Tag Archives: Science Teachers

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.

Mississippi teacher Megean Millis succumbs to Covid-19

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Sadly, biology teacher Megean Millis of Picayne, Mississippi, succumbed to Covid-19 on August 4, 2021. Photo credit: McDonald Funeral Home.

Sadly, the educational community is mourning the loss of yet another teacher to Covid-19. Megean Millis succumbed to the disease on August 4, 2021. She was just 26 years old.

Megean was born on September 26, 1994, in her native town of Pecayune, Mississippi. As a teenager, she graduated from Pecayune Memorial High School in 2013. After her high school graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi. At the time of her passing, Megean was working on her Master’s degree from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Once she earned her degrees, the neophyte educator returned to her alma mater, Picayune High School, where she taught Biology 1, Foundations of Biology, ACT Science & Reading, and Physics. She also served as the coach of the school’s “Pride of the Tide” Dance Team.

The popular teacher, who was not vaccinated, became ill while on vacation with her family a month before her death. She passed away just one day before classes for the 2021-2022 school year were set to begin.

Former teacher Rebecca Pringle serves as NEA President

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Former Pennsylvania middle school teacher and current President of the National Education Association Rebecca Pringle works tirelessly to improve conditions in schools for both teachers and students. Photo credit: NEA

A former Pennsylvania educator who now serves as the current President of the National Education Association works tirelessly to improve conditions in schools for both teachers and students. She is Rebecca Pringle, who has logged an extensive career as a middle school science teacher.

Rebecca was born in 1955 in Philadelphia.  As a young girl, she attended Philadelphia High School for girls, one of the city’s most prestigious magnet schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her Master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Once she completed her education, Rebecca taught middle school science in the Susquehanna Township School District for 28 years. In total, her career in the classroom spans 31 years.

Throughout the years she served as a classroom teacher, Rebecca also served in a number of roles in the NEA, an organization that currently serves three million members nationwide. Her first position was Secretary/Treasurer. In 2014, she was elected NEA’s Vice President. In 2020, Rebecca assumed the mantle of President. This position earns Rebecca the title of the highest-ranking African American female labor leader in America. In this role, the indefatigable union leader has worked tirelessly to limit federal testing requirements, increased funding for schools, greater equity for students, and to make teacher evaluation and accountability practices more fair.

For her work on behalf of fellow educators, Rebecca has earned many accolades. She is a recipient of the National Peace Medal for Leader of Educational Excellence; a recipient of the Black Women’s Roundtable Education Innovation & Social Justice Leadership Award from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; the Woman of Power Award from the National Action Network; and she was named Community Woman of the Year by the American Association of University Women. For her efforts on behalf of teachers nationwide, President Barack Obama selected Rebecca to be a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Her work on the Commission included addressing issues on teacher recruitment and retention, STEM access and opportunities, and college preparation and completion.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this biography of her published on the website of the NEA.

Arizona teacher Chris Ackerly served in state House of Reps

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Arizona teacher J. Christopher “Chris” Ackerly is a science and math educator from Tucson, Arizona, who also served in his state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: Amphitheater High School.

There are many hardworking educators throughout our country who have also achieved success as politicians. One of these is John Christopher “Chris” Ackerly, a science and math educator who was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.

Chris was born and raised in Arizona, primarily in the Tucson area. He graduated from Green Fields High School in 1990. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science from Northern Arizona University in 1999.

After 18 years as an educator, Chris made a bid for elected office. He was elected on the Republican ticket to represent District 2. He served there from 2015 to 2017. While in the Arizona House of Representatives, Chris served as the Chair of the Government and Higher Education Committee; he was a former member of the Committee on Children and Family Affairs; and he was a former member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As a legislator, Chris worked diligently for increased school funding, greater support for more resources for the classroom, an increase in structured sober living homes, and greater support for owners of mobile homes.

Once he left office, Chris returned to his position as a teacher of Physics and Mathematics at Amphitheater High School in Tucson. He has also taught Statistics and Geometry, and K-8 Science and Technology. In addition, Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Education Association.

To read more about Chris, see his website at Amphitheater High School.

South Dakota’s Paula Hawks: Science teacher and politician

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Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher from South Dakota, has also served her community in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: South Dakota Public Radio.

There are many fine educators who have also demonstrated a knack for politics. One of these is Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher who has also served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Paula was born on Sept. 11, 1975, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was raised on a farm in Flandreau in her home state. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from South Dakota State University in 1998. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Technology for Education and Training from the University of South Dakota in 2008.

Paula began her professional career serving as a research assistant for South Dakota State University. She later worked as a residential instructor at SouthEastern Behavioral Healthcare. But then she discovered her niche in the field of education. Paula inaugurated her career as an educator by accepting a position as a teacher of Technology Integration in the West Central School District. She worked there from 2002 to 2012. During those ten years, she served as an Oral Interpretation Coach in the schools.

In 2012, the former science teacher was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 9 in the South Dakota House of Representatives. She held this position from 2013 to 2017. While in the South Dakota House, she served on the Committees for Education and Local Government. In addition, she was selected Minority Whip from 2015 to 2017. In 2019, Paula was elected her state’s party chair. Throughout her political career, her focus has been on seniors, farmers and ranchers, equality for women and education, and student loan debt.

Today, Paula works as a Career Services Coordinator and Student Success advisor at Southeast Technical Falls in Sioux Falls.