Tag Archives: STEM teachers

Benavides named 2022 Texas State Teacher of the Year

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High school STEM teacher Ramon Benavides of El Paso, Texas, has been named his state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Ramon Benavides

I always enjoy sharing stories about exemplary educators who have won honors for their work in the classroom. One of these is Ramon Benavides, a high school STEM teacher from El Paso, Texas, who has been named his state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Ramon teaches Biology and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) courses at Del Valle High School in the Ysleta Independent School District. His career there has spanned 12 years.

It is amazing that Ramon made his way into the classroom. He is the son of migrant farmworkers who were forced to drop out of school at a young age to help support their family. Later, Ramon saw his parents return to school, earn their diplomas and become teachers themselves. He took his cue from them.

Ramon says his work as an educator isn’t about the teaching, it’s about the positive exchanges. “The kids are the best part of my job, by far,” he says. “One of my greatest joys is getting to stand outside my classroom and as my kids come in we exchange that smile, and for that split second we know that everything is okay,” he continues.

The honored educator earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio, in 2001, and a second Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Texas, Brownsville, in 2003. He completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Teaching Science at University of Texas, El Paso, in 2016. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

Congratulations, Ramon!

Florida computer science teacher Tim Clyatt succumbs to Covid-19

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Florida computer science teacher Tim Clyatt succumbed to complications from Covid-19 on November 13, 2021. Photo credit: Jacksonville Memorial Gardens.

Sadly, we report that yet another beloved educator has succumbed to complications from Covid-19. Tim Clyatt, a teacher in the Clay County School District in Clay County, Florida, passed away on November 13, 2021. He was only 59 years old.

Tim was a computer science teacher at the Bannerman Learning Center in Green Cove Springs. The unique facility prepares non-traditional students for success in a global and competitive workplace by teaching students positive life skills and by teaching them to become life-long learners. The school reports an enrollment of minority students at 43%, and economically disadvantaged students at 56%.

Tim’s career as an educator spanned nearly 20 years. In a statement released by the school district, Tim was described by District officials as a “dedicated teacher who made a difference in the lives of many during his teaching career.” His students agree. “It’s tragic,” remarked Bannerman ninth grader Brooklyn Powers, who described her teacher as “most of the kids’ favorite teacher at the school.” The student added, “He understood kids very well.”

Tim was born April 16, 196,1 in Lake City, Florida. After his graduation from Columbia High School in his home town in 1979, he continued his education at Florida State University.

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Tim was a member of the National Education Association, the Florida State University Garnet Key Honor Society, the Clay County Education Association, and the Florida Education Association.

To read more about Tim Clyatt, see this link to a story about him published by The Florida Times Union.

PA’s Christine Houlahan: Educator, veteran, and politician

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Christine Houlahan of Pennsylvania: Educator, veteran, politician. Photo credit US Congress.

The Teach For America program has produced some very fine educators. One of these is Christine Houlahan, a high school science teacher from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She also serves as a representative in the US Congress.

Christine was born on June 5, 1967, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Her father was born to a Jewish family in Poland, and at age four, he emigrated to avoid the Holocaust. After serving as a naval aviator, he became a historian and author.

As a young woman, Christine completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in Engineering at Stanford University in California in 1989. She earned her Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Christine also served three years in the United States Air Force and 13 years in the Air Force Reserve. She retired from the military in 2004 after earning the rank of captain.

After completing her military career, Christine accepted a job in the private sector. While there, she completed 40 hours of paid community service working with young girls in a local Science, Engineering, and Technology (STEM) program. Later she enrolled in the Teach for American program. Through this program, she taught eleventh grade chemistry and other science courses at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia.

After she left the Teach for America program, Christine joined Springboard Collaborative, a Philadelphia-based non-profit focusing on early childhood literacy in underserved populations nationwide. She served as both President and CFO/COO of that organization before leaving to focus on her political campaign.

