Tag Archives: Veterans

Vocational ed teacher and US veteran Leland Huff

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Vocational education educator Leland Huff of San Bernardino, California, was also a US veteran. Photo credit: Lori Huff.

Many fine educators have also served our country in the United States military. One of these was Leland Huff, a vocational education teacher from San Bernardino, California, who served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Leland was born on March 18, 1932, in Inkster, Michigan. As a young man, he attended Western High School in Detroit, where he played football, ran track, and worked part-time at the Coca Cola Company. Once he graduated, Leland entered the US Army. During the Korean War, he served for two years in Hokkaido, Japan, as part of he Military Police.

Upon his discharge, Leland returned to Detroit and enrolled at Wayne State University on the GI Bill. There he earned first his Bachelor’s and then his Master’s degree in Special Education, with an additional Master’s in Industrial Education.

After teaching for several years in Michigan, Leland and his wife Mary decided to relocate to California. There he taught high school courses in wood shop and other subjects. He also conducted summer school instruction in working with wood, metal and plastic, and drafting. He also taught vocational education courses in the adult education program. As a teacher, Leland was appreciated for his encouraging words, advising his students to make all that they could of their lives, and he was well known for his sense of humor, telling jokes his students called “Huff Duds.” In all, Leland’s career as an educator spanned 41 years.

Sadly, this Chalkboard Champion passed away on May 7, 2021. He was 89 years old. Because he was a veteran, he was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. To read more about Leland Huff, see this obituary published by Bobbitt Mortuary.

Educator DeWayne Bunch survived a war, but not a brawl

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Educator, politician, and veteran DeWayne Bunch survived a tour of duty in Iraq, but not a lunchroom brawl at his school. Photo credit: Ballotpedia.

As Memorial Day approaches, let’s take a moment to remember educator, politician, and veteran DeWayne Bunch, the Chalkboard Champion that survived the Iraq War, but not a lunchroom brawl.

For 17 years, DeWayne Bunch was a beloved teacher of mathematics and science at Whitley County High School in Williamsburg, Kentucky. DeWayne was also a member of the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years, and had served in the Kentucky Army National Guard as a First Sergeant. His service sent him on a tour of duty in Iraq. His valor there earned him a Bronze Star. A multi-talented individual, DeWayne was elected in 2010 to the Kentucky State House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. There he represented the 82nd District. As a legislator, he served on House Committees for Education; Veterans’ Affairs; and Transportation.

Sadly, DeWayne’s story does not have a happy ending. One morning in 2011, a brawl between two students broke out in the school cafeteria. DeWayne was the first of three faculty members who rushed in to quell the fray. Unfortunately, DeWayne took a direct punch meant for another student, was knocked to the floor, and hit his head on the hard surface. A surface described as “like slate.” Suffering from severe head and spinal cord injuries, DeWayne was rushed to the nearest hospital. What followed was a year of extensive rehabilitative therapy, during which time DeWayne resigned his position in the Kentucky House of Representatives. His wife, Regina Bunch, a special education teacher at Whitely County Middle School, was elected to fill his vacated position.

Sadly, DeWayne died as a result of his injuries just over a year later, on July 11, 2012. He was only 49 years old. Our country lost a true hero and Chalkboard Champion that day.

DeWayne was born on February 22, 1962, in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He graduated from Cumberland College in 1992 with a degree in Education. He earned his Master’s degree from Union College in 1995, in Principal Certification.

To learn more about this Kentucky veteran and educator, see his biography at Vote Smart.

Educator, veteran Demetrius Ball shares Memorial Day lessons

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Educator and US Army veteran Demetrius Ball shares lessons about his experiences in the military as part of the school’s Memorial Day observance.  Photo Credfit: PBS News Hour.

Like many teachers around on the country on this Memorial Day, educator and military veteran Demetrius Ball will probably be sharing lessons about the holiday with their students. And Demetrius has a lot to share, since he, himself, is a military veteran.

