Tag Archives: Social Studies Teachers

Illinois teacher Irene Hunt became an acclaimed author

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Illinois teacher Irene Hunt became an acclaimed author. Photo credit: Bookologymagazine.com

Many teachers are familiar with the historical novels of Irene Hunt: Across Five Aprils, Up a Road Slowly, and The Lottery Rose, for example. But did you know that she was also a distinguished teacher?

Irene was born on May 18, 1907, in Pontiac, Illinois. As a young girl, she spent a great deal of time with her grandfather, who spent countless hours recounting stories of his childhood during the Civil War. These stories eventually became the basis of her historical novels.

Irene earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1939, and her Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1946. She taught English and French in public schools in Oak Park, Illinois, from 1930 to 1945. For the next four years she taught psychology at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. Then she returned to teaching in public schools in Cicero, Illinois, from 1950 to 1969, when she retired to write full time.

Irene’s first book, and her signature work, was Across Five Aprils, published in 1964, when she was 57 years old. The volume garnered high critical acclaim, winning the Follett Award and being named the sole Newbery honor book of 1965 by the American Library Association. It was followed by Up a Road Slowly, published in 1966, which received the Newbery Medal, among other honors.

Irene was a pro at using historical novels in the classroom. She once said, “While teaching social studies to junior high school students, I felt that teaching history through literature was a happier, more effective process.”

Irene Hunt passed away on Mary 18, 2001. It was her 94th birthday. To read more about her, see this biography at Bookology.

Former child star Christopher Castile declares teaching his true calling

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Former child star Christopher Castile says teaching is his true calling. He now teaches US History in California. Photo Credit: the Downey Legend

Many individuals who are talented actors go on to become excellent classroom teachers. One of these is Christopher Castile, a former child star who now teaches both at the high school and at the college level in California.

Christopher was born on June 15, 1980, in Orange County in Southern California. His career in acting began when he was only seven years old. He did a number of television commercials. But he earned his greatest fame for his role as Ted Newton in the 1992 family comedy Beethoven and the subsequent 1993 sequel Beethoven’s 2nd. He also portrayed Mark Foster in 160 episodes of the hit ABC television sitcom Step by Step. The show ran for seven seasons, from 1992 to 1998. In 1991, Christopher also appeared in three episodes of the ABC sitcom Going Places, where he portrayed Sam Roberts, in addition to numerous other appearances. Christopher also voiced the character of Eugene Horowitz on the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold!

When Christopher’s career in acting came to a conclusion, he earned first a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s degree, both from California State University at Long Beach. He then accepted a position at Downey High School in Downey, California, where he currently teaches US History. He also teaches political science courses at Biola University in La Mirada, California.

In addition to acting, Christopher is also an author. He published his autobiography for young adults entitled Being You is Most Definitely Cool in 1996.

Christopher once said that, despite his success as an actor, teaching is his true calling. He revealed that he finds teaching far more fulfilling than acting. He always finds a way to fill his class with humor and a positive environment, he says, and this makes his students pay attention and truly understand the lessons.

He also admits that teaching high school is more challenging than teaching at the college level. “Being a high school teacher, I actually have to be good at what I do,” he confessed. “In college it’s up to the students to get the material. Being a college professor, you don’t necessarily have to be good at teaching, but know what you’re talking about.”

To read more about Christopher Castile, see this story published by The Downey Legend.

Basketball coach Mike Hilmer garners a 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year honor

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Iowa basketball coach Mike Hilmer named one of 24 high school coaches by the National Federation of High Schools. Photo credit: Mike Hilmer

I always enjoy highlighting an exceptional coach who has earned accolades for his work with young athletes. Today I shine the spotlight on Mike Hilmer, an outstanding coach from Iowa. He has been named one of 24 high school coaches from around the country who have been honored as a 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year by the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools).

Mike was raised in Forest City, Iowa. After his high school graduation, he attended Cornell College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1991. Later he earned his administrative degree online through Grand Canyon University.

Mike inaugurated his career as a physical education teacher and boys basketball coach at Iowa’s Lincoln Central High School. He then completed stints at Estherville-Lincoln Central High School as a geography teacher and boys basketball coach.

