Latest news with #TeacheroftheYear
Rhyl Journal
16-07-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
On this day: Teacher beats cancer, aids pupil with leukaemia
Ryan Collard, 30, was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in June 2017 - the same year his twin brother was diagnosed with the same disease. He underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and was declared in remission a year later in 2018. So when a student at his school, Callie Ragaven, five, was diagnosed with leukaemia, Mr Collard requested she be put into his class so he could support her. He "went out of his way" to support her - reassuring her and sending her videos of her classmates she wasn't able to meet, and even hand-delivering a party bag. Callie and Ryan (Image: SWNS) Mr Collard even hand-delivered a party bag to her door so she didn't miss out on treats when she wasn't well enough to attend class at Green Ridge Primary Academy, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Without Ryan's knowledge, Callie nominated him for Collection Pot's Teacher of the Year award - which he won. Surprised, Mr Collard said: 'Teachers are all different and everyone has their own idea of what makes a good teacher. "My priority is that the children are happy. If they feel safe and are excited to come to school, that's all I can ask for. "If they are happy and safe, then they will learn. "To be nominated is extremely overwhelming and has made me feel super proud of myself. "After cancer treatment, it can often feel like you may never achieve your full potential anymore, but this has proved me wrong.' After being diagnosed with leukaemia, Callie pushed back her start date for school from the September to the January due to her treatment. Her mum Shalinee was concerned she would miss out and struggle to settle into school. She said: 'He specifically requested to have Callie in his class as he knew how hard cancer treatment can be. "He was so understanding from day one and sent her videos of the kids in the class and even hand-delivered a party bag to our door that one child had brought into school as he didn't want her to miss out.' Talking about why she nominated her teacher, Callie said: 'I started Reception this year having just been diagnosed with leukaemia. "Mr Collard has given me the most incredible start to school life that I could have ever imagined. Ryan welcoming his first child Carter with his wife, Sophie. (Image: SWNS) "Nothing is ever too much for Mr Collard and he does his job with so much love and dedication.' Mr Collard won £250 in a Collection Pot for himself and £1,000 for his school and Callie will receive a £250 Visit Britain Gift Card. After being diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer, the gruelling treatment left Ryan infertile. But recently Ryan and his wife Sophie welcomed a baby boy, Carter, after going through IVF treatment. He said: 'I really struggled coming back to work and seeing all the wonderful kids. "Reception age is my favourite age as they are just so magical and hilarious, so teaching them was a great distraction. "However, sending them off to their parents and seeing how excited they got was heartbreaking as I thought I might never have that experience. 'We were extremely lucky this year to have our little boy Carter who is nine weeks old today. He has genuinely changed my life. "Before him, it was a daily struggle and I would constantly ask myself 'what purpose do I have in life?' "I felt like such a burden. "Luckily, my wife Sophie was my biggest motivator and kept me going at the darkest of times, reminding me that we'd be parents no matter what." This story was first reported on by Emilia Kettle on July 16, 2024.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
An Oklahoma Teacher Took a Leap of Faith. She Ended Up Winning State Teacher of the Year
This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice. OKLAHOMA CITY — Those who knew Melissa Evon the best 'laughed really hard' at the thought of her teaching family and consumer sciences, formerly known as home economics. By her own admission, the Elgin High School teacher is not the best cook. Her first attempt to sew ended with a broken sewing machine and her mother declaring, 'You can buy your clothes from now on.' Still, Evon's work in family and consumer sciences won her the 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year award on Friday. Yes, her students practice cooking and sewing, but they also learn how to open a bank account, file taxes, apply for scholarships, register to vote and change a tire — lessons she said 'get kids ready to be adults.' Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter 'Even though most of my career was (teaching) history, government and geography, the opportunity to teach those real life skills has just been a phenomenal experience,' Evon told Oklahoma Voice. After graduating from Mustang High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Evon started her teaching career in 1992 at Elgin Public Schools just north of Lawton. She's now entering her 27th year in education, a career that included stints in other states while her husband served in the Air Force and a break after her son was born. No matter the state, the grade level or the subject, 'I'm convinced I teach the world's greatest kids,' she said. Her family later returned to Oklahoma where Evon said she received a great education in public schools and was confident her son would, too. Over the course of her career, before and after leaving the state, she won Elgin Teacher of the Year three times, district Superintendent Nathaniel Meraz said. So, Meraz said he was 'ecstatic' but not shocked that Evon won the award at the state level. 'There would be nobody better than her,' Meraz said. 'They may be as good as her. They may be up there with her. But she is in that company of the top teachers.' Like all winners of Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Evon will spend a year out of the classroom to travel the state as an ambassador of the teaching profession. She said her focus will be encouraging teachers to stay in education at a time when Oklahoma struggles to keep experienced educators in the classroom. Evon herself at times questioned whether to continue teaching, she said. In those moments, she drew upon mantras that are now the core of her Teacher of the Year platform: 'See the light' by looking for the good in every day and 'be the light for your kids.' She also told herself to 'get out of the boat,' another way of saying 'take a leap of faith.' Two years ago, she realized she needed a change if she were to stay in education. She wanted to return to the high-school level after years of teaching seventh-grade social studies. The only opening at the high school, though, was family and consumer sciences. Accepting the job was a 'get out of the boat and take a leap of faith moment,' she said. 'I think teachers have to be willing to do that when we get stuck,' Evon said. 'Get out of the boat. Sometimes that's changing your curriculum. Sometimes it might be more like what I did, changing what you teach. Maybe it's changing grade levels, changing subjects, changing something you've always done, tweaking that idea.' Since then, she's taught classes focused on interpersonal communication, parenting, financial literacy and career opportunities. She said her students are preparing to become adults, lead families and grow into productive citizens. And, sure, they learn cooking and sewing along the way. 'I'm getting to teach those things, and I know that what I do matters,' Evon said. 'They come back and tell me that.' Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rack Room Shoes Announces Winners of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Contest
