Tag Archives: Social Studies Teachers

Della Au Belatti: Former teacher, member of Hawaii’s House of Reps Della Au Belatti

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Former teacher and current member of Hawaii’s state House of Representatives Della Au Belatti. Photo credit: Della Au Belatti.

Many talented educators also pursue a career in politics. One of these is Della Au Belatti, a high school teacher from Hawaii who has been elected to serve in her state’s House of Representatives.

Della, a Filipino American, was born on March 14, 1974, in Manoa, Hawaii. As a young woman, she garnered a position as an intern in the officer of US Senator Daniel Akaka. Akaka himself was an educator before his election to the US House of Representatives. Della worked in the Senator’s office from 1993 to 1996. During these years, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at Princeton University in 1996. She completed the requirements for her student teaching program at Trenton Central High School in Trenton, a public school located in New Jersey, also in 1996. She later earned a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law connected with the University of Hawaii, Manoa (2003).

Once she completed her internship with Senator Akaka, Della accepted a position as a Social Studies teacher at her alma mater, Maryknoll High School, in Honolulu. Maryknoll is a Catholic, co-educational high school. She taught there from 1996 to 2000.

In 2005, Della was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Hawaii State House of Representatives. She has represented District 24, which encompasses Makiki, McCully, Tantalus, Papakolea, Pawa‘a, and Manoa, since 2006. There she has served on several important committees, including Education; Higher Education and Technology; Economic Development; Labor and Tourism; Legislative Management; and the Select Committee on Covid-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness. She has also served as the Majority Leader since 2017. During her years as a legislator, Della has been involved with drafting and passing legislation that impacts families, children, and women. She is specifically interested in furthering marriage equality and reproductive health care rights for women.

For her tireless work in support of her state’s public library services, Rep. Belatti earned the Friends’ Mahalo Award. In addition, the former teacher was named a co-winner of the Amy C. Richardson Award in 2002.

To learn more about Della, see her page at the Hawaii State Legislature.

 

Congresswoman and former teacher Marge Roukema

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Former Social Studies teacher Marge Roukema represented New Jersey for 22 years in the United States House of Representatives. Photo credit: Public Domain.

Many fine educators go on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Marge Roukema, a high school Social Studies teacher who served in the US House of Representatives for 22 years.

Marge was born Margaret Scafati on Sept. 19, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey. As a teenager, she graduated from West Orange High School in West Orange, New Jersey. In 1951, Marge earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Montclair State College in Montclair, New Jersey. She also completed graduate courses at Rutgers University in Newark.

Once she earned her degree, Marge taught Social Studies in Ridgewood Public Schools. She also served as a member of her local Board of Education from 1970 to 1973.

In 1980, Marge was elected on the Republican ticket to serve in the US House of Representatives. She represented first the 7th district (1981-1983), and then the 5th District (1983-2003). In total, her tenure as a Congresswoman covered 22 years. While in Congress, the former teacher devoted herself to helping the underprivileged gain access to affordable housing, and she also worked for welfare reform, education reform, job training, and the enforcement of child support. In addition, she was a strong champion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Her support for this legislation was due, in part, by her experiences with her 17-year-old son, Todd, and his battle with leukemia. Sadly, Todd succumbed to the disease in October, 1976.

Marge passed away from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease on November 12, 2014, in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She was 85 years old.

Scott Thannum of Texas garners DAR Outstanding Teacher Award

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Congratulations to Texas educator Scott Thannum, who has garnered an Outstanding American History Teacher Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Photo credit: Southlake Style.

I always enjoy sharing stories about teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Scott Thannum, a teacher from Texas who has garnered an Outstanding American History Teacher Award from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

In a career that has spanned over 31 years, Scott has taught at Carroll Independent School District for the past seven of them. He teaches Advanced Placement and College Prep US History courses at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas.

Scott is thoroughly dedicated to the profession of teaching. “It’s a passion of mine,” he revealed. “So many things happening in this day and age have precedent in the past. Understanding the past helps us to build a better future. That’s my goal for my students — not only knowing history, but putting themselves into the story, finding their own voice and make this country a better place going forward,” he continued.

