Tag Archives: Secondary Teachers

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.

Washington teacher Jamie Smith bids for seat in State House of Reps

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Jamie Smith

Washington teacher Jamie Smith runs for a seat in her state’s House of Representatives.

Today’s political climate has spurred many talented and hardworking educators to run for public office. One such educator is Washington teacher Jamie Smith, who is bidding for a seat in her state’s House of Representatives. After winning the Democratic primary last August, Jamie will face off against Republican Kelly Chambers to represent the state’s District 25A.

Jamie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in 2004. She majored in both history and secondary education, and she minored in communications. In 2007 she earned a Master’s degree in Leadership Development Program from the same university. In addition, Jamie is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Jamie has spent her twelve-year career as an educator  teaching history, civics, and government at Puyallup and Rogers High Schools. She has also served as a cross country and track coach there. In addition, she has been employed as a Regional Curriculum Trainer for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a national non-profit which helps to develop courage, commitment, citizenship, integrity, and patriotism in students.

If elected, Jamie says her priorities will be education, the economy, homelessness, rising housing costs, lack of transportation, the opioid crisis, and the environment. “Our state faces many tough choices,” asserts Jamie. “As a teacher, I know our schools desperately need support to provide the best education to our children, wages have stagnated and we need more living wage jobs, small businesses need support to compete in the 21st century economy, (and) we must take action to protect our environment from the ravages of climate change,” she continues. “We need leaders who care about our needs. I am the advocate who will make sure every child in our state gets a high quality education. I will fight for workers and help Washington grow,” she concludes.

Teacher Larry Proffitt runs for Tennessee State House of Reps

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Larry Proffitt

Middle school teacher Larry Proffitt runs for a seat in the Tennessee State House of Representatives.

Today, more than ever, the American political environment offers opportunities for dedicated educators to step into elected public office as they attempt to achieve positive social change in their communities. One of these educators is Larry Proffitt, a junior high school history teacher who is running for a seat in the Tennessee State House of Representatives.

Larry’s career as an educator spans 13 years. He currently works as an eighth grade history teacher at Dickson Middle School. Larry says he believes in community schools throughout his home state. He declares he wants every child to have a great public education like the one he received, and he believes that a quality education is the foundation of our republic and its democratic ideals. But, he asserts, there is definitely work that needs to be done. “We need to get a hold on things and go back to developing relationships with our children,” declares Larry, “teaching our children to grow up and be socially responsible and teaching them in depth in the things we do.”

Larry is running on the Democratic ticket unopposed. His goal is to represent Tennessee’s District 66, which covers Robertson County. In order to learn as much about his state government as possible, Larry says he spends every snow day at the General Assembly speaking to legislators about improving schools in his state in every way possible.

To learn more about this chalkboard champion, visit his campaign website at Larry for Rep.