ronald blanchard

lake charles, la | YEARS TAUGHT: 1977 - Present

Ronald believes that developing collaborative, productive working relationships is critical to the success of a teacher. His primary focus is to establish a foundation of confidence and trust. He builds this foundation of trust by visiting students and their parents in their homes before school starts, which allows him to understand the specific situation of each of his students. His classroom environment is not limited to the four walls of a school building. Many lessons are taught outside the classroom to provide real-life relevant experiences that students can use throughout their lives and educational careers.​
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2007      Award of Excellence, Louisiana Middle School Association
  • 2003      Teacher of the Year, Martin Luther King Coalition
  • 1997      High School Teacher of the Year, runner up, Calcasieu Parish School Board

kathleen engle

newcastle, wy | YEARS TAUGHT: 1980 - Present

Kathleen views teaching as a noble profession, focused on our future. She personalizes learning for students by recognizing their individual needs and responding to them. In her classroom, students set daily personal fitness objectives. Character counts as students learn self control, good decision making, and responsibility for their actions
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2000      Excellence in Education Alumni Award, Black Hills State University
  • 2000      Excellence in Education Award, Significant Contribution, Weston County School
                   District #1
  • 1999      Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, U.S. Dept. of Education
  • 1999      Team Nutrition Grant, Wyoming Dept. of Education
  • 1997      Milken National Educator Award
  • 1997      USWEST Teachers and Technology Award, USWEST
  • 1995      Disney Award Honoree
  • 1995      Central District Teacher of the Year, American Alliance for Health, Physical
                   Education, Recreation, and Dance
  • 1995      Good Apple Award, Weston County School District #1
  • 1994      State Teacher of the Year Award
  • 1994      Governor’s Youth Fitness Award, Wyoming Dept. of Education

penny ferguson

maryville, tn  | Years Taught: 1969 - Present

Penny feels that among the greatest gifts she gives her students are the tools to succeed in whatever academic environment they encounter. She wants her students to realize they must be lifelong learners and that they should not be content to think they have “learned it all."
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2007      Tennessee Education Association Teacher of Excellence
  • 2007      Selected as Director of Tennessee Center of Activity for National School Reform
                   Faculty
  • 2006      Recognized as a National Facilitator, National School Reform Faculty
  • 2003      Disney American Teacher Award
  • 2003      National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence
  • 2003      USA Today All-American Teacher Team, honorable mention
  • 2003      National Council of Teachers of English Teacher of Excellence Award
  • 2003      Recognized in Resolution No. 1083 for outstanding service to youth of Tennessee,
                   State of Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate
  • 2002      Chevy Malibu / Time Magazine Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2002      Unsung Heroes Award, Northern Life Insurance
  • 1998      Outstanding Teacher Award, Governor’s School for International Studies
  • 1997      21st Century Educator of the Year Award, 21st Century Magazine
  • 1996      Good Neighbor Teaching Award, National Council of Teachers of English and State
    ​               Farm

david lazerson

hollywood, fl | Years Taught: 1980 - Present

David uses individualized instruction, hands-on materials, and a multi-modality approach, along with adaptive technology and the motivational power of music in his classroom. He strives to avoid the notion of limitations; he tries to find his students’ special abilities and allow them to help in any way they can to allow them to rise above their challenges.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2008      Keynote address to the Annual Pediatric Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Conference held
                   in Coral Gables, FL
  • 2007      The Charmettes Inc. Leadership & Community Service Award
  • 2007      Arts Teacher of the Year Award, Broward County Public Schools
  • 2007      Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Buffalo
  • 2006      Arts Teacher of thee Year Semi-Finalist, Broward County Public Schools
  • 2005      Best Buy National Teacher Award
  • 2004      Special Achievement Award (honoring Project CURE), New York City
  • 1997      Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fulfilling the Dream, CBS TV Award
  • 1994      Mother Hale Award for Community Youth Service Award
  • 1993      Governor’s Citation for Outstanding Service, State of New York
  • 1993      Community Service Award, New York State Senate
  • 1993      Peace Site Award for Community Service, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
  • 1992      Mayor’s Superstars Award, City of New York
  • 1988      Published “Skullcaps ‘N Switchblades, a novel
  • 1981      Teacher of the Year, Buffalo, New York Public Schools
  • 1980      Scouter of the Year, Boy Scouts of America

suzanne ransleben

Corpus Christi, TX | Years Taught: 1968 - present

Suzanne embraces teaching as an opportunity to inspire and empower students to feel personally challenged by the experience of learning. She believes that being a part of students’ lives each day is a teacher’s opportunity to save the world, one child at a time.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2007, 2005      Texas Excellence in Teaching Lifetime Achievement, H.E. Butt Foundation
  • 2007, 2006      Outstanding Achievement Award, Texas Historical Society
  • 2006      Outstanding Teacher for Exceptional Performance in Motivating and Empowering
                   Today’s Youth, National Honor Roll
  • 2005      Excellence in Teaching Award, American Councils
  • 2004      USA Today All Teacher Team
  • 2004      Certified by National Board of Professional Teaching Standards
  • 2003      Texas Excellence in Teaching Leadership Award, H.E. Butt Foundation
  • 1998      Texas Certification of Commendation, Texas Historical Society
  • 1997      National Recognition for Advancement in the Arts
  • 1994      Teacher of the Year, Carroll High School
  • 1992      Texas Outstanding Teacher of Humanities
  • 1990      Special Recognition, United States Congress
  • 1990      Holocaust and Resistance National Teacher Award, Jewish Labor Committee
  • 1990      Teacher of the Year, Kaffie Middle School