PATT PARKER

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Patt Parker is involved in grassroots organizations and serves as the 2nd Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW). Patt has worked as campaign manager for candidates at the local, state and national levels. She became active in grassroots after her retirement as a senior civilian from the Department of Defense. Her earlier career was as a teacher/administrator in Christian schools where she taught history and government. Patt serves on the Legislative Committee of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce; Calvert County United Way Women’s Initiative, and as Christian Education director of Dunkirk Baptist Church.

Patt’s passion is to train leaders – national and international- and to work with people of all ages to know, appreciate and treasure the founding principles of our nation and in an understanding of the basics of democracy.

Patt received her Master of Science in National Security from the National War College and an MBA from Marymount University. Patt is the daughter, wife of a and mother of a veteran. She is the mother of two sons, and grandmother of four granddaughters. She lives in Dunkirk, Maryland with her husband Geoff and Australian Cattle Dog, Kiwi, and orange tabby cat, Flicker.

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ROCHELLE PORTO

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Rochelle A. Porto is a Philadelphia public elementary school teacher and the proud single mother of a 24-year-old daughter. A native of Wildwood Crest, NJ, Rochelle completed her education degree at Glassboro State/Rowan University. Upon graduation, she was employed by the American Red Cross in Philadelphia where she began a workplace health and safety education program. She took time off to raise her daughter and returned in 1993 to start a business in educational workplace health and safety and through this found her calling to become a teacher in literacy. In 1999, she began her current career as a public school teacher and finished her Masters in Education at St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania. Then in 2009, she earned her Special Education Certification from Holy Family University. Rochelle is a second year candidate in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. At school, she is hosting Patriot Clubs for grades 1-6. In the summer she continues her work through the Philadelphia Recreation Department. She is an active member of Constituting America, Saturday Morning in America and the Independence Hall Tea Party Association.

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BRYANT PEARSON

Bryant Pearson was born and raised in Russellville, Arkansas. He was educated at Arkansas State University where he graduated in 1986 with a BS degree in Political Science. In August of 1986 became a missionary to Uganda where he spent 2 years working with college and youth students He also spent time in Ethiopia during the “We are the World” feeding crisis working with the poorest of the poorest. After returning to the states he started his career as a financial professional with Primeria in 1989. In 1990, Mr. Pearson married his college sweetheart and they just celebrated 24 years of marriage. He has a 14 year old son and a 16 year daughter. He has volunteered and worked in the Garland Independent School District for more than 12 years. In 2007 he started The Bowtie Boys and has worked diligently since that time to make a difference in the lives of as many young men as possible.

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TOM MCLAUGHLIN

Hi, my name is Tom McLaughlin and I teach 7th grade Texas History and 8th grade US History at “THE” Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in Dallas Independent School District. I have 8 years’ experience as a Social Studies Teacher. My previous careers include National Account Manager for Novacopy Inc, Retail Manager for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, Customer Service Manager for Fotoball USA and Pepperidge Farms Route Driver. My favorite quote is by Albert Einstein – “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”. That has been true throughout my life.

I began my working career fresh out of Seagoville High School in Dallas ISD by joining the US Navy in July 1978. In my 16+ years serving in the Navy I had the opportunity to visit many different countries throughout the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean and South American coast. While in the Navy, I served in a Leadership capacity at most of my duty stations, consistently being placed in a position of training my subordinates. A teaching career was always in the cards, I just didn’t know it. I retired from the US Navy in December 1993 as a Recruiter-in-Charge of Navy Recruiting Station Aurora, Colorado.

After retirement I decided to, as John Babsone Lane Soule stated, “GO WEST YOUNG MAN”. Now I know that most think Horace Greely said it first but check your History books. I went out to California to “see what was there”. The whole time I was out there I kept feeling a tug to “come home”. After finally coming home and working a variety of jobs, including Warehouse Manager for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, I finally settled down to teaching Middle School Social Studies in the Dallas ISD. I have taught 6th grade World Cultures, 7th grade Texas Studies and 8th grade US Studies in my 8 years of teaching.

One of the many highlights in my teaching career includes getting on our local FOX TV stations on the 9 O’Clock and 10 O’Clock news for wearing a Tutu all day for my students. NOTE TO SELF – Do not bet the students if 95% pass the state test that you will wear a Tutu, especially if your Step Daughter works for the Evening News Anchor. I had 100% pass and 40% get Commended. Another highlight was getting to teach at Seagoville Middle School and having some of my students be the children of some of my classmates from Seagoville HS. What a blessing that was.

I now teach at “The” Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in the Dallas ISD AND I LOVE IT! Our main philosophy here is that we “TEACH AND THEN TEST, WE DO NOT TEACH TO THE TEST”. Our school mission statement is “Develop young men into impactful leaders through the development of their intellectual, moral, physical, social and emotional skills for the global society of tomorrow”. We have all made a commitment to this – teachers, parents and students – and it works. As our Principal, Nakia Douglas, is quick to tell people – “We are who we are and we make no excuses about it”. Parents, Teachers and Students coming together to ensure the student has the best education possible, not only while they are her but getting them prepared for what is to come.