Teachers recognized for their exceptional dedication and impact on students' lives Charlotte, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2025) - Rack Room Shoes held its annual Teacher of the Year contest, which allowed customers to nominate deserving and dedicated teachers who have made a positive and influential impact. Each winning teacher has been awarded a $10,000 technology grant for their school and a $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card. After a thorough selection process, Rack Room Shoes is proud to recognize these five outstanding teachers: Gladis Hinojos, a fourth-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary in El Paso, Texas Beverly Keane, a math teacher at West Millbrook Magnet Middle in Raleigh, North Carolina Lauren Pedersen, a fourth-grade teacher at Providence Spring Elementary in Charlotte, North Carolina Danicia Randolph, a science teacher at Ridge Road Middle in Charlotte, North Carolina Adrienne Ruckser, a fourth-grade teacher at Lead Mine Elementary in Raleigh, North Carolina The 2025 Teacher of the Year Contest began with an open call for nominations, inviting individuals from across the country to share stories of their favorite teachers and how these educators have positively influenced their lives or the lives of their children. More than 300 teachers were nominated nationwide, each deserving recognition for their exceptional dedication. After a public vote period, the five winning teachers were chosen. "We are thrilled to honor these inspiring teachers for the meaningful differences they've made in the lives of their students," said Brenda Christmon, senior director of brand communications at Rack Room Shoes. "Their passion and commitment to education inspires us all. Through this contest, we aim to shine a light on their remarkable achievements." To expand access to hands-on learning in media and communications, one of the winning schools plans to implement a full broadcast system. Last year's Teacher of the Year winners utilized their technology grants to enhance student learning through tools like 3D printers, laptops and STEAM lab resources. 2025 Teacher of the Year Winners To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About Rack Room Shoes Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Rack Room Shoes is known as an innovator in the shoe industry for over 100 years. Rack Room Shoes operates more than 520 locations nationwide under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands. Both brands offer a great variety of on-trend styles for women, men and children in athletic, comfort and dress categories, while providing a delightful and trusted shopping experience for our valued customers. Through Rack Room Shoes Gives, our ongoing philanthropic program, we provide ways in which customers and employees can seek support for charitable organizations, instilling trust and inspiration in the communities we serve. Media Contacts: Dejah Gilliam704-520-1248 Brenda XInstagramFacebook To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Kindergarten ‘Teacher of the Year' accused of sending child porn, MO cops say
A woman who in 2024 was named Teacher of the Year at her Missouri school is accused of sending child porn on social media, authorities say. Erika Morton, a kindergarten teacher in St. Francois County, is charged with five counts of promoting child pornography and five counts of child pornography possession, according to a probable cause statement. Using the social media platform Kik, Morton sent the videos in January and February during a 'sexually charged' conversation with another user, Missouri State Highway Patrol said. She acknowledged the victims in the videos are under the age of 18, troopers said. Morton admitted to sending the content during an interview with troopers, saying she sent them using her phone at her home in Ste. Genevieve, according to the charging documents. 'The suspect is employed as a kindergarten teacher at a public school in St. Francois County and has expressed a sexual interest in children,' authorities said. Farmington R-7 School District did not name the teacher but said in a statement to KSDK that a Truman Learning Center staff member 'is no longer employed' by the district after it learned of the allegations. The district does not believe the 'alleged incidents took place on school grounds or involved any Farmington R-7 students.' As first reported by KSDK, Morton was recognized during a December school board meeting as the school's Teacher of the Year. She taught in the district for 10 years. Records show Morton was jailed on a $1 million bond. Truman Learning Center is in Farmington, about a 70-mile drive south from St. Louis.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Beloved Sussex teacher's contract not renewed; parents rally in support
The Brief The Hamilton School District isn't renewing Woodside Elementary School teacher Cate O'Connell's contract. Ten instances of what the district calls "unprofessional behavior" were presented in a recent meeting. But parents call her a beloved teacher who cared about each of her students. SUSSEX, Wis. - The last day of school is truly the last for a teacher in Sussex. What we know The Hamilton School District isn't renewing her contract, and parents are rallying around her. They call her a beloved teacher who cared about each of her students. But district leaders say Woodside Elementary School teacher Cate O'Connell had a list of unprofessional behavior. In May, the Hamilton School Board made the unanimous decision not to renew O'Connell's contract. What they're saying Parents like Joe Fuller came out to show support for O'Connell. "We thought she was one of the absolute best in the district," Fuller said. "Cate was very proactive in her approach to helping these families – and not just the students. She was faulted for it." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android O'Connell was with the district for 11 years and was named "Teacher of the Year" during her time at another school district. "I just wish that more kids here could experience her as a teacher – because it hands down made it one of the best years he could have had," Hope Orvold, a concerned parent, said. When asked about what was going on, Hamilton superintendent Paul Mielke responded, "It's a personnel thing." Through an open records request, the school district did provide an hour-and-a-half-long audio recording of last month's non-renewal meeting. Ten instances of what the district calls "unprofessional behavior" were presented. She recorded a TikTok on company time, did not alert administrators when reporting a student concern to Child Protective Services, and she showed a tampon to students outside a human growth and development class. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Valery Jahn's daughter, Gigi, died by suicide last November. O'Connell was her former teacher. "She was a safe person, and I'm sure she will continue to be a safe person for many young people," Jahn said. "That is taking away a safe person for many students." Dig deeper O'Connell declined to speak with FOX6 News on camera, but shared more than 30 letters of support submitted by parents to the district. FOX6 reached out to O'Connell's attorney but never heard back, and her union representative did not return our calls. The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
