Tag Archives: Performing Arts Teachers

Maryland theater teacher Donald Leifert also a science fiction actor

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High school English and Theater Arts teacher Donald Leifert of Maryland earned some renown as an actor in science fiction and horror films. Photo Credit: who’s.com

It is often said that there is a certain amount of theatrics involved in teaching. This must be true to some degree, because there are many examples of talented educators who are also successful as actors. One of these is Donald Leifert, an English and Theater Arts instructor who also earned some renown as an actor in science fiction and horror films.

Donald was born on February 27, 1951, in Maryland, the son of Dolores J. and Donald L. Leifert, Sr. During the Viet Nam conflict, Donald served as a soldier in the US Army. As soon as he earned his honorable discharge from the army, he spent two years studying at the Douglas-Webber Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

Donald worked with independent film director Don Dohler in science fiction and horror films. He was cast in the role of the homicidal ghost in The Galaxy Invader, and then the contemptible lout Drago in Nightbeast, and also the good-for-nothing redneck Frank Custer in The Alien Factor.

Once Donald decided to change careers, he accepted a position teaching English and Theater Arts at the Carver School for the Arts in Baltimore County, Maryland. He later taught English and journalism at Dundalk High and Catonsville High and English and Theater Arts at Towson High School in Baltimore. In addition, Donald was a published author. He authored his biography, entitled Riggie: A Journey from 5th Street.

This exceptional educator passed away from a heart attack at the young age of 59 on October 23, 2010, in Parkland, Maryland. At his passing, this Chalkboard Champion was remembered fondly by his former students. “He always pushed his students to be their best, because he knew we were capable of it, even when we didn’t,” remembered former student Jennifer Wallace. “He was kind, funny, and stern when he needed to be,” she said. Other former students agree. “As a senior in high school he would allow me to teach his beginner acting class now and then,” commented former student Jessica Wentling. “He gave to me the love of teaching, a passion that I intend to continue pursuing,” she concluded.

Iowa’s Phyllis Love: Talented educator and successful actress

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Talented educator and former successful  actress Phyllis Love of Des Moines, Iowa. Photo credit: The New York Times

There are many fine educators who enjoyed success in the entertainment industry before they became classroom teachers. One of these was Iowa’s Phyllis Love, a movie and television actress who also taught Drama and English.

Phyllis was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 21, 1925. Her parents were both small business owners. Her father owned a food market and her mother owned and managed a small restaurant. As a youngster, Phyllis attended first Perkins Elementary School, then Callanan Junior High School, and finally Theodore Roosevelt High School, all in Des Moines. While in high school, one of Phyllis’s close friends was actress Chloris Leachman.

Once she graduated from high school in 1944, Phyllis attended the School of Dramatic Arts at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. She earned her Bachelor’s degree there in 1948.

After college, Phyllis relocated to New York, where she honed her skills as an actress at the Actors Studio. Paul Newman and Marlon Brando were her classmates. Her talent earned her roles on Broadway and in the movies. She performed in The Rose Tattoo (1950), The Country Girl (1950), The Friendly Persuasion (1956), The Egghead (1957), A Distant Bell (1959), and Flowering Cherry (1959), and The Young Doctors (1961). She also performed in numerous roles on television, including appearances on Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The FBI, and Twilight Zone.

After Phyllis retired from acting in the 1970’s, she launched herself into her career as an educator. She taught Drama and English for 15 years at Morningside High School in Inglewood, California.

Sadly, in her later years, this talented educator and actress suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away on October 30, 2011, in Menifee, California. She was 85 years old. You can read her obituary, see this link to the New York Times.

NYC Performing Arts teacher Amanda Mendez garners Big Apple Award

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Performing Arts educator Amanda Mendez of New York City has garnered a 2025—2026 Big Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education. Photo credit: Rocket Reach

There are many outstanding teachers working in New York City public schools who are deserving of recognition. One of these is Amanda Mendez, a Performing Arts educator who teaches at The Bath Beach School. She has garnered a 202—2026 Big Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education.

