Tag Archives: Language Arts Teachers

Teacher Cara Lougheed named Michigan State’s 2019 Teacher of the Year

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Stoney Creek High School Language Arts teacher Cara Lougheed named Michigan State’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.

I enjoy sharing stories about educators that have earned accolades for their dedication and hard work in the classroom. One of these is Cara Lougheed, a high school Language Arts and Social Studies teacher from Michigan. She has been named her state’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.

Cara has taught in Rochester Community School District for the past 21 years. She inaugurated her career at Rochester High School in 1998, and then transferred to Stoney Creek High School when it opened in the Fall of 2001. She has taught Advanced Placement and remedial courses for students in the ninth through the twelfth grades.

“The most rewarding thing is getting through to kids, building those relationships, and helping kids see their potential when they don’t see it in themselves,” declared Cara. “Especially in my last 10 years, I have paid a lot more attention to young girls – helping them see that they can have an opinion,” she continued.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Cara has served on committees to design curriculum, improve school climate, and increase attendance. Over the past decade, she has mentored six student teachers from four different universities. She has also served as a building representative for her local teachers’ union and she has served as a delegate for the National Education Association.

Cara is also working on a myriad of other education-related projects. Currently, Cara is serving as a student intern and mentor liaison to Oakland University (OU). She is working collaboratively with the Michigan Program Network (MiPN) and TeachingWorks to improve and strengthen the teacher education program. In addition, Cara is an advisory member of OU’s Vision 20/20 committee, which solicits the input of classroom teachers in making improvements to teacher education.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see the story at this link: Bridge Magazine.

English educator Andee Reilly earns success as a novelist

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Andee Reilly, an instructor of composition at University of Hawaii and former high school  English teacher, has earned success as a novelist.

There are many examples of talented educators who have earned accolades in arenas outside of the classroom. One of these is Andee Reilly, an instructor of English who has earned success as a novelist.

Andee was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Following her graduation from Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, California, in 1988, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at California State University, Northridge. She earned a Master’s degree in English with a Creative Writing Option from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1999. In 2010, she completed the requirements for a second Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside, located in Riverside, California.

Educator and author Andee Reilly

After earning her teaching credential, Andee inaugurated her career as an educator as an English teacher at Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California. Her secret to teaching? “Be patient, be kind, and know what you’re talking about!” Andee advises.

After a few years at the high school level, Andee was hired to teach a course at Moorpark College. She taught additional courses at Pierce College and the College of the Canyons, until securing a position at California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI). While at SCUCI, Andee garnered a Maximus Award for outstanding teaching.

“I love being able to show my students that effective writing can be learned,” Andee confesses. “Most of us aren’t born with some mystical ability to string sentences together in an inspiring and exciting way on our first try. It’s a skill that takes hard work, patience, and perseverance,” she declares.

When Andee relocated to Hawaii, she accepted a position at the University of Hawaii, Maui College, where she currently teaches composition. “Many of my students are fresh from high school,” reveals Andee. “I constantly try to remind myself that the transition to college can be a little scary for some.,” she continues. “I do my best to be patient and understanding of their needs,” she concludes.

In addition to her classroom successes, the honored educator also enjoys success as a published novelist. Andee says that ever since she was a teenager, she has been a fan of the rock group the Rolling Stones, and their music has long served as an inspiration to her writing. In 2015, Andee published her first novel, Satisfaction. This entertaining book tells the story of Ginny Martin, a recent divorcee, who embarks on a road trip to attend every concert on the Rolling Stones’ North American tour. Along the way, Ginny learns more about herself than she expected.

You can find Andee’s book on amazon.com by clicking this link: Satisfaction. To visit her website, click www.andeereilly.com.

Sharon Nearby of NYC succumbs to coronavirus

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Sharon Nearby, and English and Language Arts teacher from Staten Island, New York, succumbed to the coronavirus on April 4, 2020.

With sadness, we recognize the passing of yet another dedicated educator who has succumbed to the coronavirus. Sharon Nearby, a teacher in New York City, passed away on April 4, 2020. She was 52 years old. Her passing came just days away from her 53rd birthday, which would have been on April 8.

Sharon was an English and Language Arts teacher at Barnes Intermediate School (I.S. 24) in Staten Island. She taught eight grade and sixth grade there for 27 years. The beloved educator was described as a spirited supporter of everything going on at IS 24. She was a leader in the Language Arts Department, fostering collaboration and mentoring new teachers. She reached out to students with disabilities or those having a difficult time at home, and was always there to applaud student performances at concerts and plays.