His students value the dedication. “He made a personal connection with everyone he taught, which made us feel valued,” remarked of Scott’s students. “His honest and unbiased retelling of history was refreshing and appreciated by students from all backgrounds, and it made us want to become better citizens in both our community and our country as a whole,” the student continued. “To us, he is much more than a teacher… he is a mentor and a role model,” the student concluded.

To learn more about Scott Thannum, see this article about him published by Southlake Style.

Jennifer Wolfe named New York’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Wolfe, a social studies educator from Oceanside, New York. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: New York State United Teachers.

Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Wolfe, a social studies educator from Oceanside, New York. She has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Jennifer’s career as an educator has spanned 24 years. She currently teaches pre-Advanced Placement World History to ninth graders at Oceanside High School in Oceanside, New York. “Jen’s commitment to her profession is simply awe-inspiring,” expressed Andy Pallotta, President of New York State United Teachers. “Her dedication to her practice, and her passion for constantly elevating not only her career but the career of her colleagues, is why teachers in New York State’s public schools consistently rank among the nation’s very best,” he continued. “Teachers like Jen change students’ lives, and ensure they not only have the opportunity, but the tools and readiness to succeed,” Pallotta concluded.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, the honored educator attended the 2015 US Department of Education’s Teach to Lead Boston Summit. Later she hosted her own ED Leadership Lab at Adelphi University. She co-created the Long Island Teacher Leadership Powered by Teach to Lead Conference in 2017. The Conference brought together educators to work with national, state, and local leaders. From 2015-2018, Jennifer held a position of prominence on the Network to Transform Teaching Grant from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In addition, she presents at state and national conferences and is featured on TeachingChannel.org.

This is not the only award Jennifer has garnered for her work in the classroom. She was named the New York State Council for Social Studies High School Teacher of the Year in 2005. She also garnered Fulbright-Hays Scholarships in 2000 and 2004, and was selected for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in 2004.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Earlham College in 1991, and her Master’s degree in Teaching in 1996. She also holds an honorary Ph.D. from Clarkson University. She is the first teacher in her district to earn a National Board Certification.

Educator, veteran Demetrius Ball shares Memorial Day lessons

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Educator and US Army veteran Demetrius Ball shares lessons about his experiences in the military as part of the school’s Memorial Day observance.  Photo Credfit: PBS News Hour.

Like many teachers around on the country on this Memorial Day, educator and military veteran Demetrius Ball will probably be sharing lessons about the holiday with their students. And Demetrius has a lot to share, since he, himself, is a military veteran.

Demetrius served five years of active duty in the US Army as a field artillery officer, completing tours of duty in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and Kuwait from 2005 to 2007. He left the military in 2007, having achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Once he concluded his military service, Demetrius launched his career as a Social Studies teacher. He spent his first three years in Tracy, California, then five years in Baltimore City and Howard County in Maryland, and then returned to California. He currently serves as the principal of Iron Horse Middle School in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Through it all, he has been willing to share stories about his experiences in the military. “My first year teaching I decided to put together a presentation titled A Soldier’s Experience,” remembers Demetrius. “I take an entire class period to share my military experience with my students. The last few years I have worn my Dress Blue or Green uniform. I discuss the difficult transition that I had adapting to life as a cadet, like struggling to qualify on the range with an M16 rifle, not feeling prepared for the academic rigor, and even failing my first class ever,” he continued. “I describe my job as a field artillery officer, and the variety of missions I conducted on deployment in Iraq,” he concludes. You can read more about this Chalkboard Champion’s military experience by reading this article published by PBS News Hour.

Naturally, Demetrius takes military holidays very seriously. “When we acknowledge Veterans Day, and Memorial Day, especially, I think of all the men and women who served with energy, bravery and commitment, and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Including the freedom to teach and learn,” expressed Demetrius. We thank you for that, Demetrius.

Demetrius earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Engineering from United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. He earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Phoenix in 2008. He is currently working on his Ph.D. from Liberty University.