Amanda teaches theater courses at Public School 163, a highly rated school located in Brooklyn. The facility serves students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

In addition to working with students in the classroom, Amanda is also the Program Director for the FIAO SONYC after school program in her building, she is a member of her school’s graduation committee, and she has collaborated in writing curriculum units for Theatre for the Office of Arts and Special Projects Office.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts with a Minor in Psychology from City University of New York, Staten Island. She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Theater from the same university in 2018.

The Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate New York City teachers who inspire students to be their best selves, dream, and advocate for their future; model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students; affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius; and enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations.

 

CA Physical Education and Dance educator Christina Hofstetter nominated for 2025-2026 LifeChanger of the Year Award

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High school Physical Education and Dance teacher Christina Hofstetter has been named one of 74 nominees for the 2025-2026 LifeChanger of the Year Award. Photo credit: National Life Group

I am always excited to share the news that a hardworking educator has earned accolades for the work they do in public school classrooms, especially one who works in my home town. Today, I get to share the news that Christina Hofstetter, a teacher in Chino Hills, California, has been named one of 74 nominees for the 2025-2026 LifeChanger of the Year Award distributed by the National Life Group.

The prestigious award recognizes educators who exemplify excellence, leadership, and positive influence  in their school community. The winner of the award will garner a $20,000 grand prize, to be shared with the school, and several smaller prizes.

Christina teaches Physical Education and Dance at Ruben S. Ayala High School in Chino Hills, her high school alma mater. She has taught at the school since 2013. In her dance courses, she empowers students to take ownership of their learning by encouraging them to choose their own dance styles, concepts, and music. One of Christina’s crowning achievements is an annual Spring Dance Concert, where her students showcase their own performances, choreography, and direction. The event is so popular that more that 250 dancers participate each year.

“I hope that I give them inspiration to continue dancing and not be afraid of dancing,” declares Christina. “I hope that they find…that when they look back at the dance program [they] think of it as a safe space, a place that they could truly be themselves,” she continues.

In addition, this amazing educator serves as the advisor for several on-campus clubs, including the Find Kind Club, which recently organized a prom for special-needs students. She also serves as the Chair of the Performing Arts Department, mentors colleagues, works on the master schedule, and co-ordinates professional development.

To learn more about Christina Hofstetter, click on this link to an article about her published on the website of the National Life Group.

AK performing arts teacher Kelly Rentz named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

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High school performing arts teacher Kelly Rentz has been named Alaska’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Stetson University

There are many stellar teachers in our nation’s public schools, and every year, one from each state earns Teacher of the Year honors. One of these is Kelly Rentz, a performing arts teacher in Alaska. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Kelly teaches choir, drama, and Advanced Placement Music Theory at Colony High School (CHS) in Palmer, Alaska. She also serves as the Director of her school’s Drama Department; in fact, she has been the Director of Choirs and Drama at the campus since 2018. Furthermore, she founded a chapter of Tri-M, the National Honor Music Society and is the advisor for the National Thespian Society on her campus. She also serves as President of the Board of Directors for Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla, Alaska,.

As if all that were not enough, Kelly has coached color guard for the CHS Marching Band, The Northern Sound. The group has performed in the prestigious Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 75th Anniversary D-Day Memorial Parade in France, and the 2015 Bands of America Grand Nationals, where the group was awarded the Albert J. Castronova Esprit de Corps Award for “pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, camaraderie and unity of purpose.”

The honored educator says she encourages her students to involve themselves with the arts in their community. Her students take lead roles in large–scale community productions that she has directed, including Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Misérables. She says her students often volunteer to perform for charitable events.

Kelly confesses that her goal of becoming a teacher started back when she was still a child. “I loved playing teacher in my mom’s class after school with my friends,” she reveals. “I always knew I would become a teacher, and I always knew it would be music that I taught,” she continued.

Kelly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, in 1989.