“She was a fantastic teacher,” Sharon’s husband, Jeff Nearby, recalled. “Her kids would come back to her and thank her to the point where we were walking through Disney World one day a few years ago, and one of her students sees her and runs up to her and starts hugging her, thanking her for putting her in the right direction and having her pursue English as her major in college.”  With a career that long, Sharon had taught literally thousands of students. “We couldn’t go anywhere on Staten Island without her running into somebody she knew. Whether it was staff in a doctor’s office or in a store, or anywhere,” Jeff commented.

To read more about Sharon, view this online article on silive.com.

Meghan Hatch-Geary named Connecticut State’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

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Meghan Hatch-Geary named Connecticut State’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to English teacher Meghan Hatch-Geary, who has been named the Connecticut State’s 2020 Teacher of the Year. Meghan teaches World Literature and Advanced Placement English Language Competition at Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls.

Meghan was raised in Meriden, Connecticut. After she graduated from Maloney High School, she enrolled in the Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. There she studied musical theater. Ten years later, she earned her Bachelor’s degree at Hunter College, where she majored in Black and Latino Studies. She also minored in English literature. Once she earned her degree, Meghan traveled to Ghana where she served as a volunteer teaching primary school. She also completed a stint as an outreach educator in Ecuador.  When she returned to the United States, she pursued a graduate degree in education from the University of New Haven.

The honored educator’s career at Woodland Regional has spanned 11 years. In that time, she has garnered recognition for her work with Woodland Worldwide, an extracurricular organization she founded to empower young women. Through the organization, the students develop their leadership skills through service projects that raise awareness about gender discrimination, media bias, and human traffricking. The projects benefit others both locally and globally.

“I’m fortunate to have maintained strong relationships with students, many of whom have graduated college and are pursuing careers centered on activism, social justice, service, and education,” Meghan declared. “I see the direct results of our impact not only in their choice of profession, but when they return to Woodland to present workshops, perform in our awareness-raising cabaret show, or speak to our classes,” she continued.

“Sometimes the most powerful and lasting lessons happen after school,” asserted Meghan. “Working with our students and watching them find and use their voices to take action in their lives and communities has been immeasurably rewarding. It is the reason I became a teacher, and the reason I believe teaching is the most powerful profession in the world,” she concluded.

To read more about Meghan, read this article published on Nov. 1 by the Connecticut Educators Association.

Middle school educator Anne Martin selected one of three VFW Teachers of the Year

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Middle school educator Anne Martin named one of three 2019 Teachers of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, also known as the VFW, named three stellar educators as their Teachers of the Year for 2018-2019. One of these is Anne Martin, a middle school teacher at Williams Middle School located in Tracy, California. Anne earned the distinction because of her dedication towards honoring America’s veterans.

Anne teaches seventh grade Language Arts and Social Studies. In a career that has spanned 24 years, this remarkable educator has used her experience as a Gold Star family member to help her students better understand the sacrifices made by America’s military. Anne’s work includes organizing school-wide campaigns to collect donations and thank you letters for deployed troops. She also coordinates the school’s annual Patriot Day celebration, which includes a patriotic door-decorating contest. In addition, the honored teacher oversees the school’s Associated Student Body elections, helping students to understand and navigate the democratic process.

Anne revealed that she began organizing military-related events and activities after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It was at that time that she encouraged her students to contribute to a “chain of thanks” to send to American soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The chains have been used at the local VFW Post during a Veterans Day celebration. Anne says activities like this give students opportunities to appreciate the sacrifices of others. “The fact that they’re here going to school is really a privilege because of the [men and women who served our country],” Anne declares.

“Students who are lucky enough to have teachers like Anne develop a deep sense of patriotism and understand the values and freedoms upon which our nation was founded,” expressed VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. “The VFW is honored to recognize the vital role America’s educators play in nurturing and encouraging the civic-minded leaders of tomorrow,” he continued.

Each year, the VFW names one elementary, one intermediate, and one high school teacher for their National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Bobbie Schamens, a fourth grade teacher at Meadowview Intermediate School in Sparta, Wisconsin, was named the elementary school winner. Kevin Wagner, an Advanced Placement History teacher at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was chosen to represent the high school level.

To learn more about these amazing educators, view the article at VFW.