Tag Archives: Secondary Teachers

Krazy George Henderson: The professional cheerleader (and former teacher) who invented the “wave”

Posted on by
Krazy George Henderson

Former shop teacher, professional cheerleader, and inventor of the wave Krazy George Henderson

Under ordinary circumstances the word “Krazy” is not a word we would like to associate with a teacher, but in the case of Krazy George Henderson, we happily make an exception. As a professional cheerleader and inventor of the wave, former high school shop teacher Krazy George is just a fun guy.

George inaugurated his cheerleading career in 1968 while a student at San Jose State University. During those years he was also a member of the school’s judo team which one a national championship. After his graduation from college, George continued cheerleading at local sporting events where he became well-known for beating a drum and shouting cheers in his gravelly voice.

After his graduation from college, George became a shop teacher at Buckser High School in Santa Clara, California. In 1975, his enthusiastic cheerleading was noticed by local sports teams. Not long after, he was hired to be a team cheerleader for the San Jose Earthquakes, the California Golden Seals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. Before long, Krazy George made cheerleading his new career.

George takes credit for inventing the famous wave. He says he got the idea for the popular fan move in 1980 when he was leading cheers at a National Hockey League game at Northlands Coliseum in Edmongton, Alberta, Canada. His original plan was to have fans on one side of the arena jump to their feet and cheer, and then fans on the opposite side respond. But there was a delay in the  response from one section of the fans which led them to jump to their feet a few seconds later than the others on their side. Before long, George perfected the move, which he debuted at the Oakland A’s baseball game on October 15, 1981. “I started with three sections and it went about five or six sections down,” Krazy George told KPIX-TV in San Francisco in a 2010 interview. “I did it again and it went 11 and then all the way around. It was insane,” he continued. Crowds all over the country have been “waving” ever since.

The former educator has left the classroom, but as he nears his 75th birthday he has enjoyed a career as a cheerleader for 40 years. In addition to his appearances as a cheerleader at professional sports events, George has been featured in People Magazine, he’s been a guest on such television programs as Hollywood Squares and To Tell the Truth, and he’s been interviewed on numerous national and local radio shows.

Enjoy this video of Krazy George demonstrating the wave below:

Retired educator and former Maine State Representative Charles Harlow

Posted on by
Charles Harlow

Retired educator and former Maine State Representative Charles Harlow.

There are many examples of excellent educators who have achieved success in the political arena. One of these is Charles Harlow, a teacher who has also served as a state representative for his home state of Maine.

Charles was born in Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, on May 25, 1942. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1965 and his Master’s degree in Education in 1968, both from the University of Maine, a public research university located in Orono.

During his long career as an educator, Charles taught at Wells High School (1965-1966), Mexico High School (1966-1968), Mount Blue High School (1968-1971), and finally at Chererus High School (1972-2004).

While still teaching, Charles inaugurated his career as a politician with his election to the City Council for Portland, Maine. He served in that position from 1990 to 1999. During those years, Charles also served a term as the the city’s honorary mayor. In 2004, the former teacher was elected to the Maine House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. He served in that body representing the 116th District until 2010.

Charles Harlow suffers from health issues and is now retired, from both teaching and politics. He still lives in Maine.

Teacher Aaryn Birchell honored as Utah’s 2018 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by
Aaryn Birchell

Teacher Aaryn Birchell of Uintah High School honored as Utah’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

There are many examples of exemplary teachers throughout our country, and one of them is English teacher Aaryn Birchell of Uintah School District, who has been honored as the 2018 Utah State Teacher of the Year.

Aaryn hails from Vernal in Uintah County, Utah. As a high school student at Uintah High School, Aaryn organized 18 service projects for her school’s Honor Society, she coordinated a scholarship-writing workshop, taught ACT prep classes, and co-wrote the annual Senior Poem.

Aaryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Utah State University in 1999. After earning her degree, Aaryn became a volunteer at Utah State University’s Writing Center. She also worked as a substitute teacher for 12 years. When a part-time position teaching Advanced Placement sophomore English classes opened at her alma mater, Uintah High School, she applied for the position. She’s been teaching Advanced Placement Literature there since 2010.

Aaryn is a huge advocate for students. “Humanity is our greatest resource and we must invest and nurture all the beauty of potential as we send these souls to the world that needs their best,” she asserts.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Aaryn serves as a Board Member of the Uintah Literacy Commission. She also serves as the Director of the Vernal Storytelling Festival. She has also been a part of the Utah Education Association State Election Committee and has served as the Secretary for the Uintah County Education Association.

New Hampshire’s 2018 State Teacher of Year Heidi Crumrine

Posted on by
Heidi Crumrine

Outstanding educator Heidi Crumrine of Concord High School recognized as new Hampshire’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Outstanding educator Heidi Crumrine of Concord High School has been recognized as New Hampshire’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Heidi was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was raised in New Hampshire. She is a graduate of Concord High School,where she now teaches.

This exemplary educator earned her degree in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her Master’s degree of Education with an emphasis in Teaching Reading from Grand Canyon University. In a career as an English teacher that spans 16 years, Heidi has devoted 13 of them to her alma mater, Concord High School. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Heidi coaches field hockey at nearby Rundlett Middle School.

“Every day I enter the classroom with a focus on what is important: the young people in front of me who are our best hope for our future,” remarks Heidi. “To spark a love of reading for a young person is to set in motion a pathway for success that will follow her wherever she goes,” she says.

Concord’s principal Mr. Tom Sica can’t praise Heidi enough. “Heidi has invested herself in creating an environment in which students are known and valued. Her knowledge of curriculum and of student learners are key elements which help to explain why her students thrive and succeed,” Sica asserts. “Consistently, she works to develop and implement lessons that engage students and challenge them to think critically,” he concludes.

Congratulations, Chalkboard Champion Heidi Crumrine.

Texas educator Akash Patel recognized as 2018 Global Teacher Finalist

Posted on by

Akash Patel

Texas middle school teacher Akash Patel has been named a 2018 Global Teacher Finalist by The Varkey Foundation. The nonprofit Foundation recognizes outstanding teachers from all over the world each year who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession. Of the 50 finalists, the winning teacher receives a cash prize of $1 million.

Akash, who speaks five languages, teaches Spanish at Thomas J. Rusk Middle School, a Title I school located in Dallas, Texas. The school’s student population is 100% socio-economically disadvantaged. His students come from backgrounds that include gang activity, drug addiction, and juvenile offenders.

Akash inaugurated his teaching career in 2015 in small rural communities in Oklahoma. In his first year, he was recognized by the State Department of Education as their January Educator of the Month, and the Multicultural Education Institute as their Multicultural Teacher of the Year.

To promote global citizenship, Akash connects his classroom with professionals from around the world using social media platforms such as Skype, Google Hangout, and Adobe Connect. Over 1,000 volunteers from over 150 countries have joined his Global Connect database at the World Experiences Foundation, a charitable organization Akash founded.

In addition to his classroom duties, Akash is a frequent speaker at local and national conference, and he has trained over 5,000 teachers in Oklahoma to use his Global Connect database and other multicultural programs.

Learn more about this remarkable teacher by viewing the YouTube video below: