10 Most Inspiring Teachers l Most Inspirational of the Month

10 Inspiring Teachers

Teachers are more than just individuals who instruct others about a particular subject; they are people who change lives and inspire us to do great things. Educators can ignite a fire of interest in a particular field of study, they can encourage a talent and help you craft it or they can simply just be the reinforcement and moral support that you need in life.

This month we are honoring inspiring teachers who have went above and beyond for their students. These individuals have changed and inspired the lives of many. They have displayed extreme courage and perseverance no matter what the odds were.

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Randy Wormald

High School Math Teacher at Belmont High School in Belmont, NH

Known to his students as Mr. Worm, Randy Wormald has taught math for 14 years. During that time, he’s won several awards including: New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, Disney Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year, top five finalists for The Great American Teacher Award and most recently second place in Best Teacher in America. Notably, Wormald was featured in the book One-on-One with America’s Most Inspiring Teachers and in the documentary The Elements of Style.

In high school, Wormald took a computer-based interest test that recommended that he avoid a career in teaching and venture to a career that was more hands-on and action-based. That theory is what Wormald bases his educational philosophy around. He has cultivated his teaching style to be energetic and very involved. “What better thing to do to have a kid get it. If I’m not having fun, they’re not having fun,” Wormald said.

Shella Condino

Science Teacher at Presidio High School in Presidio, TX

Shella Condino grew up in the Philippines very poor and came to America in hopes of making a difference. Condino is a physics teacher at Presidio High School. She took the job in the small town of Presidio because no one else would and she wanted to use her innovative techniques to educate students.

As a physics teacher, Condino uses aerospace to teach kids the subject of physics while allowing them to have a hands-on approach to learning. Five years ago, she started the Rocketry Club that consists of students at the middle and high school levels. In 2012, Condino’s Rocket Club competed in a nationwide competition and placed 11th out of 100 teams. Condino was chosen by the National Aviation Hall of Fame committee as the 2011 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year. Without a doubt, Condino’s resourcefulness, creativity and willingness to give her all to her students solidifies her as an inspirational teacher.

Marilyn Gambrell

Former Parole Officer and CEO/Teacher at No More Victims in Houston, TX

Marilyn Gambrell is a former parole officer who felt compelled to make a difference in the lives of children whose parents are currently incarcerated. Gambrell decided to start the organization No More Victims, which was an hour long class that Gambrell facilitated. Over the years, Gambrell has saved hundreds of lives and instilled the confidence and power that many students were lacking in order to turn their lives around.

Gambrell said, “My favorite aspect to my job is when our children feel safe enough to release their pain, fears and secrets that have kept them emotionally paralyzed and to actually witness them begin to breathe their own air.”

In 2005 Gambrell’s story, Fighting the Odds, was made into a television movie on the Lifetime network. Many of her students recognize Gambrell as the force of change that their lives needed in order to make something out of their lives. “I’m not going to stop at all costs,” Gambrell said. Nonetheless, No More Victims has attracted the attention of celebrities like hip-hop artist Chamillionaire who support the organization.

Gregg Breinberg

Elementary Music Teacher at in Staten Island, NY

Innovative, inspirational and talented are just a few of the words that describe music teacher Gregg Breinberg. He has developed the famous PS22 Chorus at his school in Staten Island, NY. Breinberg has helped craft the voices of his school chorus. He named the chorus PS22, after the school. Then Breinberg started a blog and featured videos of the children singing on You Tube. The group received the attention of countless celebrities and even earned the children an appearance at the Oscars. The children are so engaged, there’s no words to describe the emotions that their voices evoke from within themselves and their audience. It’s nothing short of amazing. Breinberg helps his students build confidence and use music as an emotional outlet.

“My students have taught me to smile through the tough stuff. So many of these kids have been through more than you can ever imagine and yet they come into the auditorium to sing their hearts out. When they’re making music, nothing else matters,” Breinberg said. Without a doubt, Breinberg has empowered his students in more ways than just musically; he’s helped them identify from within who they are and they will be able to take that gift with them forever.

Michelle Shearer

High School Chemistry Teacher at Urbana HS in Ijamsville, MD

Originally Shearer was a pre-medical student at Princeton University. She began to volunteer at a school for the deaf and based on her experience she decided that she wanted to change her major. She decided to earn a teaching certificate in addition to a Bachelor degree in chemistry. Before teaching at Urbana High School, Shearer taught at the Maryland School for the Deaf and was the first teacher to offer and AP Chemistry class in the school’s 135-year history.

