Tag Archives: Secondary Teachers

Teacher Julia McCabe elected to the Maine House of Reps

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High school teacher Julia McCabe has been elected to serve in the Maine House of Representatives.  Photo credit: Maine House of Representatives

Many professional educators have also been elected to serve their communities in political office. One of these is Julia McCabe, a secondary public school teacher who also serves in the Maine House of Representatives.

Julia earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston in 2012. She earned her Master’s degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2020.

After earning her degrees, Julia inaugurated her career as a teacher at the high school level in her home city of Lewiston. She has taught in public schools in there for the past 12 years. She also volunteers as a youth sports coach.

In 2024, Julia was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 93 in the Maine State House of Representatives. She was sworn in to office on Dec. 3, 2024, and her term will conclude on Dec. 1, 2026. In the Maine House, she serves as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee and on the Leaves of Absence Committee. In addition, Julia has served her community as a member of the Recycling and Waste Management Committee for the City of Lewiston.

In the short time that Julia has already served in the Maine House, she has supported a number of bills intended to improve conditions for young people and teachers in her state. One of these bills promotes the widespread voter registration of high school students; another decreases the retirement contributions required for teachers and state employees; and a third is an act to sustain access to children’s residential care services. She also supports increasing opportunities for vocational education for young people, free tuition for Maine’s community college students, and the expansion of work force training programs for adult learners.

 

 

Ag teacher Melanie Bloom named Iowa’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

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Agriculture teacher Melanie Bloom of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Melanie Bloom

It is always exciting for me to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for her work in public schools. Today I share the story of Melanie Bloom, a vocational education teacher from Idaho. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Melanie teaches  agricultural education courses at Sioux Central Community School District in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. She has taught there for the past 16 years. In her district, more than 25% of all middle and high school students are enrolled in agricultural education classes and are members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). In her classroom, Melanie encourages her students to explore diverse careers in the agriculture industry, and then to develop career skills that prepare them for those careers. She also teaches them to make informed choices about food, fibers, and natural resources. 
 
To accomplish these goals, Melanie employs inquiry and project-based learning strategies. In addition, she designs and leads professional development sessions. She has influenced agricultural educators nationwide as a curriculum developer for the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education initiative. Melanie also serves in several agricultural advisory roles, most notably the Iowa Advisory Council on Agricultural Education, where she assists with identifying standards, escalating agricultural opportunities for all students, and promoting agricultural education as a career. She has also served as a beginning teacher mentor and faculty member in an Iowa teacher preparation program.

Melanie earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Education and Animal Science, and her Master’s degree in Agricultural Education, all from Iowa State University. Currently she is a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri-Columbia, working on her degree in Agricultural Education and Leadership Development.

 

LA math teacher Lainey Hodge garners PAEMST

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Exemplary math teacher Lainey Hodge of Monroe, Louisiana, has garnered a prestigious PAEMST. Photo credit: Laney Hodge

There are many exemplary educators working in our nation’s public school classrooms. One of these is Lainey Hodge, a mathematics teacher from Monroe, Louisiana. She garnered a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) from President Joseph Biden in January, 2025.

The PAEMST recognizes the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Lainey Hodge has taught mathematics for 14 years. Currently, she teaches courses in Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra III, Advanced Math, Financial Literacy, and Math Essentials at Sterlington High School in Quachita Parish. She previously taught at Ouachita Parish High School for three years, Haughton High School for six years, and Minden High School for her first three years as a teacher.

Lainey is highly thought of among her students and colleagues.They particularly appreciate her approach to teaching mathematics. “That’s my job,” she says. “To overcome the stereotype that math is too difficult. I do my best to teach it in a way that makes it easy and fun,”she declares.

In addition to teaching these courses, Lainey is a mentor teacher and content leader who facilitates school and districtwide professional development. She is a teacher leader and advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education. Additionally, she works with Rivet Education, Inc. to review professional development of high-quality instructional materials.

Lainey earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology Education from Louisiana Tech University and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM concentration from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

In addition to her PAEMST, Lainey was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding High School Teacher by the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics and the 2014 Region 7 Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators.

AZ math teacher Kristi Peterson garners coveted PAEMST

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Arizona math teacher Kristi Peterson has garnered a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: PAEMST

There are many outstanding educators working with America’s young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Kristi Peterson of Arizona. In January, 2025, she was recognized by President Joe Biden with a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Kristi teaches mathematics at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. There she instructs courses in Honors Algebra 1 and Algebra II to students in grades nine through twelve. She also serves as an instructional coach there. Previously, Kristi was employed as the Secondary Math Coordinator for Gilbert High School Ray High School. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Chandler Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Central Arizona College. In all, she has been an educator for 31 years.

In her classroom, Kristi challenges students to build an understanding of mathematical concepts through exploration and collaboration. She emphasizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. “I am far from the same teacher I was when I started teaching,” declares Kristi. “Just as I expect my students to challenge themselves, I strive to improve all the time,” she continues.

In addition to her work with students, Kristin serves her school as the Mathematics Department Chair, a member of the School Improvement Committee, and the co-sponsor for the Student Council.

Kristi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Arizona State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

PA’s Chuck Heberling: Teacher, coach, NFL referee, veteran

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Chuck Heberling was a teacher, a coach, an NFL referee, and a veteran of WWII. Photo credit: Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

Many outstanding educators also serve as excellent sports officials. One of these is Chuck Heberling, a Pennsylvania teacher and coach who was also a distinguished official for the National Football League (NFL).

Chuck was born on April 28, 1925, in Pittsburgh. After his graduation from Perry High School, he served during WWII as a fighter pilot in the United States Navy. At the conclusion of the war, he enrolled at Pennsylvania’s Washington & Jefferson College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1949. There he was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in both football and baseball.

After earning his college degree, Chuck accepted a position as a teacher and the coach of the football and basketball teams at East Washington High School. During the 1970’s, he served on School Board of the North Allegheny School District.

For 15 years, Chuck worked as a football official at the high school and college level. He also spent 23 years as an official in the NFL. For 16 of those years he was the crew chief. And as if that were not impressive enough, he was the referee for two of the most famous games in professional football: The Hail Mary in 1975 and The Drive-In in 1987. He also served as an alternate on the crew of officials for the Super Bowl XIII and the Super Bowl XXI, and as the replay official for the Super Bowl XXIII.

In 1976, Chuck became the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPISL). At that time, the WPIAL was rapidly growing as one of the top scholastic organizations in the country. In 1992, Chuck inaugurated the WPIAL Scholar-Athlete program. During the next few years, the program awarded scholarships to more than 50 students from more than 40 high schools. Chuck retired from the WPIAL in 1997 after 21 years. Today, the WPIAL serves as a model around the county for high school athletic organizations.

In 2002, Chuck was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson College Hall of Fame.

Chuck Heberling died of natural causes on Dec. 9, 2019, at his hime in McCandless, Pennsylvania.