Tag Archives: Veterans

Matt Nielson: STEM teacher, veteran, and finalist for 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

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Science educator Matt Nielson from Valley City, Minnesota, has been named a finalist for the honor of 2022 Minnesota State Teacher of the Year. He is also a member of the National Guard. Photo Credit: US Army

There are many dedicated, and, I dare say, heroic teachers who work diligently in American schools. One of them is Matt Neilson, a science teacher from North Dakota who is also a member of the Minnesota National Guard.

Matt currently teaches chemistry, physics, and STEM courses to 11th and 12th graders at Valley City High in Valley City, North Dakota. He also serves as the Head Coach for both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams. His work in his school is so highly respected and appreciated that Matt has been named one of four finalists for 2022 North Dakota Teacher of Year honors.

Matt’s curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. For example, he developed one lesson that required students to create a periodic table based on fictitious elements. In collaborative learning pairs, the students looked for a pattern, debate their proposed solutions with each other, and then justify their conclusions. This Chalkboard Champion also promotes the value of relationships. “The more adults that they know that care about them, that kind of helps them along their path,” declares Matt. 

In addition to his work in the classroom, Matt serves as a Captain in the North Dakota National Guard. His military occupational specialty is a chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear officer. For his service, the exemplary educator has earned a Meritorious Service Medal for completing 20 years of service. “I served over in Iraq in 2003-2004,” reveals Matt. “In 2006, I re-enlisted, and in 2009 I talked with my wife and we decided, you know what, we’re going to make a career of it and stayed in for 20,” he continues. “I believed in what we were doing. I believed in the mission. I believed in our state and our country,” he says.

 

CA’s Robert Brooks: Teacher, veteran, and outstanding athletic coach

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Outstanding high school athlete Robert Brooks of Southern California went on to teach and coach at the high school level, and then became an excellent athletic coach at UC Davis. Photo Credit: Legacy.com

Many outstanding high school and college athletes go on to become excellent coaches and teachers. One of these was Robert Brooks, an outstanding athlete from Southern California who went on to a stellar career as a high school and college coach for wrestling, rugby, track, and football.

Robert was born in August, 1931, in Chino, California. As a young man, he attended Chino High School where he excelled as an athlete. He lettered in football, basketball, tennis, and track.

After his high school graduation, Robert attended Mount San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, California, where he played football. In 1949, his team captured a state championship, and Robert was named Player of the Year. In 1951 and 1952, the outstanding athlete attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football.

Once Robert earned his Bachelor’s degree, he enlisted in the US Navy and was sent to Pearl Harbor. There, while stationed on the submarines USS Green Fish and USS Caiman, he played football for the Navy between his tours of duty. His team was crowned the Island Champions and played in the Hula Bowl versus the College All-Stars from the mainland.

After his discharge from the service, Robert returned to UC Berkeley and earned his Master’s degree in Education. He inaugurated his career in the teaching profession at Miramonte High School located in Orinda, California. There he served as the Head Football Coach, an Assistant Coach for the track team, and wrestling. His stint at Miramonte spanned five years. During these years, he also played rugby on a team that won a National Club Championship.

In 1962, Robert left the high school to accept a position at UC Davis as an Assistant Coach for football and track. In 1964, he founded the school’s rugby team, and from 1967 to 1990 he coached the Davis wrestling team.

For many years, in addition to his work with college students, Robert also worked with younger athletes. In the 1960s, he hosted a summer camp for children in foster care, pairing each child with a student mentor from Davis High School for a week of adventure in the Sierra Mountains. Beginning in the early 1970s, Robert also participated in the Davis Kids Summer Sports School program. For the program, which ran for ten summers, he taught wrestling and football. He even drove a bus to transport the kids back and forth to camp.

Robert Brooks, a true Chalkboard Champion, passed away in March of 2022. He was 91 years old.