In 2011, Shearer was named the 61st National Teacher of the Year. “Technology and teaching strategies certainly enhance my efforts, but my recognition of the power of human connection seems to have the most profound effect on my student’s achievement,” Shearer said.
All of her students, during her 14 years of teaching, have nothing but good things to say and state that Shearer’s teaching methods have had a powerful impact on their education.

Joe Louis Clark

Former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ (Subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me)

Clark is a former Army drill instructor and carries out his career in education in the same military fashion. Instead of offering sympathy, Clark believes that you must demand respect and display that through strict leadership tactics. In 1982, Clark became the principal at Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ, which was known for high crime rates. Clark made it his mission to initiate change and restructure the school and the students. In one week Clark expelled 300 students for fighting, vandalism, drug possession, profanity or abusing teacher. In 1985, his school was declared a model school by the New Jersey governor and in 1986 he was named one of the nation’s ten “Principals of Leadership.”

Clark was portrayed in the film Lean on Me by Morgan Freeman. Later, Clark was featured on the front page of Time and two episode profiles on 60 minutes for his effective educational tactics. In 1990, Clark resigned from Eastside High and began a public speaking career. Later in 1995, he was appointed as the director of Essex County Detention House and took on the challenge of helping juveniles within the detention center. Since then, Clark has written books and spoke at conferences sharing his strategies and stories. Clark never gave up and remained determined to educate those who lacked the discipline and self control necessary to succeed.

Ron Clark

Teacher and Founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA

Oprah Winfrey’s first “Phenomenal Man”, the inspiration behind the made for TV movie The Ron Clark Story and 2001’s Disney Teacher of the Year award are just a few of Ron Clark’s achievements. Clark began his teaching career in North Carolina and soon ventured on to Harlem in New York City as he worked with disadvantaged students in inner city settings. He was inspired and developed the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA. His unique program and curriculums help students excel. Clark is known for his ability to raise test scores utilizing his unique teaching methods, creativity and 55 classroom rules.

The Ron Clark Academy is a non-profit middle school that selects students who will benefit the most from the academy’s innovative approach to education and traveling experiences. Clark has incorporated technology within the curriculum so that students can use these devices to broaden their learning horizons; this allows students to take classes in photography, music production and business leadership. Using the latest technology, instilling structure and innovative educational techniques has helped Ron Clark set the bar for other educators and schools.

Erin Gruwell

Teacher and Motivational Speaker (Inspired the film Freedom Writers)

Erin Gruwell began teaching inner city students in 1994 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA. During a lesson, derogatory words were exchanged between students; Gruwell stepped in comparing the derogatory words to the Holocaust. Surprisingly, some of the students didn’t know what the Holocaust was. From then on she made it her mission to change the lives of these children. She purchased books using her own money and gave students books to keep. In order to further understand the students’ situations, Gruwell decided to use writing as an outlet. The students wrote life journals, their entries were shared unanimously in class for discussion and reflection.

Gruwell made several sacrifices in her life to make sure the kids were successful. Even her marriage was a sacrifice because her husband didn’t support her involvement with the students; they soon divorced. However, Gruwell has said that watching all the kids graduate made everything worth it. Gruwell’s story was made into a major motion film called Freedom Writers and she was portrayed by Hillary Swank. Now as a motivational speaker and founder of Freedom Writers Foundation, Gruwell still empowers students and teachers to become their own Freedom Writers.

Amy Gibson

High School English Teacher at Huffington High School

Amy Gibson has been an English teacher at Huffington High School for 37 years. In 2012 Gibson was awarded the John F. Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award; in addition she was awarded $10,000. Former student Allie Bolen nominated Gibson for the award. In her essay Bolen, referred to Gibson as a “Victorian woman” who has a strict yet respectful reputation. She goes on to say that Gibson made a life changing impression on her, Gibson is the reason why she has a voice and has become more confident.

Gibson has taught at Catholic schools in Baltimore and in St. Mary’s County. She believes that staying enthusiastic about teaching is the key to being effective. This is not Gibson’s first award; in 2004 she was named the Calvert County Teacher of the Year and has also received honors from the College Board, the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism and Yale University.

Catherine Maw

5th grade Elementary School Teacher at Donlin Drive Elementary School

For the past 15 years Catherine Maw has taught, carrying on the third generation of teaching within her family. Maw is the latest receipt of the Technology Alliance of Central New York’s Outstanding Teacher Award. She was selected because she has inspired students in math, science, engineering and technology with her hands-on activities. Maw has incorporated rocket building challenges and other simulation to increase the interest and the overall educational outcome that students will receive.

Maw loves to read and is known for reading books that interest her students, so that they have common interests to discuss and the children appreciate that she is willing to relate to them. “Hard work pays off and learning can be fun and exciting,” Maw said. She works very hard so that her students have a fun learning environment that offers them options and to further their interests.