Tag Archives: Veterans

Teacher, WWII internee, and US Army veteran Tadashi Tsufura

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Math teacher Tadashi Tsufura was an internee in a Japanese American internment camp, and later a US Army veteran. Photo Credit: Japanese American Museum

There are many talented educators who are stellar teachers largely because they have overcome tough personal circumstances themselves. One of these was Tadashi Tsufura, a math teacher and principal in New York City who spent several years of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Tadashi was born on September 17, 1930, in Los Angeles, California. He was the third son of a Buddhist minister and a teacher who immigrated to the United States from Japan.

The youngster’s life changed dramatically on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan. Prejudice against Japanese people living in the United States ran high, and even the US government was guilty of racial profiling. On his 12th birthday, Tadashi and his family were forced by the United States to move to one of the two Gila River internment camps located in a desert valley in Arizona. They were among approximately 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who were interned during the war. Many of those interned were American citizens.

As a young man, Tadashi determined to serve his country in the military. He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and fought on the front lines of the Korean War from until 1953. After his discharge, Tadashi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Fenn College. The college is now known as Cleveland State University.

Although Tadashi enjoyed success as a chemical engineer, he was not happy in his work. He moved to New York City where his brother was living. Because the city was experiencing a shortage of educators, the scientist decided to try teaching. He completed education courses at Brooklyn College and then accepted a position as a math teacher at two schools in Manhattan.

Before long, Tadashi was promoted to the position of principal of PS 41 in Greenwich Village, where he worked for eight years. Then he was promoted to the position of Deputy Superintendent of District 3 on the Upper West Side. He retired in 1988.

Sadly, Tadashi Tsufura passed away from coronavirus on March 29, 2020, in New York City. He was 89 years old. To read more about this amazing Chalkboard Champion, see this link at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.

NJ Social Studies teacher Edward Graf earns 2024 VFW Award

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Social Studies teacher Edward Graf, a US military veteran, has earned a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  Photo Credit: VFW

It is always a pleasure for me to shine a spotlight on an outstanding classroom teacher who has also served in the United States military. Today, I spotlight Edward M. Graf, a high school teacher in Bridgewater, New Jersey. He has earned a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Edward, a veteran of the US Army, teaches social studies teacher at Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School (SCVTHS) in Bridgewater, New Jersey. His candidacy for the VFW honor was sponsored by Bernardsville Memorial VFW Post 7858 in Bernardsville, New Jersey. The outstanding educator was chosen for the continued passion and energy he brings to his classroom, and for the dedication he shows with regards to honoring America’s service members, veterans, and Gold Star families. He does this through multiple student-led community events, including the organizing of Proud to be an American Day, an event which honors the service and ultimate sacrifice paid by our nation’s armed forces.

The Proud to be an American Day, which is celebrating its 10th year at SCVTHS, and its 17th year overall, was inaugurated by Edward as a way to reinforce his classroom curriculum about citizenship. Over the almost two decades that he has run the program, Edward and his students have raised over $170,000 from local businesses and community groups to sponsor this event. Last year, the event featured representatives from almost every branch of the military, five military aircraft, Civil War cannon demonstrations, performances of patriotic music, memorial presentations, and a variety of speakers, including generals and admirals. The event was attended by students from 13 schools from five counties.

While he was in the service, Edward served as a radio operator and Infantry Team Leader in the US Army, 25th Infantry Division. He served from 1997 through 1999. While there, he earned an Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Each year, the VFW selects one elementary, one middle school, and one high school teacher to receive the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher award. The honor recognizes outstanding teachers for their exceptional commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students through promoting civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism in the classroom. Edward will receive a check for $1,000 which he can use for professional development and another $1,000 for his school during the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, July 27-Aug. 1, 2024.

To read more, click on this link to VFW website.

Middle school teacher Monica Galloway garners 2024 VFW honor

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It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on an outstanding classroom teacher who has also served in the United States Armed Forces. Today, I spotlight Monica Galloway, a middle school teacher in Laurel, Maryland. She has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Middle school teacher Monica Galloway, a US Army veteran, has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Photo credit: VFW

Monica, a United States Army veteran, works as a sixth grade math teacher at Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel, Maryland. Her consideration for the award was sponsored by the J. Paul Duke Jr. Memorial VFW Post 9376 in Clinton, Maryland. Monica was selected for her dedication to increasing participation in her county’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). Additionally, she has been lauded for establishing a program known as Immigrant Experiences, and instructional program to help promote diversity and build stronger, culturally responsive, supportive classrooms.

