Tag Archives: Social Studies Teachers

Jerad Koepp of Washington named his state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations are due to History and Social Studies teacher Jerad Koepp of Washington, who has been named his state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.  Photo Credit: North Thurston Public Schools

Congratulations are due to History and Social Studies teacher Jerad Koepp of Washington, who has been named his state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Jerad, a Native American who is also known by the name of Wukchumni, has been a teacher of Native American education for over 12 years. Since 2013 he has served as the Native student program specialist for North Thurston Public Schools in Lacey, Washington. In this role, he provides cultural and academic support for approximately 230 Native American students from more than 50 tribes, nations, bands, and villages enrolled in the 22 schools within the district. His students can be found at all grade levels from kindergarten to high school seniors, and in schools throughout the district. “My classroom is indoors, outdoors, in a commons or cafeteria, sometimes a library,” Jerad says. “My classroom is wherever learning is happening.”

In addition to his work in the classroom, Jerad serves as the district’s tribal liaison. He also provides training and support for colleagues, designing, leading, and presenting numerous workshops to help create culturally-responsive programs for school districts, state agencies, organizations, and institutions of higher education. He obviously takes the work he does for area Native Americans very seriously. “Public education still has a long ways to go, but in Washington state we’ve been making steady progress,” declares Jerad. “Especially with the implementation of the Since Time Immemorial curriculum, which is a statewide mandate to teach tribal history and sovereignty in our education system,” he explained. “It’s a great resource that’s been approved by all 29 tribes.”

Jerad earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2004 in Native Education in 2004 and his Master’s degree specializing in Native Education in 2008, both from Evergreen State College located in Olympia, Washington.

 

NJ’s Robert Fenster inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

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New Jersey Social Studies educator Robert Fenster is one of only five 2022 inductees into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) Photo Credit: NTHF

After a Covid-related hiatus in 2021, the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) has resumed honoring teachers for their exemplary work in the classroom. The five inductees for the class of 2022 have been announced. One of them is Robert Fenster, a high school teacher from Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Robert earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science in 1991 from Rutgers University. He earned his Master’s degree in Social Studies Education in 1993, also from Rutgers. His career in education started in 1993 at Hillsborough High, where he teaches Social Studies to sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, New Jersey. His entire 28-year career has been spent at this school.

In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Robert serves as the advisor for his school’s Mock Trial team, Model United Nations, Model Congress, the Amnesty International Club, and the Podcasting Club. He also serves on the Township Recreation Committee. As if all this were not enough, Robert is a member of the National Education Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the National Council for History Education.

“Mr. Fenster’s teaching had such a profound impact on my life that I have mentioned it while testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee,” declared his former student Nina Jankowicz. “I credit his classes and mentorship during my high school years not only with my interest in Political Science and international relations in college, which led me down the career path that took me to the halls of Congress, but also for instilling in me (and my classmates) the importance of being an active citizen,” she continued. “He is not only an excellent educator, but an empowering mentor, emboldening each student – male or female, quiet or outspoken, history buff or not – to truly shine,” Jankowicz concluded.

The honored educator’s induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame is one of numerous honors this Chalkboard Champion has earned. He garnered the 2021 Paul A. Gagnon Prize from the National Council for History Education; the 2019 Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New Jersey Council for Social Studies; the 2019 Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year Award from American Lawyers Alliance; and the 2017 Claes Nobel Top Ten Educator of the Year Award from the National Society of High School Scholars.

This honor is not the only one Robert has earned. He received the 2021 Paul A. Gagnon Prize from the National Council for History Education, the 2019 Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New Jersey Council for Social Studies, the 2019 Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year Award from American Lawyers Alliance, and the 2017 Claes Nobel Top Ten Educator of the Year Award from the National Society of High School Scholars. To read m ore about Robert Fenster, see the link to Central Jersey.com.

The National Teachers Hall of Fame was founded in Emporia in 1989 to honor outstanding educators through a recognition program and museum. Nominees must be certificated public or non-public school teachers, active or retired, with at least 20 years of experience in teaching grades preK-12. Since the inaugural induction ceremonies in 1992, 140 educators from 40 states and the District of Columbia have been inducted. This year’s class of inductees represents the 30th anniversary of NTHF induction ceremonies when both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2022 will be officially installed.

CA Social Studies teacher Lois Volk also a successful politician

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Former Social Studies teacher Lois Wolk also served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate. Photo credit: State of California.

Many excellent educators also enjoy careers as successful politicians. This is the case with Lois Wolk, a secondary school Social Studies teacher who has also served in both the California State Assembly and the California State Senate.

Lois was born on May 12, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Antioch College in 1968 and her Master’s degree from the School of International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in 1971.

Once she earned her degrees, Lois inaugurated her teaching career. She has taught history, Social Studies, and French in both public and private schools. She taught first at the Edmund Burke School, and, from 1979 to 198,1 she taught in the Davis Joint Unified School District.

