Tag Archives: Special Education Teachers

Jazzmyne Townsend named DC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Elementary Special Education teacher Jazzmyne Townsend has been recognized as Washington DC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, and one of four finalists for the title of 2025 National Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Jazzmyne Townsend

There are many outstanding educators working today in America’s public schools. Some of them have been singled out for special recognition. One of these is Jazzmyne Townsend, an elementary teacher from Washington DC. She has been named the District’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She has also been named one of four national finalists for the title of 2025 National Teacher of the Year.

Jazzmyne teaches second and third grade Special Education at Stanton Elementary School. Prior to teaching at Stanton, she taught pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade at Randle Highlands Elementary School from 2013—2023 and preschool and pre-K at Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain Campus from 2010—2013. So far, Jazzmyne’s career as an educator spans 16 years. 

In her classroom, Jazzmyne employs research-based and developmentally appropriate strategies to meet the diverse needs of her learners. Her proficiency in integrating culturally responsive pedagogy has increased academic achievement and fostered a sense of belonging among her students. And because she recognizes the unique challenges faced by youngsters in urban settings, Jazzmyne has been a steadfast advocate for resources that support the children from this environment.

Jazzmyne’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. For example, when she noticed many girls who were struggling with challenges both inside and outside the classroom, she started “My Sister’s Keeper,” a group to serve as a safe place for the girls to form friendships, ask questions, be vulnerable, and develop as young women.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Jazzmyne is also a published author. She has written a book for children entitled Hattie Leads the Way. The volume, published in 2023, can be found on amazon.

Jazzmyne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Howard University in 2009. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education (ACS) in 2013. Currently, she is working on her PhD.

MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren was once a Special Ed teacher

Posted on by

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was once an elementary school Special Education teacher. Photo credit: Harvard Law School

Many people have heard of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts in the US Senate and who was a presidential candidate in 2020. But did you know that this remarkable woman was once a Special Education teacher?

Elizabeth was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 22, 1949. She was in the second grade, she says, when she decided she wanted to become a teacher. “That was my dream,” she reveals. Unfortunately, when she was only 12 years old, her father was debilitated by a heart attack. Her mother had to take a minimum-wage job to support the family. Her mother was able to save the home they lived in from repossession, but there was no money left over for college tuition.

Fortunately, when she was a high school student, Elizabeth won a scholarship to George Washington University, which she attended for one year. Then she enrolled at a Texas university. “After I graduated from the University of Houston—a public university that cost $50 a semester—I taught special needs kids at a public school in New Jersey. The children I worked with were four to six years old and had some pretty significant challenges,” she remembers. “But because we had help from the federal government, they could get the kind of one-on-one care they needed—and a better opportunity to build a real, independent future,” she concludes.
In 2012, Elizabeth was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Massachusetts in the US Senate. She has served in this capacity since 2013. In the Senate, she is a member of the Special Committee on Aging; the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Holly Witcher named Georgia’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Holly Witcher has been named Georgia’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Georgia College and State University

I am always excited to share the story of an outstanding teacher who has earned accolades for their work with young people. Today, I share the story of Holly Witcher, an elementary school teacher from Georgia. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected for this honor from approximately 110,000 teacher applicants.

Holly instructs a self-contained Special Education class for kindergarten through second grade at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School in White County, Georgia. “I have the best job in the world,” declares Holly. “And everybody says, ‘You have a hard job.’ It is, but it’s absolutely the most rewarding to develop relationships with not just students, but their families, including their brothers and sisters because you must all be in it together,” she continues.

During her senior year in college, Holly took advantage of an opportunity to teach in Sweden. She was curious about education in other countries and how it compared to schools in the United States. When she returned to the United States, she used Swedish concepts to challenge the status quo in American schools. In addition to teaching in traditional public schools, Holly also taught online for 10 years at Georgia Cyber Academy. There, she served as a lead teacher for four years and as an elementary school assistant administrator of special programs for four years.

Her recognition as Georgia’s Teacher of the Year is not the only honor Holly has earned. She was named Teacher of the Year at Peek’s Chapel Elementary in Rockdale County in 2006 and District Teacher of the Year in White County in 2023. 

The honored teacher earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University in 2001. She earned her Master’s degree in Integrated Curriculum with a focus on Special Education from the American College of Education in 2021. She has also earned endorsements in Gifted In-Field Education and teaching English to speakers of other languages. Additionally, she obtained the Teacher Support Specialist Service Certificate, which equips her with the knowledge to mentor new teachers. Her career as an educator spans 24 years.
  

Teacher Helen Hulick worked to eliminate “anti-slackism” for women

Posted on by

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 in deaf schools in Oregon and California, 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.