Tag Archives: Secondary Teachers

Kellie May named Utah’s 2019 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Salt Lake City teacher Kellie May named Utah’s 2019 State Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations are in order for Utah educator Kellie May of Salt Lake City. She has just been named the 2019 Utah Teacher of the Year!

Kellie was employed at West High School in the Salt Lake City School District. There she was involved with the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program. The program helps students in under-represented populations prepare for college and succeed once they get there. AVID programs have been established in all 50 states and many countries abroad.

This chalkboard champion has earned the praise of many of her colleagues. “She has a knack for working with students and really getting them to see and believe in their own potential,” said Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Lexi Cunningham. “She was instrumental in getting kids to graduate.”

In addition to her seven years at West High, Kellie has also taught at Bryant Middle School, Lincoln Elementary (now called Liberty), and Northwest Middle School. Currently she is an Associate Instructor at the University of Utah, where she trains new teachers.

A lifelong learner, Kellie declares she has dedicated her whole career to public education. Kellie says she loves teaching, and works hard to share that passion with others. In addition, Kellie admits teaching can be challenging, but she asserts it can also be the most rewarding profession.

Kellie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Education at the University of Utah in 1995. She earned a Master’s in Teaching and Learning in 2000, and a second Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2011, also from the University of Utah.

A check for $10,000 was presented to the honored educator. Next, she will meet with Teachers of the Year from all over the country at a national conference. These educators will also meet with the president in Washington, DC, and attend space camp in Alabama next summer.

To read more about Kellie, read this story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Connecticut’s David Bosso just inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame

Posted on by

David Bosso, a high school social studies teacher from Berlin, Connecticut, was recently inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

It’s always gratifying when an outstanding educator receives national recognition for their work in the classroom. One such educator is Dr. David Bosso, a high school social studies teacher from Berlin, Connecticut. He was one of just five educators nationwide who were inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame last month.

David earned his Bachelor’s degree at Eastern Connecticut State University in 1997 and his Master’s degree at the University of Hartford in 2004. He completed the requirements for his Ph.D. at the American International College in 2014.

David inaugurated his career as a professional educator in 1997, when he accepted a position as a junior high school history and reading teacher at Holy Cross School. The next year he transferred to his alma mater, Berlin High School, where he still teaches today. In all, his career has spanned 21 years.

“Good teachers are driven by a sense of moral purpose, and they have a keen appreciation for the difference they can make in students’ lives,” asserts David. “They know that many times, it is paying attention to the little things that will pay important relational dividends,” he continues. “And this can mean the world to some students,” he concludes.

For his work in the classroom, David has earned many accolades in addition to this newest honor. In 2012 He was selected the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year, and he was also named the Social Studies Secondary Teacher of the Year by the National Council for the Social Studies. The Lowell Milken Center designated him an Unsung Heroes Fellow in 2014. In 2017 David garnered the Addazio Award by the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies.

To read more about this chalkboard champion, see the article entitled Berlin Teacher to be Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame published online by the Connecticut Education Association.

Biloxi Junior High teachers create Avenue of Literature

Posted on by

You’ve got to love the teachers at Biloxi Junior High School in Biloxi, Mississippi. They spent their summer vacation creating an Avenue of Literature for their students by painting the lockers in the hallway to look like the spines of books.

“They’re so much cleaner and bright, and they’re beautiful,” asserts teacher Jamie Parker. Teacher Becky Howard agrees. “I think the kids are really going to enjoy it. When they come back and see this, they’re going to be like, ‘Wow, this is really neat,'” she says.

The project was inaugurated the preceding Fall when two of the teachers at the school decided they wanted to transform the old, dull lockers that lined the eighth grade English hallway. The 189 lockers had been sealed shut and left unused for more than 15 years. “We thought, well, wow, we can really make this hallway look good,” commented teacher Elizabeth Williams. To decorate the lockers, the teachers selected titles they believed would appeal to all reading levels, interests, and genres.

The project was funded by a $600 grant through Biloxi First, public donations, and personal contributions.

NY high school teacher and politician Ernest Greenwood

Posted on by
Ernest Greenwood

High school teacher and politician Ernest Greenwood of New York

Throughout American history, there are many examples of fine educators who went on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Ernest Greenwood, a teacher and principal who also served in the US House of Representatives.

Ernest was born November 25, 1884, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, English. As a young boy, he attended public schools in Halifax, and as a young man he attended the Evening Technical Institute and College. From 1905 to 1906 Ernest was employed at an  engineering firm in Sheffield, and from 1907 to 1910 he was employed at an engineering firm in Halifax.

Ernest left his position in Halifax he immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. He secured employment with the General Electric Company in Schenectady. He worked there until 1914, when he decided to change careers and become an educator. To earn his degree, Ernest first attended City College of New York and then Columbia University.

But in 1914, World War I was in full swing. To contribute to the war effort, Ernest became a member of the committee on Census and Inventory of Military Resources. In addition, the new teacher inaugurated his career in Schenectady public schools, where he taught from 1914 to 1916. When he moved to islip, Suffolk County, New York, where he taught at Islip High School from 1916 to 1920. From 1920 to 1922, Ernest served as the supervisor of the Federal Board of Vocational Education. In addition, he was the Associate Headmaster for the Dwight School for Boys. From 1922 to 1946, he worked at the New York Preparatory School for Adults, the last 19 as the Headmaster.

During World War II, Ernest served on Islip’s Rationing Board, and in addition he was the Chairman of the Planning Commission for the Board of Education in Bay Shore, New York. He was the Board’s treasurer from 1947 to 1950. He was a Freemason, and a member of the Rotary Club.

In 1950, Ernest inaugurated his career as a politician. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent New York’s First District in the 82nd Congress. He served in the US House of Representatives from 1951 to 1953.

Ernest retired from politics in 1954. Sadly, the former educator and politician passed away in Bay Shore on June 15, 1955. He was 70 years old. He is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Bay Shore.

Beloved educator Derrick Nelson succumbs to bone marrow donation procedure

Posted on by
Derrick Nelson

Beloved New Jersey principal Dr. Derrick Nelson succumbed last Sunday from complications sustained when he underwent a procedure to donate life-saving bone marrow to a 14-year-old teenage boy in France.

Students and teachers at Westfield Public High School in New Jersey are mourning the loss of their beloved principal, Dr. Derrick Nelson, this week. Derrick passed away last Sunday from complications sustained while he was undergoing a procedure to donate bone marrow. Through the Be the Match organization, the life-saving bone marrow was given to a 14-year-old teenage boy in France.

The educational community has been enriched by the presence of Chalkboard Hero Dr. Derrick Nelson, and his loss will be keenly felt. Students remember their principal for supporting students at games, plays and concerts, and for the impact he left on those around him. “He always tried to inspire students in the classroom and outside to be good people,” expressed Senior Class President Jackson O’Brien in an interview with ABC 7. “And I think he served as a great role model.”  Derrick’s father, Willie Nelson, agrees. “He was the type of guy to take the shirt off his back and give it to you,” Willie remembers. “He was very good at everything he did. He gave 100 percent of his life to education.”

Derrick earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Mass Communications and Media Studies from Delaware State University in 1997. He earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at St. Peter’s College in 2003. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration in Seton Hall University in 2013. Derrick also served 25 years in the US Army Reserves, and had recently re-enlisted. His military service included an assignment in the Middle East.

Medical professionals emphasize that, while any medical procedure carries some degree of risk, death from bone marrow donation procedures are extremely rare.