 pm through 8:30 pm and can earn a high school diploma.

“Ms. Guerrero is an outstanding teacher,” asserts New American School principal Margarita Leza Porter. “Her increased level of rigor, the setting of high expectations, and continual reflection on her teaching sets her apart from other educators,” Porter continues.

For her work in the classroom, Lorynn has earned many accolades. In 2021, as a member of the New America School staff, she was named the Champions of Children award by Jardin de Los Niños. In 2017, she was nominated for an Educators for Excellence by Tu Revista Latina magazine. Her first nomination for Teacher of the Year came in 2008, while she was teaching at Hatch Middle School.

 

Educator Marilyn Pryle named PA’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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High school English teacher, author, and public speaker Marilyn Pryle has been named Pennsylvania’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Marilyn Pryle.

Many outstanding teachers from all over the country have been recognized for their talent in the classroom. One of these is Marilyn Pryle, a high school Language Arts educator from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Currently, Marilyn teaches at Abington Heights High School, where she has worked for the past 11 years. The school is a highly rated, public school located with an enrollment of 1,075 students in grades 9-12. The student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. Previously, Marilyn taught in Boston and Philadelphia. But she inaugurated her professional career in Kathmandu, Nepal, where for two years she worked as a Jesuit International Volunteer. Inall, her career as an educator has spanned 20 years.

In addition to her work in the classroom, has authored seven books for educators on the subject of teaching reading handwriting. She frequently presents at local, state, and national conferences. And, as if all that were not enough, this indefatigable teacher is also an organizer of the Scranton English Conversation Group, a community outreach program for local refugees.

“We’ve all heard that teaching is the profession that creates all other professions, and this is of course true,” asserts Marilyn. “I’d like to go a step further than that. Teaching is the profession that creates the very character of our culture. Teaching is the profession that creates the fabric of our discourse as a nation. Teaching is the profession that creates the conscience of our democracy,” she continues.

Marilyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (1991) and her Master’s degree in Reading Education (1997), both at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. She also completed a Master’s in Fine Arts program with an emphasis in Creative Writing at Emerson College in 2000. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Wilkes University in 2020. In addition, she is a National Board Certified Teacher.

To read more about Marilyn Pryle, click on this link to her website.

Veteran and educator Darren Rainey is devoted to students

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US  veteran and educator Darren Rainey taught high school Language Arts in Delaware after he left the military. He continues to make his mark on the field of education. Photo credit: Teach for America

There are many fine educators who came to the classroom after serving our country in the military. One of these is Darren Rainey, a Language Arts teacher and Athletic Director in Wilmington, Delaware.

Darren deployed with the 4th Squadron, 9th US Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division to Afghanistan in 2013 and to the Republic of Korea in 2015. “I learned some of my toughest leadership lessons through deployments, rotations, and training exercises in this unit,” says Darren. “It was here where I learned the importance of leading through relationships and respecting an individual’s unique experiences.”

When Darren concluded his military career In 2017, he decided to become an educator. He served as the Athletic Director Director and taught Language Arts at the 8th, 9th, and 11th grade level at Freire Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware. “In the classroom, nothing is more rewarding than when a student has that ‘ah-ha’ moment during a lesson or when a kid who is usually quiet has that breakout moment in a class discussion,” asserts Darren.

Currently, Darren serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He also works as an Adjunct Professor on the Delaware campus of  the Relay Graduate School of Education. In addition, he serves as an Impact Leader with Profound Gentlemen, Inc., an organization that builds communities of male educators of color who provide a profound additional impact on the communities they serve.

Darren was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Hampton University for his undergraduate studies and earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

To learn more about Darren, click on this link to an article he wrote published by Teach for America.

 

Amanda Hargreaves named South Dakota’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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South Dakota’s Amanda Hargreaves has been named as her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. She teaches at Mitchell Middle School in Mitchell, South Dakota. Photo credit: Dakota University.

I always enjoy sharing stories about talented educators that have been honored for their work in the classroom. One of these is Amanda Hargreaves, who has been named South Dakota’s 2021 State Teacher of the Year.

Amanda inaugurated her career as an educator in 2010 at Longfellow Elementary School. Although it was her first year of teaching, she established an anti-bullying program there. Currently, Amanda teaches science and Language Arts to sixth graders at Mitchell Middle School in Mitchell, South Dakota. She has taught there since 2011. In Amanda’s classroom, the emphasis is on establishing and nurturing relationships. Her “think outside the box” approach makes her classroom an innovative learning environment. The creative educator incorporates real-world situations and project-based learning in classroom lessons. An example of this is her “force and motion carnival.” For this carnival, students design and construct carnival games to demonstrate their understanding of Newton’s laws of motion.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Amanda serves on the Principal’s Cabinet Leadership Team and her school’s Spirit Committee. She also provides professional development opportunities for her colleagues frequently. And, like many teachers, Amanda offers her students after-school tutoring.

Despite the many challenges and frequent changes in teaching, Amanda is happy with her career choice. “Teaching is the most rewarding profession in the world. Even on my most challenging days, I can’t wait to go back the next day,” she declares.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Dakota State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Dakota.

To read more about this amazing educator, see this article published about her by Dakota University.