Tag Archives: Special Education Teachers

Jeannie Ritter: The Sp Ed teacher that became Colorado’s First Lady

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Jeannie Ritter, a former Special Education teacher, also served as the First Lady for the state of Colorado. During her tenure, she championed mental health awareness and reforms. Photo credit: Rose Community Foundation.

Many fine educators also serve their communities as public servants. One of these is Jeannie Ritter, who once served her state as the First Lady of Colorado, and a champion for mental health awareness and reforms.

Jeannie was born on June 14, 1958, in Arlington, Virginia. As the daughter of a US Navy Captain, the young girl moved frequently. She spent portions of her childhood in Texas, Georgia, California, Washington, Rhode Island, and North Carolina. She settled in Colorado in 1972. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

As a young woman, Jeannie served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia and later returned to Africa along with her husband as Catholic missionaries. She is also a former flight attendant and teacher. Her career as an educator spanned ten years, and she taught Special Education for students will severe challenges in Denver Public Schools.

In 2006, Jeannie’s husband, Bill Ritter, was elected Governor of Colorado on the Democratic ticket, and Jeannie became the state’s First Lady. She served in this capacity from Jan. 9, 2007, until Jan. 11, 2011. During her tenure, Jeannie helped raise awareness regarding mental health issues, confessing that her perspective on mental health was influenced by her training as a teacher for emotionally disturbed children and also by having an older sister who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Since her husband left office, Jeannie has remained active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Depression Center, CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation), Rose Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Colorado Coalition for Parity, the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, SIM Advisory Board, and Rocky Mountain PBS Board.

Katie McGarvey named Illinois Special Ed Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations to Katie McGarvey, who has been named 2021 Special Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. Photo credit: Journal & Topics.

When an educator is recognized for exceptional work in the classroom, this event is exciting to teachers everywhere. One educator who was recently honored was Katie McGarvey, a special education teacher from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She was been named a 2021 Special Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Katie teaches Special Education at Hoffman Estates High School in District 211. Her career there has spanned a mere three years. Her students have intellectual and developmental disabilities. “For me, students come first,” Katie declares.  “I love seeing them every day, which drives my passion for this job,” she continues. “I hope to use that passion to continue to grow in a way that can always help the students,” she concludes.

“Katie is all about service to others,” asserts colleague Colleen Little.  “It’s been great to see her in action and to see her recognized.” In addition to her honors from the Illinois State Board of Education, Katie has also been honored as a 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from Loyola University. She has also been inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, a prestigious professional organization for women educators.

Katie graduated from Palatine High School in the small town of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Loyola University Chicago in 2018.

Teacher Helen Hulick fought against “anti-slackism”

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Teacher Helen Hulick, who pioneered new strategies for working with deaf students, fought the good fight against “anti-slackism” for women. Photo credit:  Los Angeles Times.

Often times plucky educators will take a stand on social issues that benefit everyone. One of these was Helen Hulick, who helped eliminate the threat of  “anti-slackism” for women. What is “anti-slackism,” you ask? Read on to find out.

