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.

American educator Jimmy Hill has been killed in the Russian attacks on Chernihiv, Ukraine. Photo Credit: Daily Beast

Jim Hill, an American educator, has been killed in the Russian attacks on Chernihiv, Ukraine, a city about two hours north of Kyiv. Jimmy was among dozens of civilians killed by an onslaught of Russian artillery fire on Thurs., March 17. He was 68 years old.

Jimmy was in the country to teach, but stayed even after the invasion, despite deteriorating conditions and increasing danger. He wanted to be by the side of his long-time partner, Iryna Teslenko. She had been hospitalized to receive treatment for a chronic condition, and she was too ill to flee the invasion.

Despite the growing risk beyond the hospital walls, Jimmy ventured out in search of food. He was waiting in a bread line with several others when they were targeted by Russian gunfire, said his sister Cheryl Hill Gordon in a Facebook post. After the attack was over, the beloved teacher was found dead with his US passport on his body, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Congratulations to high school Social Studies teacher Sara Russell, who has been named Iowa’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Pleasant Valley Community School District

Congratulations to Sara Russell, who has been named the Iowa State Teacher of the Year for 2022.

Sara teaches Advanced Placement Geography and Modern US History to grades 9-12 at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa. She has been teaching there since 2005.  Prior to that, she taught at Benton Community High School located in Van Horne, Iowa. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 20 years.

In her classroom, Sara emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning, hands-on instruction, critical thinking skills, and the power of productive struggle. She is passionate about the inclusion and acceptance of all students.

Sara’s commitment to her program is clearly evident. “I believe in the idea that you will never truly understand a concept or idea until you can apply it to your own life or the world around you,” she asserts. “While direct instruction is a necessary component of learning, I structure as much of my class time as possible around student activities that demand students make their own meaning of concepts or ideas, usually in a cooperative environment,” she continued. “With all of the activities, I strive to have students discuss, defend, explain, and apply their learning,” she concluded.

In addition to teaching, Russell serves as a mentor teacher, helps to plan and implement professional development as a member of her school’s Teacher Leadership System (TLS), and advises student groups about equity, inclusion, and civic engagement. Also, Sara has presented at the annual conference for the National Council for Social Studies in 2014. The topic of her presentation was organizing US History classes to be more inclusive.

Sara earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She earned her Master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, with a thesis focusing on multicultural education and social justice.