Each year, the VFW selects one elementary, one middle school, and one high school teacher to receive the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher award. The honor recognizes outstanding teachers for their exceptional commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students through promoting civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism in the classroom. The award was established in 1999 and named after former VFW National Commander John Smart and retired VFW Quartermaster General Larry Maher. Monica will be presented with a check for $1,000 which she can use for professional development and $1,000 for her school during the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, July 27-Aug. 1, 2024.

To read more, click on this link to VFW website.

Dr. Marvin Nottingham: Teacher, coach, administrator, WW II hero

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Educator and administrator Dr. Marvin Nottingham was also a World War II veteran who saw battle at Iwo Jima. Photo Credit:

Many outstanding classroom teachers have served their country admirably in the military . One of these is Dr. Marvin Nottingham, a teacher and administrator originally from Wyoming who was also a World War II veteran.

Marvin was born on August 16, 1925, in Sheridan, Wyoming, and raised in Big Horn. As a young man, he worked on a cattle ranch in his native state. After his high school graduation, he served in the US military in the 133rd CB Battalion (this unit is often called the SeaBees). He fought valiantly on Iwo Jima, where he was a D8 bulldozer operator, pulling boats and troops out of the water surrounding the island. For his actions in that battle, Marvin earned a Bronze Star for his valor. In fact, until his passing, he was one of the last survivors of that fated battle.

Once he was discharged from the service, Marvin earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. He earned his Master’s degree from San Diego University and his PhD in Education from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1970.

Marvin inaugurated his career in education when he accepted a position as a teacher of chemistry, physics, and math. He also coached basketball. He spent 11 years in the classroom. Then he was promoted to the position of Vice Principle at Coronado High School in San Diego. He then went on to serve as a principal at both Hemet High School and Palm Springs High School. He also served as an Area Superintendent for the Norwalk—La Mirada school District. He worked his way up to a position as a professor of educational administration at USC, and then served as Department Chair at the University of Idaho at Moscow. His career as an educator spanned 40 years.

After his retirement, Marvin continued to contribute to the educational community. He served as the President of the Educational Foundation and as the President of the Retired Teachers Association. He also devoted nearly 20 years to the Valley Restart Homeless Shelter.

During his lifetime, Marvin authored three books. His first two books, Once a Cowboy and Victor and Connections to Pacific Spiny Lobster: Tales of Land and Sea, were memoirs, and his third book, Principles for Principals, described his educational pedagogy.

Marvin Nottingham passed away on March 26, 2024, in Hemet, California. He was 98 years old. He was interred in Riverside National Cemetery, a burial place reserved for veterans, in Riverside, California.

To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to an article about him published in the Cowboy State Daily in 2023.

Idaho’s Kelly Carey honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars

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Elementary school teacher Kelly Garey of Idaho has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Photo credit: Idaho Press

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional teacher. Today, I shine a light on Kelly Garey, an elementary school teacher from Caldwell, Idaho. She has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with a 2023 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Kelly teaches second grade at Van Buren Elementary School in Caldwell. In her classroom, she has created a community called Tribes, developing curriculum which emphasizes the use of inclusion activities. Her class concludes each day with a sharing community circle for students to reflect on their day. She also spearheads drug prevention programs and expands her students’ knowledge about patriotic and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics. She also helps teach her students about the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance and good citizenship. She has been a teacher for 33 years.

Kelly was nominated for the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award by members of VFW Post 3886 in Caldwell. She earned her honor for her dedication to fostering patriotism, her passion for serving her country and local community, and for her efforts to organize field trips, activities, and services to help her students learn about and recognize the military service of America’s veterans.

This Chalkboard Champion is a retired Navy veteran, with a career in the Navy Reserves that spanned more than 30 years. As a Chief Petty Officer, Kelly worked for the Navy Operations Support Center in Boise. She was also an active member on the Navy Funeral Honor Guard. With this extensive experience, she leads her students and members of her community to understand why veterans choose to serve, the rich history of our nation’s flag, and the genuine spirit of freedom.  She retired from the military in June, 2022.