Helen was called to court as a witness in a burglary case in November, 1938. The 29-year-old had earned some renown as an innovative educator who pioneered auditory-verbal approaches for working with deaf children. She arrived at court in her usual attire of a blouse and slacks. But seeing slacks on a woman offended Judge Arthur S. Guerin so greatly that he wouldn’t allow the teacher to testify. Instead, he rescheduled her testimony and ordered her to wear a dress at her next appearance. However, Helen refused to comply with the court order. “You tell the judge I will stand on my rights,” the teacher declared. “If he orders me to change into a dress I won’t do it. I like slacks. They’re comfortable.”
The second time she appeared at court wearing slacks, the judge criticized Helen, for both her wardrobe and her attitude. “The last time you were in this court dressed as you are now and reclining on your neck on the back of your chair, you drew more attention from spectators, prisoners and court attaches than the legal business at hand,” the judge complained. “You were requested to return in garb acceptable to courtroom procedure. Today you come back dressed in pants and openly defying the court (…) “The court hereby orders and directs you to return tomorrow in accepted dress. If you insist on wearing slacks again you will be prevented from testifying (…) But be prepared to be punished according to law for contempt of court,” the judge warned. Again, Helen refused. “Listen, I’ve worn slacks since I was 15. I don’t own a dress except a formal,” she said. “If he wants me to appear in a formal gown that’s okay with me. I’ll come back in slacks and if he puts me in jail I hope it will help to free women forever of anti-slackism,” she declared.
For a third time, Helen went to court wearing slacks, but this time, she also brought with her Attorney William Katz. The attorney was armed with citations supporting Helen’s argument that she had the right to appear in the attire of her choice. Nevertheless, Judge Guerin held her in contempt of court and sentenced her to five days in jail. There she was forced to wear the denim dress worn by women prisoners. When her attorney declared they would be appealing the sentence, Helen was released on her own recognizance. But by then, Helen’s story had generated a great deal of attention, and hundreds of supporters sent letters of protest to the courthouse. As a result of the appeal, the Appellate Division overturned Judge Guerin’s contempt citation.
As a teacher, Helen Hulick continued to do amazing work throughout her career. In 1985, she was given an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Lafayette College “for her work as teacher, scientist and pioneer in the field of auditory therapy.” In 1988, when she was 80, the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf awarded her the organization’s highest tribute, Honors of the Association. Helen not only made a difference in the lives of so many students, but also for helping to free women of “anti-slackism” along the way.
Many thanks to author Dr. Rebecca Haines for sharing the story of this amazing educator.

Kentucky teacher and politician Tina Bojanowski

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Elementary school teacher Tina Bojanowski also serves in the Kentucky State House of Representatives. Photo credit: tinaforkentucky.com

Many fine educators also achieve success in careers in politics. One of these is Tina Bojanowski, an elementary school teacher who also serves her community in the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

Tina was born August 29, 1964, and she was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. After she graduated from Louisville Central High School in 1982, Tina earned first her Bachelor’s degree in 1986, and then her Master’s in Business Administration in 1991, both from the University of Louisville. In 2010, she earned a second Master’s degree, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education, and in 2017, she graduated with her Ph.D. Both the MAT and the Ph.D. were from Bellarmine University. Even as a student, Tina’s talent as an educator was evident. In 2009, she garnered the Bellarmine Outstanding Prospective Educator Award.

As an educator, Tina teaches Special Education at Watterson Elementary School in Louisville. The school is part of the Jefferson County Public School District. She has taught there for the past 11 years. Previously, she served as the Manager and Head Coach of the Kentucky Gymnastics Academy, a position she held for 29 years.

In 2018, Tina was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represents District 32. Her term will continue to 2022. Among the committees she is a member of are the Committee on Education; Transportation; and Health, Welfare, and Family Services. As a legislator, Tina steadfastly supports education. High quality public education for all is a critical component of our society,” she declares. “It is time to shift the focus in education away from testing and toward deeper learning for all students,” she continues.

This hardworking educator also belongs to several community organizations. For example, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Teachers Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

To learn more about Tina, see this article written about her published by Emerge Kentucky.

 

Covid-19 claims life of Ohio teacher Amanda Chowning

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Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of Amanda Chowning, a special education teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo credit: John H. Evans Funeral Home.

Sadly, we report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Amanda Chowning, a Special Education teacher and Intervention Specialist from Cincinnati, Ohio,, succumbed to the disease on May 25, 2021. She was just 36 years old.

Amanda was born on June 10, 1984, in Mariemont, Ohio. As a young girl, she graduated from Milford High School. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from the University of Cincinnati in 2009.

Amanda taught as Trojan Way High School located in North College Hill, Cincinnati. The school is an alternative learning center which offers intensive supports such as behavior modification groups, mental health counseling, and social skills training to equip students with the skills and strategies to successfully return to their home school, transition to a post-secondary educational setting, or enter into the world of work.

From 2011 to 2014, Amanda worked at The Children’s Home in Cincinatti. While employed at that facility, Amanda worked towards improving students’ lives through comprehensive education, behavioral services, and health services.

To read more about Amanda Chowning, see this obituary published by John H. Evans Funeral Home.