Demetrius served five years of active duty in the US Army as a field artillery officer, completing tours of duty in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and Kuwait from 2005 to 2007. He left the military in 2007, having achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Once he concluded his military service, Demetrius launched his career as a Social Studies teacher. He spent his first three years in Tracy, California, then five years in Baltimore City and Howard County in Maryland, and then returned to California. He currently serves as the principal of Iron Horse Middle School in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Through it all, he has been willing to share stories about his experiences in the military. “My first year teaching I decided to put together a presentation titled A Soldier’s Experience,” remembers Demetrius. “I take an entire class period to share my military experience with my students. The last few years I have worn my Dress Blue or Green uniform. I discuss the difficult transition that I had adapting to life as a cadet, like struggling to qualify on the range with an M16 rifle, not feeling prepared for the academic rigor, and even failing my first class ever,” he continued. “I describe my job as a field artillery officer, and the variety of missions I conducted on deployment in Iraq,” he concludes. You can read more about this Chalkboard Champion’s military experience by reading this article published by PBS News Hour.

Naturally, Demetrius takes military holidays very seriously. “When we acknowledge Veterans Day, and Memorial Day, especially, I think of all the men and women who served with energy, bravery and commitment, and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Including the freedom to teach and learn,” expressed Demetrius. We thank you for that, Demetrius.

Demetrius earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Engineering from United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. He earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Phoenix in 2008. He is currently working on his Ph.D. from Liberty University.

 

Hubbard Yetman: New York teacher, veteran, and politician

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Teacher, American veteran, and politician Hubbard Yetman of New York. (Photo credit: Prominent Men of Staten Island (1893), Internet Archive)

Many fine educators log accomplishments in fields outside of the classroom. One of these was Hubbard Yetman, a school teacher from New York who also achieved success as a local and state politician.

Hubbard was born on August 28, 1847, in Englishtown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. As a young boy, he attended school at Monmouth Hall in Freehold.

Hubbard was only 15 years old when he enlisted in the 14th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to fight in the Civil War. His unit was part of the Army of the Potomac, and young Hubbard participated in all of the engagements of his unit. First he served on the front lines as a drummer, and then he was appointed an adjutant’s clerk. Although he was once wounded, his injuries were not severe, and he stayed with his unit until the War Between the States was won.

Once the Civil War was over, Hubbard taught public school in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York. His career as an educator there spanned 15 years. Once he left the classroom, he served his town as the Justice of the Peace and sold insurance. In 1888, Hubbard was elected to the New York State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. There he represented New York’s Richmond County. He was re-elected to this position for two additional terms. While there, the legislature improved local tax laws, increased the county’s police force, and created a pension fund for retired police officers. In 1893, the former teacher was elected School Commissioner, but he declined to serve. However, he did accept an opportunity to serve as the Town Supervisor for Westfield in 1897. When New York City consolidated, the former teacher was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools representing Richmond. He held that position until 1902.

This remarkable educator and politician passed away on October 18, 1924. He is interred in Bethel Cemetery in Staten Island. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article entitled Prominent Men of Staten Island, (1893) published in the Internet Archive.

 

Minnesota’s Carl Van Dyke: Teacher and politician

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Minnesota’s Carl Van Dyke: An elementary school teacher who went on to become a lawyer and then a United States Congressman.

Talented teachers often possess the personality traits that make them successful in the political arena. This is certainly the case for Carl Van Dyke, an elementary school teacher who went on to become a lawyer and then a United States Congressman.

Carl was born on February 18, 1881, in Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota. As a youngster, he attended local schools. When he came of age, taught elementary schools in Douglas County from 1899 to 1901. It was in that year that he enlisted in the Minnesota Volunteer Infantry branch of the US Army. There he served as a private in Company B in the Fifteenth Regiment. While in the service, Carl saw action in the Spanish American War, and he was highly respected by his fellow veterans. In fact, in 1918, the former teacher was elected Commander in Chief of the US Spanish War Veterans.

Once he returned from military service, Carl attended St. Paul College of Law, which later came to be known as William Mitchell College of Law. Following his graduation, Carl was admitted to the bar in St. Paul. His leadership abilities evident, the former educator was elected to the US House of Representatives, where he served from 1915 until his sudden death on May 20, 1919, in Washington, DC. He was only 38 years old. After his passing, this gifted teacher, lawyer, and public servant was cremated and his ashes interred in a mausoleum in Forest Cemetery, St. Paul, Minnesota.

To read more about Carl Van dyke, see this entry at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.