Have you ever met a teacher named “The Big Action”? Well, students at Middle School 363 in the Bronx, New York, can say they have. This innovative and entertaining educator is Pedro Dones. He’s just been named a finalist for the coveted New York City Big Apple Award, one of the few from the Bronx that have every been recognized in such a big way.

Pedro has earned accolades for his creative instructional videos featuring his alter ego, The Big Action. He uses the videos to teach math concepts to his middle school students. He admits the students finds The Big Action far more interesting than Mr. Dones. “I asked the kids ‘who do you want to watch teach? Mr. Dones or The Big Action?’” Pedro says. “Mr. Dones got 12% and Big Action got 88%,” Pedro confesses.

In the videos, Pedro uses funny accents, wardrobe changes, and clever background props to capture the attention of the students. He also uses witty quips and sometimes calls out his students by name. “He makes it into a fun way, so we don’t be bored just listening to math,” describes student Lorley Pichardos.

For his instructional innovations, Pedro has been named a finalist this year for the New York City Big Apple Awards. The Big Apple Awards recognize full-time public school teachers in New York City. The honors celebrate teachers who demonstrate outstanding teaching practices, dedication to the profession, and hard work. Pedro was recently featured in a story aired on News 12 The Bronx. View the segment above.

Pedro earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Fordham University in 2006. He earned his Master’s degree in Special Education and Teaching from the City University of New York City College in 2013.

To view the videos created by Pedro on YouTube, see this link at Awesome Math Network.

Teacher, coach, principal, and theater sensation James Ellis of Ramona Middle School in La Verne, California.

Throughout our country, there are many dedicated educators who also exhibit talent in arenas outside the classroom. One of these is James Ellis, a junior high school educator who also participates in theatrical productions.

James has been interested in the theater ever since he was a young man. “What got me hooked was getting to put on another persona and living someone’s truth on stage while telling their story,” he asserts. Among his favorite roles are Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Lord Farquad in Shrek, and Gus Growltiger in Cats. He is currently working on his first Shakespeare production.

James was born to parents who were educators. He is the son of a fourth grade teacher and an economics professor. James was raised in Pawnee, a rural town in central Illinois that boasts a population of 2,300. His hometown was so small, there were no theaters, no stoplights, and no fast food joints. His high school had only 170 students, and his graduating class had only 36 students.

Once James graduated from high school, he enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication. He also honed his skills as a gymnast. Later he earned his Master’s degree at the University of La Verne in southern California.

After graduating from college, James relocated to the city of Covina in southern California, where he accepted a position coaching gymnastics. One of his students was a nationally ranked future Olympian. James also worked as a substitute teacher. In time, he was hired as a part-time teacher at San Dimas High School, where he taught mathematics. He impressed his supervisors so much that they offered him a position as ASB Director. During his eight years there, he added teaching drama and coaching cheerleading to his resume.

In 2006, James moved into administration when he accepted a position as an Assistant Principal of Ramona Middle School in La Verne. Four years later he became the principal of Gladstone Elementary in San Dimas, and in 2017 he returned to Ramona to lead the school as its principal. “You have to have a sense of humor to work at a middle school,” James declares. “We work hard and we laugh a lot. What more can someone ask for in a career?”

You can read more about the amazing James Ellis from this article published by La Verne Online.

Math educator Brian McLaughlin named Tennessee’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I love to write stories about teachers who have been honored for their hard work in the classroom. Today I get to write about math educator Brian McLaughlin, who has been named the Tennessee’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Brian said he was shocked when the announcement of his selection was made. The Teacher of the Year is usually selected from one of three Grand Division winners. But this year, the Tennessee Department of Education broke their tradition and selected a Teacher of the Year in addition to three Grand Division winners.

Brian’s passion for teaching was ignited at a very young age. When he was only 13, with his math teacher went out on maternity leave. With no substitute available, the student took on the role and taught the class. That experience inspired him to make teaching his life career. After his high school graduation, Brian enrolled at Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He earned his Master’s in Education from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee.

In a career that has spanned 11 years, Brian currently teaches Algebra, Honors Algebra, and AP Statistics at West High School in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. The school is located in a rural area with widespread poverty and homeless, and a large population of English language learners.

Brian’s philosophy of teaching focuses on an abstract perspective. He asserts this fosters creativity in problem-solving. By using this strategy, the innovative educator has earned Tennessee’s highest evaluation scores each year of his career. Most importantly, says Brian, is influencing students by reaching their hearts, and he is driven by a deep desire to ensure that each individual child’s personal needs are met. To this end, he uses a “destiny first” mindset, which he describes as centering curriculum and instruction around students’ career goals and ensuring that what they are doing in the classroom is relevant to achieving those goals.

Brian is also deeply invested in his community. He believes schools must collaborate with local government leaders and businesses to ensure that the world is preparing for his students at the same time his students prepare to impact the world.

To read more about Brian, see this link at CCSSO.

Robert Judson Aley, the rural schoolteacher who became a university president.

Many talented classroom teachers go on to prominent positions in institutions of higher learning. One of these is Robert Aley, a rural schoolteacher who became the president of two universities.

Robert Judson Aley was born in Coal City, Jefferson Township, Indiana, on May 11, 1863. Young Robert inaugurated his teaching career at the tender age of 14.

After three years of teaching in rural schools, Robert enrolled at Valparaiso University. Valparaiso is a private Lutheran university located in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana. There Robert earned his Bachelors degree in 1882. He earned his Masters degree from Indiana University in 1890. He also completed graduate courses at Stanford University. In 1897, he earned his Doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania.

After he earned his degrees, Robert accepted a position as a professor of mathematics at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. He worked there from 1888 to 1891. Then Robert served as the fifth president of the University of Maine. His tenure there ran for ten years, from Jan., 1911, to August 1921. A fervent supporter of United States involvement in World War I, Robert ordered mandatory attendance during pro-war events in and near the campus. He spent the next ten years as the president of Butler College in Indiana, from 1921 to 1931.

This amazing educator also became the author of several books. One of these is Contributions to the Geometry of the Triangle and the State Manual and Uniform Course of Study for the Elementary Schools of Indiana. He also published The Story of Indiana and Its People, co-authored with Max Aley.

Sadly, Robert Aley succumbed to pneumonia in 1935. He was 72 years old. To see additional information about Robert, click on this link to the University of Maine.