Tag Archives: School Counselors

Janice Faiks: Math teacher, school counselor, Alaska State Senator

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Jan Faiks

Alaska teacher and State Senator Jan Faiks worked with her llamas on her farm. (Photo Credit: Anchorage Daily News

Talented classroom teachers often go on to have successful careers in politics. One teacher who proves this to be true is Jan Faiks, a math teacher and school counselor who served in the Alaska State Senate.

Janice O. Faiks was born on November 17, 1945, at Mitchel Air Force Base in New York. As a young girl, she attended Choctawhatchee High School, where she graduated in 1964. After her high school graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Florida State University in 1967. She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in 1975.

After college, Jan taught mathematics and worked as a school counselor in the Anchorage School District. She worked there from 1968 to 1978. In addition to her work in the classroom, the educator was well known for operating a llama farm.

In 1982, Jan was elected to the Alaska State Senate on the Republican ticket. She served two terms, and became the first woman president of the Alaska State Senate. While there, her biggest claim to fame was that she was one of the key legislators to create the Constitutional Budget Reserve, a savings fund for surplus tax revenues that could be used in times of economic downturn.

After her service in the State Senate, Jan moved to Washington, DC, where she earned a law degree from Georgetown Law Center. She worked for several years as a Congressional staff member. She also served briefly as an assistant secretary with the Mine Safety and Health Administration at the US Labor Department. Finally, she became a lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). She retired in 2013.

After her retirement, Jan relocated to Amelia Island, Florida. There the former teacher was diagnosed with brain cancer, and five months later, she passed away on April 10, 2017. She was 71 years old. You can read her obituary at Anchorage Daily News.

Educator Phyllis Robinson also served in Texas House of Reps

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Texas schoolteacher and school counselor Phyllis Robinson served four terms in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Legislative Reference Library of Texas

During Women’s History Month, we honor the many excellent classroom teachers who have also served their communities in political and legislative positions. One of these is Phyllis Robinson, a Texas teacher and school counselor who was elected to her state’s House of Representatives.

Phyllis was born on Sept. 11, 1946, in the small town of Gonzales, Texas. As a young woman, she attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, where she earned her degree in 1967. She earned her Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1972. Once she earned her degrees, Phyllis worked diligently as a teacher and school counselor in her home town.

In 1982, Phyllis was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Texas State House of Representatives. In the Democratic primary, she garnered 63 percent of the vote, more than any of the three men who were running against her. With no Republican opposition in the general election, she handily won that election as well.

The first woman elected to represent rural District 31 in that body, the former teacher served four consecutive terms, which spanned the years from 1983 to 1991. While there, she became a member of the Committees for Agriculture and Livestock; County Affairs; Fire and Protection Standards; and Insurance. She also took a great interest in matters that pertained to education, tax relief, the state’s drug problems, and incentives for farmers, ranchers, and oil and gas development. Of the 44 bills she introduced, 23 were passed.

At 77 years of age, Phyllis Robinson has retired from politics and has returned to Gonzales, where she now lives with her husband, Thomas Miller.

Felmon Motley: Teacher, Civi Rights activist, and stellar athlete

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Educator, veteran, Civil rights activist, and stellar athlete Felmon Motley.  Photo Credit: Find a Grave

Many excellent educators are also known for their careers as stellar athletes. One of these was Felmon Motley, a successful football player who was inducted into the Delaware Hall of Fame. He was also a veteran and an activist during the Civil Rights Movement.

Felmon was born on March 18, 1921, in Autaugaville, Alabama. He was raised in Anniston, where he attended Cobb High School. However, in his senior year, he moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he graduated from from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in 1940.

After his graduation in 1940, Felmon enrolled in Alabama A&M University, where he played for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs as both a lineman and a fullback. In 1942, Felmon transferred to Delaware State College, where he played for the school’s Hornets.

During World War II, Felmon served his country from 1943 to 1945, playing on a military service team at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. While on this team, he played in the 1945 Copper Bowl, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game.

In 1946, Felmon returned to Delaware, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1947. He earned a Master’s degree from there in 1952. After earning his degrees, Felmon accepted a position as an industrial arts teacher at Seaford High. There he became the school’s first African American staff member. In all, his career as a teacher and guidance counselor spanned 37 years in public schools in Seaford, Dover, and Wilmington. He retired in 1984.