In 2018, Christine was elected to the Democratic ticket to serve as a representative in the US Congress from Pennsylvania’s 6th District. During the one term that she served, her platform  included an emphasis on health care, campaign finance reform, and the creation of more jobs. She also stressed the importance of education, veterans’ affairs, and family issues. While in Congress, she was part of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Small Business Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Christine Houlahan: Veteran, politician, and Chalkboard Champion

Louisiana teacher Lea Ann Fisher earns Golden Apple Award

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Lea Ann Fisher

I love to share stories about teachers who earn recognition for their dedication and hard work in the classroom. One of these is Lea Ann Fisher, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Bolton High School in Alexandria, Louisiana. She was named a recipient of the Golden Apple Award by her local television station KALB last November. This award honors outstanding teachers that go above and beyond in the classroom. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted by their students.

Lea Ann was nominated for the honor by her student Ironesha Woods. She stated that the impact Lea Ann has had on her life extends far beyond the classroom. “My teacher Mrs. Fisher is the most beautiful and kind woman I’ve ever met, and every time I feel like giving up, she always tells me that she loves me and she cares,” said Ironesha. “She was there when my mom passed and I love her for that. She means everything to me. She makes everything possible for my future, for the school future,” Ironesha continued.

Lea Ann’s career as an educator spans 14 years. She teaches engineering design, computer science, and Quest for Success. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she serves as the advisor for her school’s Robotics and E-Sports clubs.

Th Golden Apple is not the only recognition Lea Ann has earned. She was named Bolton High’s Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year. And she is also a member of the prestigious professional organization Delta Kappa Gamma, serving as her local chapter’s Second Vice President.

Lea Ann earned her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Louisiana State University. There she minored in Theater, Photography, and English. She also earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from American InterContinental University, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State University.

Congratulations, Lea Ann!

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Maureen Stover named 2021 National Teacher of the Year finalist

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Maureen Stover, a science educator from North Carolina, has been named one of four finalists for 2021 National Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Cumberland County Schools.

I enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have garnered honors for their work in the classroom. One of these is Maureen Stover, a science educator from North Carolina, who has been named one of four finalists for 2021 National Teacher of the Year.

Currently, Maureen teaches biology, earth science, environmental science, and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at Cumberland International Early College High School in Cumberland County Schools located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has taught there for five years.

Maureen says she wants her students to be able to make informed decisions in a world where they’ll interact with science every day. “I want to ensure that my students are prepared to talk about science, to read about science, to understand science, and to make decisions based on science,” Maureen said. “It will be important for each of my students to develop the ability to apply their science knowledge to a variety of situations, from understanding a doctor’s diagnosis to determining the environmental impact of a purchase as simple as a one-time-use water bottle,” she continued.
The honored educator uses a variety of approaches to teach her students, including reading activities, videos, direct instruction, teacher presentations, podcasts, and hands-on learning. She evaluates students with non-traditional performance assessments that display students’ preferred learning styles. For one unit, she said, students worked in pairs to write a song or a poem to demonstrate their understanding of the material. One student played her ukulele; another played her flute. “Because students had an opportunity to show their knowledge by developing their own project,” Maureen explained, “they took ownership of the assignment and were excited to demonstrate their knowledge of the concept.”
Maureen once said that her dream was to join the US Air Force and become a pilot. Unfortunately, a vision condition prevented her from achieving that goal. Instead, she served as an intelligence officer. She spent a total of 20 years in the military.
When Maureen left the Air Force, she started teaching in Florida through the federal Troops to Teachers program. After a stint in California where she worked as an educational consultant for the National Science Teaching Association, Maureen and her husband moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the former Air Force officer accepted a teaching position at Cumberland International Early College High School. She has taught there for five years.

In 1997, Maureen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the US Air Force Academy. She earned a Leadership Certificate with an emphasis in STEM from Teachers College at New York’s Columbia University in 2016. The same year, she completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in STEM at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. In 2020, she earned her Master’s degree in Teaching: Secondary Sciences Instruction from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Congrats on your selection as a Teacher of the Year finalist, Maureen!