Lois launched her career in politics when she was elected a member of the Davis City Council. Her tenure there spanned the years 1990 to 1998. Twice she was elected Mayor of Davis: 1992 to 1994 and 1996 to 1998. Next, she served as a member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. In 2002, Lois was elected on the Democratic ticket to the California State Assembly. She served there representing the 8th Assembly District from 2002 to 2008. While there, she was a member of the Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. Next, she was elected to the California State Senate, where she represented the 5th Senate District from 2008 to 2012 and then the 3rd Senate District from 2008 to 2016. While there she served on the Committee for Aging and Long-Term Care; Budget and Fiscal Review; and Agriculture. Also, as a Jewish woman, she was a member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

In addition to her work as a legislator, Lois belongs to a number of important organizations, including the California County Boards of Education (2013); the Child Abuse Prevention Council (2013); the Rotary Club; and Soroptimist International.

Lois has also earned a number of prestigious awards, including the John Muir Heritage Award (2015); the Legislator of the Year Award from the California County Boards of Education (2013); the Legislator of the Year Award from the Child Abuse Prevention Council (2013); and the Robin Jenkins Memorial Award from Solano Partnership Against Violence (2011).

At age 75, Lois continues to live in Davis, California, with her husband, Bruce Wolk. The couple has two sons.

Christian Wright-Sa’alea of American Samoa earns territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year award

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High school social studies teacher Christian Wright-Sa’alea of American Samoa earns her territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: American Samoa Department of Education

I always enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have earned honors for their work in the classroom. One of these is Christian Wright-Sa’alea, a high school Social Studies teacher from American Samoa. She has been named her territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Christian teaches history to freshmen, juniors, and seniors at Tafuna High School in Tafuna in the Western District.

Since 2016, Christian’s students have excelled in the National History Day (NHD) competition, earning top rankings locally and Outstanding Entry recognitions nationally. She was named a teacher representative at the 2018 NHD competition in Maryland, and a judge at the Louisiana State NHD competition in 2020. In addition, she was one of two representatives from American Samoa who were nominated for the MacGregor NHD History Teacher of the Year Award in 2020.

And these are not her only accomplishments. In 2018, Christian became a member of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the leading organization dedicated to K-12 education in American history. The organization recognized Christian their US Territories History Teacher of the Year in 2020.

Tafuna High School Principal Tutuila Togilau says he is not surprised that Christian has been selected for Teacher of the Year honors. “This is a reflection of Christian’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to lifelong learning,” asserts Togilau. “Christian is very creative, artistic, and highly respected by her colleagues,” the principal continued.

As for Christian, she credits her former teachers for her success in the classroom. “To all my former teachers, I am your product,” she declares. “I’m here because of you and I will continue that same cycle for my kids as well, with the hopes that in the future, they too will inspire others and become great citizens of tomorrow,” she concludes.

Robert Constantine: Teacher, master gardener, and tireless volunteer

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Retired social studies teacher Robert Constantine of Redlands, California, also served his community as a master gardener and tireless volunteer.  Photo Credit: Claremont Courier

Many superb educators also serve their community as tireless volunteers. One of these was retired social studies teacher and master gardener Robert Constantine of Redlands, California.

Robert was born on April 4, 1946, in Redland, California. Following his high school graduation in 1964, he attended University of Redlands from 1964 to 1968. While in college, he ran cross country and track and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Sigma fraternity. In his junior year, he was tapped for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society recognizing superior leadership and exemplary character. In his senior year, Robert garnered the Collis Steere Award, given to the senior athlete with the highest grade point average.

It was also at Redlands where Robert met classmate Peggy Rivers, who would become his wife of 52 years. Following graduation, both attended University of La Verne to earn their teaching credentials. After graduation from La Verne in 1969, the couple married and joined the Peace Corps. Together they served in Brazil from 1970 to 1972 in a program dedicated to planting gardens in elementary schools. During those years, he also taught English at the local high school.

Upon their return from Brazil, Robert accepted a position as a teacher in Pomona Unified Schools. After a stint in the US Air Force Reserves in 1972, he returned to teaching in 1973, this time in Covina. There he taught history and social studies for the Charter Oak Unified School District, where he taught both regular and International Baccalaureate courses. He also coached cross country, track, soccer, and basketball. His career there spanned 34 years. He retired in 2007.

Even in retirement, Robert remained active. He became a volunteer for the food pantry run by Inland Valley Hope Partners. He served on their board from 2013 to 2021, including two years as chairman. In addition, he helped facilitate the partnership between Hope Partners and Amy’s Farm, where he recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. He also helped build the South Pomona Community Garden and supervised volunteers there. In 2015 the nonprofit recognized him with its highest honor, the Hope Partners Founders Award.

In 2017, the former educator became a Certified Master Gardner with the University of California. In this role, he was a member of the orchard team, taught Grow LA Victory Garden classes at Fairplex, and taught gardening in the master gardener booth at the LA County Fair.

Robert Constantine, teacher, master gardener, and tireless volunteer, passed away on March 11, 2022, from congestive heart failure.