During the 1960’s, the former football player became an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King and the Rev. Jesse Jackson in Selma, Montgomery, and the 1963 March on Washington.

In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Felmon served was the President of the Delaware State Alumni Association from 1963 to 1967. He was a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, serving the organization at the national, district and local levels. He was also a 32nd degree Mason.

Football player Felmon Motley was inducted into the Delaware State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. Photo Credit: Public Domain

For his lifelong achievements, Felmon was one of the first inductees into Delaware State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also inducted into the State of Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and was one of the first inductees the Delaware State University Alumni Hall of Fame.

This Chalkboard Champion, veteran, Civil rights activist, and stellar athlete passed away on Aug. 28, 2004, in Milford, Delaware. He was 83 years old. He is interred in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, Delaware.

Nebraska teacher Katie Mace garners prestigious Milken Educator Award

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English teacher Katie Mace of Lyons, Nebraska, has garnered a prestigious 2022 Milken Educator Award. Photo Credit: Milken Family Foundation

I always enjoy sharing an inspirational story about a talented educator who has earned accolades for her work in the classroom. Today’s story is about Katie Mace, a high school English teacher from the small town of Lyons in northeast Nebraska. Katie has garnered a prestigious 2022 Milken Educator Award.

Katie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English from the University of Nebraska in 2003. She earned her Master’s degree in English Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State College in 2011. She earned a second Master’s degree in Counseling from Creighton University in Nebraska in 2014.

Katie teaches English and Speech at Lyons-Decatur Northeast’s High School in Lyons. Her innovative instructional practices keep students engaged and excited as they develop their reading and language arts skills. For example, during a unit on medieval literature and culture, students invite staff and peers to a medieval feast. In another activity, her students make pitches for fictional businesses ideas in the style of the television show “Shark Tank.” And she regularly encourages her students to enter local and national writing contests. As a result of Katie’s instructional strategies, her students regularly score at the top of state averages on the English section of the ACT, and former students credit her with their college and career successes.

The honored educator also goes to great lengths to care for students’ social-emotional needs. Putting her Master’s degree in Counseling to work, she spends one period each day working with students individually and in small groups.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Former teacher, trailblazer Teola Hunter served in Michigan House of Reps

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Former teacher and trailblazer Teola Hunter served her community in a variety of roles, including 11 years in the Michigan State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Digital Daily

Many excellent classroom teachers are also fine politicians who commit themselves to community service. One example of this is Teola Pearl Hunter, a teacher from Michigan who has also served in her state’s House of Representatives.

Teola was born on Feb. 5, 1933, in Detroit. When she was only 15. years old, she graduated from Class Technical High School in 1949. After her high school graduation, she enrolled at the University of Detroit, Mercy, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree Education in 1958. In 1971, she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary School Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University.

After she earned her degrees, Teola taught in Detroit public schools. She was an educator from 1958 to 1974, a total of 14 years. During this period, she founded Buttons and Bows Nurseries and Preparatory School. She operated the school from 1971 to 1985.

In 1980, Teola was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Michigan State House of Representatives. There she represented District 5 from 1981 to 1992. While in the House, Teola served as the Chairperson of the House Social Services and Youth Committee; the Ad Hoc Committee on Early Intervention and Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency; and the Oversight Committee on Family and Child Services. She also served on the Governor’s Task Force on Access to Health Care. In 1987, she was selected to be the first woman Speaker Pro Temper for the House. She also served as a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan in 1988.

Once her service in the Michigan State House was completed, Teola was appointed Deputy Director for Health and Community Services. In this position she was responsible for overseeing Mental Health Services, the Patient Care Management System, Youth Programs, the Co-op Extension, and the Child Care Fund. When her term there concluded, she was elected as the Deputy Director for the Wayne County Clerk, where she served two terms.

Throughout her life, Teola has served on the Boards of several nonprofits, including the College Board Kids Learning Center, the Lewis College of Business, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (Women’s Committee). She belonged to the National Order of Women Legislators, the patrons of the Arts for the Paradise Theater and Orchestra.

For her work as an educator and a legislator, in Feb., 2020, Teola was recognized by the the city of Detroit as one of four local iconic trailblazers honored during their Black History Month celebration.

Today, Teola Hunter is 90 years old and still going strong!