Tag Archives: Science Teachers

Florida teacher Bertha Vazquez has earned many accolades

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Science teacher Bertha Vazquez was won many accolades for her work in the classroom. Photo credit: Sage Publishing

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 taught earth science, physical science, and life science at George Washington Carver Middle School in Miami Dade, Florida. She also taught French, but her main focus has been encouraging instruction in environmental education across the curriculum. Her career as an educator spanned 34 years.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Bertha served 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. She retired from the teaching profession in 2023.

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. She was also a 2015 State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Educator Betty Dean Anderson was also a Councilwoman and civic leader

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California science teacher and administrator  Betty Dean Anderson also served her community as a San Bernardino City Councilwoman and civic leader. Photo credit: Press Enterprise

Many outstanding educators also serve their communities diligently as community leaders and volunteers. One of these is Betty Dean Anderson, a science teacher, administrator, and leading figure who lived in San Bernardino, California.

Betty was born on Nov. 2, 1930, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the youngest of six children. As a young woman, she earned her degree in Biology  from Wiley College located in Marshall, Texas.

As soon as Betty earned her college degree, she inaugurated her career in education as a Biology teacher at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California. Eventually, she became a respected administrator, earning a reputation among her colleagues as an individual of fairness, intelligence, and commitment to students.

Betty also served her community as an elected Councilwoman for San Bernardino City, representing the 6th Ward. While in office, the retired educator championed affordable housing, job training for young people, and economic development that revitalized underserved neighborhoods.

In addition to her responsibilities as an educator and civic leader, Betty co-founded the Swans Club, a debutante program that has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to young African American women and provided hours of service to non-profit organizations within the Inland Empire. Betty was also involved with the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc., an organization that creates career pathways for young women and sponsors cultural opportunities within the Inland Empire. She also served on several civic and nonprofit boards and mentored generations of community leaders. Furthermore, Betty served as a volunteer usher for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Los Angeles. One of the highlights of her life was when she was able to attend both inaugurations of President Barack Obama as a guest of Rep. Joe Baca.

Sadly, Betty Dean Anderson passed away in 2025. She was 94 years of age.

 

VA teacher Aline Black Hicks launched an important Civil Rights case

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Virginia science teacher Aline Black Hicks launched an important Civil Rights case. Photo credit: Black Then

Often times teachers are at the forefront of movements that benefit entire groups of people in our society. One of these teachers was educator Aline Black Hicks, a high school science teacher who launched an important civil rights court case about equal pay.

Aline was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 23, 1906. As a young girl, she attended Booker T. Washington High School in her home town. After her graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. The school is known today as Virginia State University. Aline earned her Master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1935.

The neophyte educator inaugurated her career as a teacher when she accepted a position at her alma mater, Booker T. Washington, in 1924. She taught science and chemistry. As an African American, she earned only two-thirds the salary earned by a white teacher doing the same job. Although it was later determined to be a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, this was a common practice in that time.

In 1939, Aline filed a lawsuit against the Norfolk School Board, asking that they base teachers’ salaries on experience and education rather than race. She had the backing of the Norfolk Teachers Association, the Virginia State Teachers Association, and the NAACP. One of her attorneys was Thurgood Marshall, who later became an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. Unfortunately, Aline was fired in retaliation for her lawsuit. Once she was no longer employed by the school district, her case was dismissed. However, her lawyers took the case forward with another local teacher, Melvin O. Alston. Eventually the case went all the way to tour nation’s highest court, where the issue was eventually decided in favor of the African American plaintiffs.

In 1941, the Norfolk School board rehired Aline to teach at the school where she had formerly worked. From 1970 to 1973, she worked at Jacox Junior High School as an Instructional Development Specialist until she retired in 1973.

In 2008, Aline was named a Notable African Americans in Virginia History by the Library of Virginia. In 1971, she garnered the Norfolk “Backbone Award” by the Education Association for her contribution to financial, educational and social equality.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away in Norfolk on August 22, 1974. To read more about her, consult this article in Encyclopedia Virginia.

Meet Suborno Bari, said to be the world’s youngest professor

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Here is a video about a youngster who is said to be the world’s youngest professor. Meet Suborno Bari, a child prodigy and mathematics and science genius who became a university professor at just seven years old. He is now 12 years old, and this amazing young man is studying at New York University as a student after finishing high school in record time. Aside from the comments he makes about his experiences as both a student and as a teacher, his personal story is fascinating. This video is about eight minutes in length.

Science teacher Micah Depper of Maine garners Milken Educator Award

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Middle school science teacher Micah Depper of Maine has garnered a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2024-2025. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

It is always a pleasure for me to share the story about a talented educator who has earned recognition for his work in the classroom. One of these is Micah Depper, a junior high school school science teacher from Maine who has garnered a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2024-2025. He is one of only 45 educators to be so honored this year.

Micah teaches courses in science to seventh grade students at Bath Middle School located in Bath, Maine. There he promotes learning through an inquiry-based lessons which cover such topics as biological evolution, metabolism, contact forces, bacterial resistance, genetics, climate resilience, ecosystems, and invasive species.

In addition to his science courses, Micah offers students instruction in electronic music production so students to explore their interest in music. His group is known on campus was Depper’s BMS Rock Band, and is comprised of an eight-week music club that includes students with little to no musical experience. Participants learn how to play an instrument and perform at school assemblies and the school play.

What motivates Micah to work so hard? “Kids. I love working with kids,” he declares. “It’s a really hard job and it’s a job where you are constantly on the wheel, and you have to be prepared every day to be on for seven hours and make sure your lesson is tight, but you are also building community and emotional support for your students and colleagues,” he continues.

Micah earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, in 2010. He earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Studies at Antioch University in 2013.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the award 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 whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.