Tag Archives: Science Teachers

Biology teacher Joseph Ruhl: A 2017 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee

Posted on by
Joseph Ruhl

Biology teacher and 2017 NTHF inductee Joseph Ruhl features individualized instruction, hands-on projects, and technology in his courses.

I truly enjoy sharing stories about hardworking and dedicated educators. Today I’d like to share the story of Joseph Ruhl, a biology and genetics teacher from Lafayette, Indiana, who was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2017.

Joseph attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1977 and his Master’s degree in Biology Education in 1980.

His career in the classroom spanned a total of 38 years in the classroom. During this long career, he has taught at Lanier B High School in Macon, George, at LaCrosse High School in la Crosse, Indiana, at North White high School in Monon, Indiana, and at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana. “Teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world,” declares Joseph. “It’s also one of the most difficult, but teaching is a profession that will being authentic joy and satisfaction.”

Joseph offers a unique teaching style, which features individualized instruction, hands-on projects, technology, and what he calls a “smorgasbord menu” that allows students to make their own choices.

For his outstanding work in the classroom, Joseph has been singled out for many honors. In 1988 he was awarded a Golden Apple Teaching Award by the Lafayette, Indiana Chamber of Commerce. In 1989, he garnered the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. In 2012, he won the Shell National Science Teaching Award, and in 2015, he was given the Robert E. Yager Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2017, he earned the Sagamore of the Wabash Award presented by the Governor Indiana. That same year, he was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

The TED Talk YouTube video below is almost 18 minutes, but it provides an inspirational speech from this distinguished chalkboard champion. Enjoy!

Lisa Niver: Award-winning science teacher and travel blogger

Posted on by
Lisa Niver

Lisa Niver, award-winning science teacher and travel blogger

During their summers off, many teachers often enjoy improving their professional practice through sifting through resources in their field. Many teachers also enjoy expanding their horizons through traveling, either within the United States or abroad. Science teacher Lisa Niver is a talented educator who can help you with both!

Lisa is a former junior high school science educator from Los Angeles, California. She is well-known in science teacher circles for her instructional strategies that emphasize the use of technology in the classroom. She’s also noted for using students’ real world connections to explore their passions and to work towards solving today’s most complex issues. She also developed a successful summer science camp for students, and created a science-based website entitled Science Isn’t Scary. In 2009, Lisa founded the Los Angeles Science Teachers Network (LASTN),  a professional development network that by May, 2012, involved over 70 teachers and 40 schools. The effort was praised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

In addition to her career as a professional educator, Lisa is also a sought-after motivational speaker, travel agent, and travel writer. Lisa has traveled to over 99 countries, and has been recognized as one of the top five female travel bloggers. In addition, she is the Adventure Correspondent for The Jet Set, the first travel based TV Talk show. To learn more about unique travel experiences, check out Lisa’s fabulous website at We Said Go Travel.

Lisa has published many articles in online and offline magazines, including National Geographic, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, and The Jewish Journal. She was a 2012 nominee for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. In 2018, she was nominated in three categories of the Southern California Journalism Awards: Science/Technology Reporting; Travel Reporting; and Personality Profile. Click below to view a 4-minute interview of this remarkable teacher:

Science teacher Greg Craven presents info about climate change

Posted on by
Greg Craven

Science teacher Greg Craven discusses the topic of climate change with his high school students.

There are many examples of classroom teachers who have made a significant impact on American culture. Science teacher Greg Craven of Oregon is an excellent example of this.

Greg was raised in Silverton, Oregon. After his high school graduation, he attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he majored in computer science and Asian studies. Once he earned his degree, he accepted a position as a science teacher at Central High School in Independence, Polk County, Oregon, where he teaches physics and chemistry. This talented educator involves his students in using critical thinking skills to tackle questions about science.

In 2007, Greg created an instructional YouTube video that featured the subject of climate change. The ten-minute video, entitled The Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See, instantly went viral. To follow up, this chalkboard champion created 44 additional videos which further explored the topic. “My mission in this is to change the culture,” explained Greg, “so that a policymaker can’t turn around without somebody saying ‘Hey! What are you doing about climate change?’ We need significant changes in the basis of our modern society, which is cheap, easily accessible fossil fuels.” As a follow up to his videos, Greg published a book entitled What’s the Worst that Could Happen? A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate in 2009.

