George Anderson, a social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been  honored as Iowa’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional classroom teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is George Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has been honored as his state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

George was born in Peoria, Illinois, but was raised just south of Myrtle Beach, in Murrells Inlet/Garden City, South Carolina. He graduated from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach in 1994. After high school, George enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. In Fall, 1994, he completed boot camp in Paris Island, South Carolina.

Once he earned his discharge from the military in 1999, George relocated to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City. There he pursued a degree in history. He also completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Social Science Education in 2006 from the same university.

Once he completed his education, George accepted a position at John F. Kennedy High School, where he still teaches today. “I decided I wanted to go back into the community, and find the students that maybe aren’t in love with high school or the idea of secondary education — or really just [have] no big trajectory in life — and try to help those students out,” he confessed. His career at JFK has spanned 13 years.

Within his district, George has a reputation for creating innovative and dynamic curriculum. “As a teacher, I like active rooms, students moving around and discussing the material with other students,” he expressed. “I like to see students engage with the material of history in a way that isn’t just fact recollection or sequencing events. I want student-centered dynamics in the classroom. I do not want to be the center of attention,” he continued.

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, George has served as a the Co-Department Chair for Social Studies, Head Coach for the freshmen and sophomore football teams, and the Assistant Varsity Coach. He also coached shot put and discus for his school’s track & field team, winning two state championships and numerous state and Drake appearances. George has sponsored the Green Club, Young Republicans, and the Video Game Club. He has also served as a building representative for his local teachers’ union.

Way to go, George! To learn more about him, see his biography at CCSSO.

Retired junior high school social studies teacher and school board member Sue Prokosch of Newburgh, New York, succumbs to Covid-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of many talented educators. One of these is Sue Prokosch, a retired teacher and school board member from Newburgh, New York. She passed away on March 30, 2020. She was 72 years old.

“Sue was an extraordinary woman with a large heart,” remembers her niece, Gina Cook. “She had strong ethics, beliefs, and views and was very candid. We always knew where we stood with her. We valued her opinion and worked hard to make her proud.”

Sue was born on January 14, 1948, in Newburgh, New York. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1966. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Teaching at State University of New York, Oneonta.

Sue inaugurated her career as an educator in 1970 when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher at North Junior High. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she worked closely with administrators on scheduling, curriculum, and peer mentoring. She also served her community as a basketball coach, even supporting girls sports before they were commonplace. Throughout her entire career, Sue was known to be dedicated to her students, especially those without a voice, and she worked tirelessly to help them achieve purpose in their lives.

After 33 years in the classroom, the veteran educator retired in 2003. Post-retirement, she spent ten years as a Newburgh school board member. During this time, Sue served on nearly every Board committee. Most recently, she served as the Chairwoman for the Buildings and Grounds and Personnel committees. She also supported the Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC), an organization that provide high-quality academic enrichment opportunities to the children and families of Newburgh.

To read more about Sue, see her obituary at recordonline.com.

High school teacher Nicholas Ferroni speaks to US News and Current Events Today about how his job has shifted amid the coronavirus pandemic. He’s been an educator at Union High School in Union, New Jersey, for the past 17 years. Courses he teaches include US History, Cultural Studies, JHistory Through Pop Culture, and Mass Media. Here’s a short video that shows how he continues to educate his students and keep spirits high in the age of social distancing. Enjoy!

Middle school Social Studies teacher Erin McCarthy just named Wisconsin’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I enjoy sharing stories of exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work. One of these is Erin McCarthy, a junior high school social studies teacher from Wisconsin. She was named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Erin teaches eighth grade Social Studies at Greendale Middle School in Greendale, Wisconsin. The honored educator says her mission as an educator is “to connect students to their place in history so they take action to impact their local and global community.”

Erin reveals that she is able to spark her students’ curiosity for American history by connecting them to diverse historical figures, especially those whose voices have been left out of the American story. To add these missing voices into the curriculum, the innovative teacher asks her students to rewrite a chapter from their own textbook. Their goal is to make the story more complete. Erin says this unique project is particularly engaging for reluctant learners.

In addition to classroom responsibilities, Erin serves on her school district’s committees for diversity and equity. She is involved in training teachers to provide students with disabilities opportunities to grow and succeed. Erin is a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, and she participates in numerous professional development opportunities throughout the country.

Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Roosevelt University. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Public History from Loyola University at Chicago.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, check out this link to CCSSO.