Tag Archives: Secondary Teachers

Michigan’s Nita Nicholie: Science teacher extraordinaire

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Nita Nicholie

Nita Nicholie, science teacher at St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Ever wonder if what you do in the classroom truly makes a difference in the lives of your students? Well, here is a story that proves that it does. This story is about Nita Nicholie, a science teacher at St. Joseph High School, a public school located in St. Joseph, Michigan.

This amazing educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from Michigan State University in 1985. When Nita started inaugurated her career in the classroom, she thought she’d teach for only a few years. That was 32 years ago. “I went into teaching because I love science, but I stayed in teaching because I love the kids,” Nita confesses.

Former student Autumn Roth, who took an Honors Physics with Nita before heading off to college, remembers, “On the first day of class she burst into the room singing show-tunes at the top of her lungs. I knew right then that this was going to be a good class.”

Nita’s influence on the lives of her students extends beyond her classroom. Over the years, this compassionate educator and her family have taken in over 20 students to live with them. “A lot of times they just needed a safe place to sleep, to have a warm shower in the morning and food before they go to sleep at night,” the chalkboard champion remarks. Nita even has an alarm set on her phone to remind her to text some students to make sure they’re awake and heading to school. It’s all part of connecting with her students, and doing whatever she can to help them be successful in school. For her efforts, Nita has earned special recognition. In 2010, she was nominated for Michigan Teacher of the Year.

“There’s no formula about how to be a great teacher,” Nita asserts. “If I really truly love what I do, the kids know it.”

Nita Nicholie: truly an inspiration.

Rosie Reid named California Teacher of the Year, 2019

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Congratulations to Rosie Reid, an outstanding educator from Walnut Creek, California, who has just been named a California Teacher of the Year for 2019.

Rosie’s career has spanned 16 years, the last two at Northgate High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. She was the first in her family to go to college. She credits this achievement to her teachers, and says she decided to become a teacher to pay this forward.

Rosie, a Language Arts teacher, is a member of the English Learner Review Team which monitors English-language learners and mentors ESL teachers. Most recently, Rosie founded and leads an equity task force at her high school. “I strive to be a status quo disruptor and an agent of social justice, while engaging in a rigorous, standards-based English curriculum,” declares Rosie. “So often teachers feel that if they are thinking about issues of equity and implicit bias, they must compromise rigor in order for all students to be successful; in fact it is by helping our most socially marginalized students develop literacy (and numeracy) skills that we may achieve social equity,” she asserts.

Rosie employs a number of strategies to achieve success in her classroom. She uses standardized test data to view individual student progress, identify patterns with groups of students, and remediate achievement gaps for marginalized students. In addition, she invites guest speakers to come to her classroom, and she designs real world projects to give her students a broader perspective. In order to encourage participation from all students, Rosie requires daily practice of language skills. To ensure inclusivity, she selects materials from a diverse range of authors and articles about relevant and compelling social issues so that every student sees themselves in the coursework, feels the work is important, and realizes how much their voices matter.

Rosie Reid: a true chalkboard champion.

Nevada’s Pilar Biller named her state’s 2018 Teacher of the Year

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Pilar Biller

Nevada art educator Pilar Biller named her state’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Pilar Biller, an art teacher at Damonte Ranch High School in the Washoe County School District, was named the 2018 Nevada Teacher of the Year by the Nevada Department of Education.

Pilar earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art from Gonzaga University in 1996. Gonzaga is a private, Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington. In 1998 Pilar earned her Master’s in Teaching and Education from Sierra Nevada College. Sierra Nevada College is a private, liberal arts university known for its programs in environmental science, English and creative writing, humanities, fine arts, and teacher education.

Pilar, a National Board Certified Teacher, has dedicated more than 18 years of her life in the classroom. The honored educator says it’s important for students to think creatively and to problem solve. She encourages her students to share their art in the community and to work with local service organizations.

“Pilar is an amazing art teacher who is so passionate and works just incredibly well with kids at all levels,” remarked Damonte Ranch Principal Darvel Bell. “Her classes are fun. Her kids love being in her classes,” he asserts. “I recently got to participate in one of her classes where the objective was to connect their art projects to businesses. This included developing a marketing plan and was a great example of how learning applies to the real world,” Bell remembers.

To learn more about Pilar, watch the video below:

Educator Joshua Carroll named Maryland State Teacher of the Year for 2018

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Josh Carroll

Educator Joshua Carroll named Maryland State Teacher of the Year for 2018.

Joshua Carroll, a Language Arts and STEM teacher at South River High School in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, has been named his state’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Joshua earned his Bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College.

Joshua has taught in Anne Arundel County for 18 years and has spent his career teaching at the high school level. He began his career as an English teacher at Glen Burnie High School and moved to South River in 2006. He coordinated the school’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program for six years before moving to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Joshua is a member of the Principal’s Leadership Team and Chairperson for the Student Recognition Committee at South River High School. He is also the head cross country coach and assistant coach for track and field, and he serves on the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association committees for cross country, indoor track, and student leadership.

“Joshua’s ability to recognize the contributions students make to their schools and communities builds positive morale school-wide,” commented Maryland Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon. “Through encouraging involvement in the community, his students gain experience outside of the classroom, creating real-word understanding and establishing key skills. His innovative and comprehensive teaching style is an example to educators everywhere,” Salmon concludes.

For a brief inspirational message from this phenomenal teacher, view the video below:

 

Cindy Couchman: 2014 inductee in the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame

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Cindy Couchman

High School math teacher Cindy Couchman of Kasas: a 2014 inductee in the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame.

Throughout our country there are many gifted educators who have been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Among these is Cindy Couchman, a high school math teacher from Buhler, Kansas, who was inducted in 2014.

Cindy earned an Associate of Arts degree from Cloud County Community College in 1988. Then she attended Kansas State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration in 1993.

From 1990-1995, the talented educator taught Algebra and Geometry at Concordia High School. In 1995 she transferred to Buhler High School, where she has taught Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. In addition, since 2004 she has taught College Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, and Calculus at Hutchinson Community College. In 2006, Cindy earned her national Board Certification. In addition, she is a published author in Chicken Soup for the Teacher’s Soul and More Best Practices for High School Classrooms. She has presented at state and national conferences on instructional practices, the flipped classroom, and alternative assessments.

For her work in the classroom, Cindy has earned many accolades. In 2009, she garnered the Excellence in Education Award from the National Education Association. In 2009, she was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a national finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

“Mrs. Couchman brings to the classroom an unfailing commitment to student success, a matchless sense of humor, and the energy level that provides opportunities for ‘as long as it takes’ for students to experience success,” says School Board Member marilyn Bolton. “She is the consummate professional whose vibrancy makes the teaching profession inspiring and appealing,” Bolton continues.