 

Maryland theater teacher Donald Leifert also a sci/fi actor

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High school English and Theater Arts teacher Donald Leifert of Maryland earned some renown as an actor in science fiction and horror films. Photo Credit: who’s.com

It is often said that there is a certain amount of theatrics involved in teaching. This must be true to some degree, because there are many examples of talented educators who are also successful as actors. One of these is Donald Leifert, an English and Theater Arts instructor who also earned some renown as an actor in science fiction and horror films.

Donald was born on February 27, 1951, in Maryland, the son of Dolores J. and Donald L. Leifert, Sr. During the Viet Nam conflict, Donald served as a soldier in the US Army. As soon as he earned his honorable discharge from the army, he spent two years studying at the Douglas-Webber Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

Donald worked with independent film director Don Dohler in science fiction and horror films. He was cast in the role of the homicidal ghost in The Galaxy Invader, and then the contemptible lout Drago in Nightbeast, and also the good-for-nothing redneck Frank Custer in The Alien Factor.

Once Donald decided to change careers, he accepted a position teaching English and Theater Arts at the Carver School for the Arts in Baltimore County, Maryland. He later taught English and journalism at Dundalk High and Catonsville High and English and Theater Arts at Towson High School in Baltimore. In addition, Donald was a published author. He authored his biography, entitled Riggie: A Journey from 5th Street.

This exceptional educator passed away from a heart attack at the young age of 59 on October 23, 2010, in Parkland, Maryland. At his passing, this Chalkboard Champion was remembered fondly by his former students. “He always pushed his students to be their best, because he knew we were capable of it, even when we didn’t,” remembered former student Jennifer Wallace. “He was kind, funny, and stern when he needed to be,” she said. Other former students agree. “As a senior in high school he would allow me to teach his beginner acting class now and then,” commented former student Jessica Wentling. “He gave to me the love of teaching, a passion that I intend to continue pursuing,” she concluded.

Honoring Henry Alvin Cameron: Teacher and WWI veteran

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During this weekend’s annual Memorial Day observances, I am reminded that many our nation’s educators are also veterans. One of my favorite Chalkboard Heroes is Henry Alvin Cameron, a high school science teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. He was not only a leader in the African American community in the early days of the 20th century, but he was also a veteran of World War I. Below is a digital story I created to tell you more about this heroic historical figure.

 

Retired teacher and politician Chandler Woodcock of Maine

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Chandler Woodcock Photo Credit: National Fish Coalition

Many excellent educators are also successful politicians. A superb example of this is Chandler E. Woodcock, a high school English teacher and basketball coach who has also served his community as a state senator in Maine from 2000 to 2006.

Chandler was born in Mechanic Falls, Maine, and was raised in nearby Farmington. His father was a manager at the Forster Manufacturing Company. Both of Chandler’s parents served in the military during World War II; his father in the Army Air Corps and his mother in the US Marines.

During his boyhood, Chandler was elected president of his class several times.After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served a tour of duty during the Viet Nam War. When he returned from Viet Nam, Chandler enrolled in the University of Maine at Farmington, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary bio2[1]Education. He then taught English for over 25 years in the public school system, serving at Livermore Falls High School, Mt. Blue High School, and the Skowhegan Area High School. At each school, this talented teacher served as the basketball coach, and he even led the Mt. Blue High School girls’ varsity team to two state championships.

“His teams were always excellent as far as sportsmanship, but they were very, very competitive,” commented former Bangor coach Tom Tennet. “Chandler wants to beat you, and I think you could see that in how hard Chandler’s teams played. I think it was a reflection on him,” Tennet continued.

In adition to his teaching career, Chandler served five years on the Board of Selectment in Farmington, one of those years as the Chairman of the Board, before being elected to the Maine State Senate in 2000. During his first term, the former educator served on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Legal and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. During his second term, he served as Assistant Senate Republican Leader and on the Judiciary Committee.

In January, 2009, Chandler became the executive director of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association. With State Representative Tom Saviello of Wilton, Chandler is also the co-host of a public-access television talk show on Mt. Blue Community Access TV entitled “Talkin’ Maine with the Bow Tie Boys.” Both Chandler and his co-host are known locally for wearing bow ties.

Job well done, Chandler.