Tag Archives: Social Studies Teachers

VA Social Studies teacher and veteran Jimmy Kimbrough

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Virginia Social Studies teacher Jimmy Kimbrough previously served his country as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army. Photo credit: Troops to Teachers.

Some of the best educators in the classroom are those who previously served in the US military. One of these is Jimmy Kimbrough, a Social Studies teacher in Hampton, Virginia.

Jimmy spent his military career as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army. Through the military, the experienced soldier had his first experience as a teacher. From 2004 to 2007, he served as an instructor at the Armored Captains Career Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. At the end of his career, he served as a professor of Military Science at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

After completing his career in the Army, Jimmy decided he wanted to become a teacher for younger students. “I wanted to help young adults better prepare themselves for the challenges they will face upon graduation,” he recalls. “Over my life, I have benefited from the investment of time and effort by many teachers and mentors. I wanted to pay that forward,” he reveals. After training in the Troops to Teachers program, Jimmy accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Kecoughtan High School in Hampson, Virginia.

Jimmy believes a good teacher must be patient, caring, and passionate about learning. In addition, a teacher must possess a willingness to help students understand the classroom content. And in addition to that, he asserts, a teacher should adjust their styles to the needs of their students.

As a result of his classroom experience, Jimmy says he was surprised to learn that not all students are motivated by grades. “Students respond to positive comments, public praise, and a pat on the back,” he observes. “When I tell them that I am proud of them, that motivates them to try and do better.”

Jimmy earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1995. In 2007, he earned his first Master’s degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Managements from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He earned his second Master’s degree in Airpower and Space Studies from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2008.

 

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.