- Dr. Rita Pierson was an educator since 1972. She took up many roles – teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and test coordinator. She believed good relationships were key to a good education. She built relationships with her students and changed their lives. Dr Pierson passed away in June 2013.
“I am somebody.
I was somebody when I came.
I’ll be a better somebody when I leave.
I am powerful, and I am strong.
I have things to do, people to impress, and places to go”
-Dr. Rita Pierson
2. Mackenzie Adams is a kindergarten teacher at Glenwood Elementary in Lake Stevens. Her teaching video went viral on TikTok because of her enthusiastic energy. Despite the difficulties of virtual learning, she has figured out a way to engage her students. She said, “I feed right off of them. Seeing their smiles and their laughter, it makes me just want to put more of a show on for them, make sure that they’re having fun and that they’re engaging and learning.” Check out her video:
3. Gregg Breinberg is the choir director of PS 22 in Staten Island. New York Magazine called it, “the best-known elementary-school chorus on the planet”. Many of his videos directing his choir have gone viral since 2006 and he has inspired many to love music. Check him out:
4. Dr. James Brown is a professor at Chapman University. Shrager was teaching a Zoom First Year Foundations course when his students surprised him. Unexpectedly, they all had their cameras off. All of the sudden they turned their cameras on and we’re holding thank you notes up. Dr. Brown got emotional and began to cry in gratitude. Lauren Herrle, his student, said, “We all have a special place for him, like he’s easily my favourite teacher. He just comes to class with such good energy and he is always singing and humming and talking to us throughout the class and checking in and asking how our day was and making sure that everyone’s alright.“ We are all grateful to have great teachers like Dr. Brown in the world. Check out the video:
5. Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a library teacher at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina. Mrs. Parker loves her students and proves it everyday – even when they’re not in school. She recently raised $106,000 to help feed her students during winter break. Mrs. Parker’s Professors Foodraiser gave 5,200 bags of food to students at 12 schools! We love Mrs. Parker.
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