Tag Archives: Veterans

Veteran and educator Darren Rainey is devoted to students

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US  veteran and educator Darren Rainey taught high school Language Arts in Delaware after he left the military. He continues to make his mark on the field of education. Photo credit: Teach for America

There are many fine educators who came to the classroom after serving our country in the military. One of these is Darren Rainey, a Language Arts teacher and Athletic Director in Wilmington, Delaware.

Darren deployed with the 4th Squadron, 9th US Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division to Afghanistan in 2013 and to the Republic of Korea in 2015. “I learned some of my toughest leadership lessons through deployments, rotations, and training exercises in this unit,” says Darren. “It was here where I learned the importance of leading through relationships and respecting an individual’s unique experiences.”

When Darren concluded his military career In 2017, he decided to become an educator. He served as the Athletic Director Director and taught Language Arts at the 8th, 9th, and 11th grade level at Freire Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware. “In the classroom, nothing is more rewarding than when a student has that ‘ah-ha’ moment during a lesson or when a kid who is usually quiet has that breakout moment in a class discussion,” asserts Darren.

Currently, Darren serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He also works as an Adjunct Professor on the Delaware campus of  the Relay Graduate School of Education. In addition, he serves as an Impact Leader with Profound Gentlemen, Inc., an organization that builds communities of male educators of color who provide a profound additional impact on the communities they serve.

Darren was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Hampton University for his undergraduate studies and earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

To learn more about Darren, click on this link to an article he wrote published by Teach for America.

 

Teacher, judge, author, and veteran Robert Gustaveson

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Former teacher and Korean Conflict veteran Robert Gustaveson was also  an exemplary judge and a successful author. Photo credit: Russon Mortuary and Crematory.

I always feel privileged to share stories about individuals who have served as dedicated classroom teachers that have also served our country as veterans. One of these was Robert Gustaveson, a former middle school teacher who also served in the United States Air Force.

Robert was born on February 3, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised there until his family relocated to Hyrum, Utah. A young man of strong religious beliefs, after his high school graduation he returned to California to complete a mission for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Once he returned from his mission, Robert completed the requirements for his Bachelor’s degree and then his Master’s degree, both from Utah State University.

During the Korean Conflict, Robert served as an officer in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 5th Air Force 67th Tactical Recognizance Wing in Kimpo. His heroism there earned Robert three battle stars.

Once he completed his military service, Robert accepted a teaching position at a middle school in Salt Lake City, Utah. While working as an educator there, he met and married his wife, Julia.

After a period of time, Robert decided to shift from a career in education to a career in law. He attended law school at the University of Utah, and once he earned his Juris Doctorate, Robert and Julia returned to California, settling in the area of Pomona and Claremont. The former teacher was elected City Attorney in Pomona, and in 1973, he became a Superior Court Judge for Los Angeles County. He also served as a Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles County Municipal courts.

After his retirement in 2003, Robert continued to serve as a judge on assignment. He also authored and published seven novels. In addition, he was a prolific artist, and enjoyed sketching, painting, and drawing cartoons.

Sadly, this Renaisance man passed away on Nov. 2, 2021, of congestive heart failure. He was 93 years old. He was laid to rest at the Hyrum City Cemetery.

VA Social Studies teacher and veteran Jimmy Kimbrough

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Virginia Social Studies teacher Jimmy Kimbrough previously served his country as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army. Photo credit: Troops to Teachers.

Some of the best educators in the classroom are those who previously served in the US military. One of these is Jimmy Kimbrough, a Social Studies teacher in Hampton, Virginia.

Jimmy spent his military career as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army. Through the military, the experienced soldier had his first experience as a teacher. From 2004 to 2007, he served as an instructor at the Armored Captains Career Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. At the end of his career, he served as a professor of Military Science at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

After completing his career in the Army, Jimmy decided he wanted to become a teacher for younger students. “I wanted to help young adults better prepare themselves for the challenges they will face upon graduation,” he recalls. “Over my life, I have benefited from the investment of time and effort by many teachers and mentors. I wanted to pay that forward,” he reveals. After training in the Troops to Teachers program, Jimmy accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Kecoughtan High School in Hampson, Virginia.

Jimmy believes a good teacher must be patient, caring, and passionate about learning. In addition, a teacher must possess a willingness to help students understand the classroom content. And in addition to that, he asserts, a teacher should adjust their styles to the needs of their students.

As a result of his classroom experience, Jimmy says he was surprised to learn that not all students are motivated by grades. “Students respond to positive comments, public praise, and a pat on the back,” he observes. “When I tell them that I am proud of them, that motivates them to try and do better.”

Jimmy earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1995. In 2007, he earned his first Master’s degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Managements from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He earned his second Master’s degree in Airpower and Space Studies from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2008.

 

Bertram Nelson: Teacher, principal, and Civil War veteran

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New York City teacher and principal Nelson Bartram served valiantly in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

Many hardworking educators have served their country well during times of war. One of these was Nelson Bartram, a teacher and principal who fought during the Civil War on the Union side.

Nelson was born in Westport, New York, on January 7, 1832. While still a child his family relocated to Manhattan. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Nelson was working as a teacher managing a night school on Nineteenth Street. At the same time, he was employed as a principal at the public school on West Twenty Fourth Street.

When the War Between the States broke out, Nelson mustered into service with the Seventeenth Infantry as a captain, Company B, on May 22, 1861. He was promoted to major of the regiment in December of that year, and lieutenant colonel in May, 1862. He mustered out of service with the regiment in June, 1863. He was then appointed lieutenant colonel of the new 15th New York Cavalry. In September, 1863, he resigned that post to accept a commission as colonel of the 20th US Colored Troops (USCT) organized on Riker’s Island in February, 1864. While serving in the military, Nelson was a witness to all the major engagements that the Army of the Potomac fought in until December 1863. This Chalkboard Hero mustered out with 20th USCT in October, 1865.

After the war, Nelson went to work as a clerk in the New York Customs House in 1870, and was the Deputy Collector there until his passing on December 25, 1886, in New York City. On Sept. 26, 1900, a bronze statue was erected in his honor at Port Chester, New York.

To learn more about this heroic teacher and US veteran, see this article published by Adventures in History.

Alexander Kerr Craig: Teacher, politician, Civil War vet, and

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Teacher, Civil War veteran, and member of the United States House of Representatives Alexander Kerr Craig. Photo credit: Public Domain.

Many times talented educators serve their country valiantly, and also distinguish themselves in the political arena. Such is the case with Alexander Kerr Craig, a teacher from Claysville, Pennsylvania, who also served his country as a Civil War veteran. He was also elected to the US House of Representatives.

Alexander Craig was born near Claysville, Buffalo Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on February 1, 1828. As a young boy, he attended local common schools and was educated by a private tutor. He was only 16 years old when he became a teacher in his community, conducting classes during the winter months. Later he worked as a principal in Claysville public schools. During these years, he also studied law and engaged in agricultural pursuits.

In February, 1865, after the Civil War broke out, Alexander enlisted on the Union side in the Eighty-Seventh Regiment, Company H, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in on March 13, 1865, and mustered out on June 29, 1865. After the completion of his military service, Alexander returned to his home town of Claysville, where he resumed his career as an educator by serving as a school director and the justice of the peace.

Many years later, Alexander was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Pennsylvania in the 52nd United States Congress, where he served from February 26, 1892, until he passed away on July 29, 1892, at the age of 64. He is buried in Claysville Cemetery.

To read more about Alexander Kerr Craig, follow this link to the US House of Representatives.