For this work, Greg was named Featured Teacher by WIRED Science in 2007. In 2010, he was invited to address the American Geophysical Union, where he also served as a member of a panel discussion group that addressed the topic of climate change. He has also been named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Science Teach­­ers Association.

To learn more about Greg’s book, see What’s the Worst that Could Happen? on amazon. com. To view Greg’s 2007 YouTube video, see below:

Educator Braulio Alonso: Teacher, US veteran, and first Hispanic president of the NEA

Posted on by
Educator Braulio Alonso

Educator Braulio Alonso” Teacher, US veteran, and first Hispanic president of the NEA

There are many valiant American veterans who have also served in the classroom. One such American hero is Braulio Alonso. This distinguished educator and World War II veteran can boast numerous accomplishments during his lifetime.

Braulio was born the son of impoverished cigar makes in Ybor City, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, on December 16, 1916. Braulio graduated in 1935 from Hillsborough High School, the valedictorian of his class. He was also the valedictorian of his college class when he graduated from the University of Tampa in 1939.

Braulio began his teaching career as an instructor of physics and chemistry courses at Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, but when World War II erupted, this chalkboard hero enlisted in the United States Army in 1941. He was immediately sent to officer candidate school, and later he became part of the 85th Infantry Division in North Africa. The former classroom teacher was promoted to Battery Commander for the 328th Artillery Battalion, taking an active part in the Italian campaign. He was among the first Allied soldiers to liberate Rome. By the time he was discharged from the service, Braulio had earned a Bronze Star with Cluster and a Purple Heart.

When the war was won, Braulio resumed his career as an educator. He was named the director of Adult Education and headed an on-the-job training program for returning veterans. He also taught classes and served as a principal at several schools, including West Tampa Junior High, Jefferson High School, and C. Leon King High School.

Always intent upon improving the quality of education, Braulio became the president of his local teachers’ union. He eventually was selected the president of the Florida Education Association, where he led the drive to integrate the organization. In 1967, he was elected the president of the National Education Association (NEA), the first Hispanic to hold that office. While NEA president, Braulio worked to persuade teacher organizations throughout Europe to join with the NEA for an international conference to combat racism, anti-Semitism and apartheid. He served as the secretary of that joint effort. In 1966 he became an international figure when he was asked to mediate a dispute among teacher organizations and the Bolivian government. This was the first of many missions Braulio undertook to mediate disputes, including efforts in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Brazil, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Ghana.

This remarkable chalkboard hero passed away of natural causes in 2010. He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. To read more about him, see this online article published by the NEA.

Teacher, veteran, and Kentucky State Representative DeWayne Bunch

Posted on by
DeWayne Bunch

Teacher, veteran, and Kentucky State Representative DeWayne Bunch.

I am always eager to share stories about fine educators who have served our country in our armed services and in politics. One such teacher is DeWayne Bunch of Kentucky. In addition to serving in the National Guard, DeWayne also served in the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

DeWayne was a teacher of science and math at Whitley County High School in Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky, for seventeen years. DeWayne was also a member of the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years. The intrepid teacher completed a tour of duty in Iraq, where he served as a first sergeant. His valor there earned him a Bronze Star.

A multi-talented individual, DeWayne was elected in 2010 to the Kentucky State House of Representatives. There he represented the 82nd District. As a legislator, he served on House Committees for Education, Veterans’ Affairs, and Transportation.

Sadly, DeWayne’s story does not have a happy ending. One morning in 2011, while the former soldier was at school, a brawl between two students broke out in the cafeteria. DeWayne was the first of three faculty members who rushed in to quell the fray. Unfortunately, DeWayne took a direct punch meant for another student, and was knocked to the floor. He hit his head on the hard surface, and sustained severe head and spinal cord injuries. DeWayne was rushed to the nearest hospital. and spent the next year in extensive rehabilitative therapy. Because of his condition, DeWayne resigned his position in the Kentucky House of Representatives. His wife, Regina Bunch, a special education teacher at Whitley County Middle School, was elected to fill his vacated position.

DeWayne died as a result of his injuries just over a year after his accident, on July 11, 2012. He was only 49 years old. Our country lost a true hero and chalkboard champion that day. To read more about this amazing man, see this 2011 article published in the Lexington Herald Leader: State Rep Bunch Critically Injured.