Tag Archives: Veterans

Sp Ed teacher Tiffany Barnes named West Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year

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Special Education teacher Tiffany Barnes has been named West Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: CCSSO NTOY

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. Middle school teacher Tiffany Barnes of West Virginia is just such an educator. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Tiffany teaches Special Education at Wheeling Middle School in Ohio County, West Virginia. In her classroom, the honored educator says the relationships she has formed with her students are the most important element. “Connection is everything,” she says. “If a student doesn’t feel connected, they’re not going to learn. So it’s important to take the extra time to love them and connect with them and get to know them on a personal level,” she continues.

On her campus, Tiffany founded and coaches the Girls on the Run Heart and Sole team. She also established the school’s annual Autism Acceptance 5K race to support Special Education classrooms throughout Ohio County.

Not only is Tiffany a talented educator, she is also a US Army veteran. She served two tours of duty during the Iraq War, where she was as a member of the Military Police. There she earned the Iraq Campaign Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service, an Armed Forces Reserve Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

In addition to her credentials as a teacher, Tiffany is a certified personal trainer and a performance enhancement specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

In her community, Tiffany initiated the Wreaths Across America program at two local cemeteries. She is a board member for the Martins Ferry Football Mom’s Association and the Education Alliance. And as if all that were not enough, she is an active member of Team Red, White & Blue, where she honors fallen soldiers by running half-marathons with a full rucksack, gas mask and flags. She is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, West Virginia Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi.

Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from American Military University, and her Master’s degree in Reading from West Liberty University.

 

Chet Blalock: Teacher, veteran, and Montana State Senator

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Many talented educators have also made a name for themselves in the political arena. Such is the case for Chester Merle Blalock, better known as Chet Blaylock, a history teacher, veteran, and state senator from Montana.

Chet was born on Novembr 13, 1924, in Joliet, Montana. He served his country well as a member of the United States Navy during World War II. He earned four medals for his service in the South Pacific.

After the war, this heroic veteran earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1951 and his Master’s degree in Education in 1957, both from the University of Montana. He then worked as a teacher and school administrator for over 30 years in both Laurel and Chinook, Montana. He retired from the teaching profession in 1991.

During his long career as an educator, Chet served as a delegate to the Montana State Constitutional Convention in 1972, and as a member of the Montana State Senate from Laurel, Montana. He believed that every Montana child was entitled to a free, quality education, a livable environment, a good job, and affordable health care. He a spent a lifetime pursuing that objective.

In 1996, Chet became the nominee for governor of Montana. He ran on the Democratic ticket against incumbent Marc Racicot.  Sadly, on October 23, 1996, on his way to a debate with his opponent less than two weeks before the election, the former educator passed away of a heart attack at Deer Lodge, Montana. He was 71 years old. Chet Blalock was cremated and his ashes interred at Rockvale Cemetery in Rockvale, Montana. In his memory, a scholarship in the amount of $600 has been established to be awarded to a full-time student at Montana State University at Billings.

Social Studies teacher Matt Commons also serves in the Indiana State House of Reps

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Social Studies and Government teacher Matt Commons also serves his community in the Indiana State House of Representatives. Photo credit: WFYI Indianapolis

Many outstanding educators have also served their communities in political office. One of these is Matt Commons, a secondary school teacher who also serves in the Indiana State House of Representatives.

Matt was born in Bedford, Indiana. After his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. There he served five years, from 2009 to 2014, as an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in combat during his second tour there. He sustained his injuries when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost his right leg.

Once he earned his honorable discharge, Matt earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education from Purdue University in 2018. He earned his Master’s degree in History from Liberty University. He later earned a Master’s degree in Education Leadership and Administration from Indiana State University.

Matt inaugurated his career as an educator at his high school alma mater, Seeger Memorial High School in West Lebanon, Indiana, where he has taught Social Studies and Government since 2018. He also served as an Assistant Coach for the varsity football team.

In 2024, Matt was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his state’s 13th District. The District includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe, and White counties. He was sworn into office in 2024, and will serve until 2026. He is currently running for re-election. In the State House, Matt serves on the House Local Government Committee; the Natural Resources Committee; and the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. He declares he is also greatly interested in issues that relate to education.

 

Illinois teacher Jim Marzuki was also a State Senator, WWII veteran, and accomplished sculptor

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Illinois teacher Jim Marzuki was also a State Senator, WWII veteran, and accomplished sculptor. He is pictured here in 1985. Photo credit: Art of Jim Marzuki

There are many outstanding educators who serve their community in the political arena. One of these is Jim Marzuki of Illinois, a high school fine arts teacher who also served in his state’s House of Representatives.

Jim was born on June 22, 1925, the son of Italian immigrants. After his graduation from West Aurora High School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the military from 1943 to 1946.

Once the war was over, he returned to school on the GI Bill and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. He also earned two Master’s degrees, one from Governors Sate University and the other from the University of New Mexico. Once he completed his second Master’s Jim returned to Illinois, ultimately landing in Park Forest.

The former veteran inaugurated his career as an educator when he accepted a position at Rich East High School in Park Forest. He taught at the school from 1956 to 1980. There he instructed courses in Industrial Arts and Fine Arts, and he also coached football.

Jim was also an accomplished sculptor. He exhibited at art fairs in the Chicago area and was active at the Art Institute of Chicago, selling his work through their rental and sales gallery. He also created some wood carvings and paintings which showed influences of Native American and Mexican influences, as well as Picasso and abstract artists.

In addition to these accomplishments, Jim was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket, where he served from 1983 to 1985. He has also served on the Park Forest Village Board and on the Park Forest Planning Commission.

Jim Marzuki passed away on July 9, 2000, after having suffered a massive stroke.. To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to The Art of Jim Marzuki.

 

Richard Fujiwara: PE teacher and decorated US Army veteran

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Elementary school teacher Richard Fujiwara was also a decorated US Army veteran. (Photo credit: Daily Bulletin)

Many educators who have served in America’s public schools have also served our nation in the Armed Services. One of these is Richard Fujiwara, an elementary teacher who served in the US Army during the VietNam War.

Richard was born in Upland, California, on Dec. 5, 1946. As a youngster he was raised in Chino, where he attended Chino High School. He graduated from the school in 1964. After his graduation, Richard served in VietNam, where he showed exceptional valor, earning a Purple Heart, a Green Medal, and a Bronze Star.

Once he returned to California, Richard attended Cal Poly Pomona, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and his teaching credential. Once he earned his degrees, Richard accepted a position as an elementary physical education teacher at Citrus Elementary in the Upland Unified School District. Later he taught fourth grade at Baldy View Elementary School and at Pepper Tree Elementary. His final assignment before retirement was as an itinerant Physical education teacher at the elementary level.

In his retirement, Richard volunteered countless hours at the USO and travelled, and played golf and tennis. Richard passed away on Nov. 6, 2025. He is interred at Riverside National Cemetery .