In 1999, Mike accepted a position as a teacher of US History at North Linn High School in Troy Mills, Iowa. Additionally, he served as the Activities Director there since 2006. During his tenure at North Linn, Mike coached boys and girls golf, softball, and boys basketball. In the 16 years that Mike worked at North Linn, his teams have won 234 games and lost only nine. Since 2018, North Linn has reached the Iowa State Championship every year—an amazing seven consecutive seasons—winning a state title three times, including the year 2024.

Mike;’s prowess as an exceptional coach has not escaped attention. In the 33-year span of his coaching career career, Mike had been named State Coach of the Year six times. The is in addition to his recognition as a 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools.

This year, Mike left North Linn to become the Superintendent of Bellevue Schools in Bellevue, Iowa. He has also served on the  Board of Directors of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association for ten years, and the IHSAA Boys Basketball Advisory Committee for six years. 

Congratulations, Mike Hilmer: A true Chalkboard Champion!

Educator, Army veteran, and local politician Norton Younglove

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Educator, US veteran, and local politician Norton Younglove.of California. Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Many exemplary educators have served their county in the military and their community in public office. One of these is Norton Younglove, a teacher from California, Army veteran, and former local civil servant.

Norton was born in Riverside, California, on October 8, 1929. After he graduated from Riverside High School in 1947, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Williamette University in Salem, Oregon. He married his wife, Ardith, and the couple returned to Riverside, where Norton worked in his father’s business, Home Oil Company.

During the Korean Conflict, Norton became a member of the US Army Signal Corps and served in Korea. Once he completed his stint in the Army, Norton earned his teaching credentials and accepted a position at first Sierra Junior High School and then at Ramona High School, where he taught courses in US Government.

It was at this point in his life that Norton decided to become involved in local politics. He served on the Riverside City Council. He also served as a County Supervisor for six consecutive terms, retiring from the Board in 1994. In addition, he served as a member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and earned a reputation as a fighter who adamantly opposed air pollution. He was also instrumental in establishing a final resting place for many veterans at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside.

Throughout his life Norton was an accomplished sailor, winning the Snipes West Coast championship in his youth, and in the 1960s, he captured the title of the Labor Day Regatta with his three sons serving as his crew.

Norton passed away in Riverside, California, on January 17, 2025. He was 95 years old. To honor his legacy, the Norton Younglove Reserve in Beaumont, the Norton Younglove Community Center in Highgrove, and the Norton Younglove Senior Center in Calimesa—all located in Southern California—have been dedicated to his work.

Maryland educator Jessica Nichols garners honors

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High school Social Studies Jessica Nichols has been named the 2025 Howard County Public Schools System Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Jessica Nichols

I am always eager to share the story of an outstanding educator who works in one of our nation’s public schools. Today, I share the story of Jessica Nichols, a high school Social Studies teacher from Eldridge, Maryland. She has been named the 2025 Howard County Public Schools System (HCPSS) Teacher of the Year.

Jessica teaches at River Hill High School in Clarksville, Maryland. In a career that was inaugurated in 2001, she has spent the last ten of them at River Hill. There she serves on the school leadership team, sponsors clubs, coaches speeches and debates, and organizes professional development workshops.

Before Jessica accepted her position at River Hill she taught at Wilde Lake High School. There many of her students came from impoverished homes. “At Wilde Lake, I used to have a food closet because I would have kids who wouldn’t eat over the weekend,” remembers Jessica, “and I knew when they came to my class you have to do a hierarchy of needs. You have to meet the basic needs before they are going to want to care about AP economics, and government, and psychology,” she says. “No questions asked; if you needed something, you went in the food closet and picked up something to eat and then you jumped right back into the lesson,” she continued.

Her selection as the 2025 HCPSS Teacher of the Year is not the only honor Jessica has earned. In 2024, she was named the Coca Cola Teacher of Distinction, and she was named the Teacher of the Year at River Hill High School. In 2019, she garnered a 

Jessica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland in 2001. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University in 2020. In addition, she is a National Board Certified Teacher.