Tag Archives: Science Teachers

Covid claims life of science teacher Dr. Cathy Falkner of Texas

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With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021. Photo credit: Killeen Independent School District.

With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021, following a lengthy hospitalization.

Cathy was born on March 8, 1973, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a young girl, she attended Fort Wayne Community School. In 1991, she graduated fourth in her class from Northside High School. All throughout her life, her family membes say, Cathy exhibited a thirst for knowledge which made her an avid reader and scholar.

Once Cathy earned her high school diploma, she enrolled at DePauw University, a private school of higher learning located in Greencastle, Indiana. Later she graduated with honors from Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, as a pre-med major. She earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.

After earning her medical degree, Cathy changed her emphasis from medicine to teaching science. She became a science teacher at first at Killeen’s Crossroads High in Coperas Cove, Texas, and then Ellison High School in Killeen, where she spent the last three years of her teaching career.

Despite the fact that her teaching career was short, the fallen educator was an inspiration to many. “The students and staff of Ellison High School will remember the positive impact she made on their lives during the three years she was on campus,” expressed District spokesperson Taina Maya. “Despite the illness, Ms. Falkner’s main concern was for her students and their continued success in her class. Her dedication educating students will be greatly missed,” Maya continued.

To learn more about Dr. Cathy Falkner, see this obituary published by McDowell Funeral Home.

Florida science teacher Bertha Vazquez has won accolades

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Middle school science teacher Bertha Vazquez of Miami Dade Public Schools in Florida has won many accolades for her work in the classroom. (Photo credit: freeflo.org)

I always enjoy sharing stories about one of the many fine science educators in our country. One of these is Bertha Vazquez, an award-winning science teacher from Miami Dade County Public Schools in Florida. She has won many accolades for her work in the classroom.

Bertha teaches earth science, physical science, and life science at George Washington Carver Middle School in Miami Dade, Florida. Her career there has spanned 30 years. In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, she serves as the director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES), a program connected with the Center for Inquiry and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.

Bertha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, suma cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1989. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Science Education from Florida International University in 1999. She was also named to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999.

For her work as an educator, Bertha has earned many accolades. In 2008, she was named the South Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair Middle School Teacher of the Year. She garnered the Miami Dade Middle School Science Teacher of the Year Award in both 2008 and 1997, and in 1998 she was a finalist for Miami Dade Teacher of the Year. Bertha was also named a Premio Verde Escolar in 2012. She earned a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM grant in 2014, a Charles C. Bartlett Award for the National Environmental Education Foundation in 2009, and a Verizon Foundation Grant for Educators in 2011.

To learn more about Bertha’s work, see this link to the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science. You could also check out this link to the Center for Inquiry.

Mildred Watson: The teacher who trained future educators

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Sometimes excellent teachers go on to train other educators. One of these was Mildred Watson, a biology teacher who became a supervisor for student teachers. (Photo credit: Los Angeles Times)

Sometimes excellent classroom teaches go on to train other educators. One of these was Mildred Watson, a high school biology teacher who eventually became a supervisor for student teachers.

Mildred Watson was born on May 23, 1932, in Greenwood, Mississippi. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College. She also earned her first Master’s degree from the Ohio State University, her second Master’s from California State University, Fullerton, and her third Master’s from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. In addition, Mildred earned her PhD in Education from Claremont McKenna College.

After earning her degrees, Mildred taught biology and later became a counselor at Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. At various periods of her career as an educator, she also worked at the Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles and Los Alamitos High School. Towards the latter part of her career, Mildred worked as a supervisor for student teachers at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Mildred also participated in many charity organizations. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and 100 Black Women of Orange County.

Mildred passed away on December 22, 2020, in Santa Monica, California. She was 88 years old. To read more about this amazing educator, see her obituary published by the Los Angeles Times.

Florida teacher and coach Jeff Larson succumbs to Covid-19

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Florida science teacher and football coach Jeff Larson passed away from Covid-19 on Dec. 25, 2019. (Photo credit: Milton High School)

It is with great sadness that we report the passing Jeff Larson, a beloved educator and coach from Milton, Florida. Jeff succumbed to Covid-19 on December 25, 2019. He was 60 years old.

Jeff’s career as an educator spanned nearly four decades He taught first in Texas, and then he relocated to Florida, where he spent the last 25 years of his career. He was a science teacher and football coach at Milton High School in the Santa Rosa County School District in Milton, Florida.

Jeff will be sorely missed. “He was probably the most revered science teacher in the department,” remembered Tim Short, Milton High School Principal. “A great teacher, a tremendous football coach, but a better person.” Short continued, “He wasn’t a coach that taught, he was a teacher that coached. His peers could see the impact that he had on kids and on the school and on the community.”

Not only was he an exemplary educator, but Jeff’s prowess as a football coach was also well-known. “Many have wondered just how he took a group of average/undersized offensive linemen and delivered them to the doorstep of a Florida State Championship,” remarked Jeff’s former student Wesley Meiss, who is now the mayor of Milton. “Answer: Technique. His technique turned young boys into the men we are today,” Meiss continued.

In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Jeff sponsored the school’s martial arts club and the debate club. He also coached baseball, softball, and other sports. Jeff was honored as the Teacher of the Year in 2004-2005.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this story published by the Pensacola News Journal.

Oklahoma’s Donna Gradel inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

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Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. (Photo credit: Donna Gradel)

Congratulations to Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF). The group will be officially inducted on June 18, 2021, at a ceremony in Emporia, Kansas.

Donna taught Environmental Science at Broken Arrow High School from 1996 to 2020, a total of 24 years. She left the classroom to accept a position as the Dean of Academic Development and Innovation at Summit Christian Academy, a private school located in Broken Arrow.

The Chalkboard Champion has earned accolades for her hands-on work with students, leading them to develop a sustainable, low-cost, solar-powered, aquaponic system to help feed people living in poverty in Kenya. Many of her students traveled with her to Africa during the past summer to continue working on the classroom project, which also has provided safe, clean water for an entire village, as well as for a nearby elementary school and medical clinic.

“Donna Gradel is committed to unlocking the potential of her students by empowering them to solve real-world problems for the benefit of their global community,” remarked Richard Knoeppel, a 2019 NTHF inductee. “Her students are exposed to environmental issues and challenged to create solutions.  Always asking her students ‘what problem do you want to solve?’ gives them a sense of purpose and has shown them that their teacher has a genuine concern for them and is willing to be their champion,” he continued.

The honored educator was selected the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2018, and she was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year honors in 2019.

To read more about Donna Gradel, see this story published by the Tulsa Beacon.