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CAROL ALEXANDER

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Carol Alexander is an Educational Consultant who served as a project director and co-creator of a web site for youth for the San Jose, CA Police Department and program coordinator/liaison for the law related education program between the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the San Jose Unified School District. She is the author of several math books for elementary teachers. She currently is the National Federation of Republican Women’s Literacy Committee Chairman and volunteers for Mt. Evans Hospice in Colorado.

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NANCY ARNOLD

Nancy Arnold has been an elementary teacher for more than 30 years, and continues to teach 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Honors Creative Writing at Benchmark School in Phoenix AZ. She is also the author of Patriotic Pups, a children’s book about George Washington and some of his fellow Patriots. As part of her mission to inspire patriotism and to teach about the founding fathers and mothers, Nancy dresses as Martha Washington and presents a historical program at schools and civic organizations. Nancy and her husband have two grown children and two grandchildren. She is delighted to be associated with Constituting America, and to have had a student win one of the poetry sections in last year’s contest.

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MELISSA BELL

Melissa Bell began her teaching career in 1991, and has taught on the grammar, middle, high school, and college levels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Mississippi College. She became a member of the ECCS faculty in 2004. She and her husband, Wally, have three children–Bonnie, Drury, and Charlie–all of whom attend ECCS. The Bells attend Evangel Church.

When she is not in the classroom or principal’s office, Mrs. Bell enjoys scrapbooking and reading. Her favorite scripture is Ecclesiastes 5:18-19, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man…his lot and enables him to enjoy it, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.”

“Coming to Evangel was a life-changing move for me and my family. At Evangel, we are confident that our children are being taught in a manner that reinforces our Christian values and our philosophy of education. Also at Evangel, I have found a work environment that is unlike any other I have ever experienced. The level of support that teachers are afforded here by our Principal, our Board, and our parents, along with the absolute integrity and order with which all matters are approached, make ECCS a truly wonderful place to teach.”

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CAROLE CHALLONER

Carole Challoner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a child she traveled the world with her family while her father served proudly in the United States Air Force. The military lifestyle instilled an appreciation and love of country.

Her father’s 21 years of service in the military came to an end and they made Arizona their permanent home. Arizona State University provided Carole with the tools to become a teacher and begin “inspiring youth”. After teaching for a few years she married and had two wonderful boys to keep her busy. When her boys reached school age Carole went back to teaching. In 1998, she and three fellow teachers founded a charter school, Benchmark Elementary and Preschool. Benchmark is every teacher’s dream. The school continues to be recognized as one of the high performing schools in the state of Arizona.

Love of country, love of learning, and love of community is a daily lesson for all Benchmark students. They are the foundation for producing productive, caring adults.

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BOBBIE DARROCH

Barbara (Bobbie) Darroch is a Charter Holder and co-Principal of Benchmark Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. It was exciting when one of our sixth grade students won “Best Poem grades 3-6” last year.

As an American she had the privilege of growing up as a child of the world. Her dad was an engineer with an international construction firm so they lived and worked in local communities. When she was in first grade in Johannesburg, South Africa she was taught the third verse to the Star Spangled Banner and the Preamble to the American Constitution with all her Afrikaner classmates. (Interesting that our Preamble spoke to that teacher.) Her Jr. High and High School years in Pakistan, Columbia, Lebanon and Iran really brought home what unique freedoms and opportunities were afforded to Americans that others did not have. Flying into New York City and seeing the Statue of Liberty in the harbor; hearing the Star Spangled Banner; celebrating the 4th of July always makes her heart swell with pride. She is thrilled to be a part of this organization dedicated to educating the youth and adults of our country about the importance and relevance of our Constitution.

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JAMES INGRAM

James Ingram received his Bachelors of Science from Texas Wesleyan University and a Masters of Education from Texas Christian University. He celebrated 34 years of teaching the fifth grade at Eagle Mountain Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas. During his time there, he was the first recipient of the Elementary District Teacher of the Year award and the Extended Service Award from the Eagle Mountain Elementary PTA. In February of 2007, Mr. Ingram was honored by the Saginaw Area Commerce with the Educator of the Year Award and in May of 2007, the school board passed a resolution to rename the performance stage at the elementary school in honor of Mr. Ingram’s retirement.

In his 34 years, Mr. Ingram taught over 2,000 students. During his tenure he put on many theatrical productions with his students. He began this journey with historical musicals such as 1776, Camelot, and Shenandoah. Janine Turner made her debut on his stage as Martha Jefferson in one of his productions of 1776. His experience culminated in the much-anticipated William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet; a project that had been 25 years in the making. Mr. Ingram is pleased to continue influencing future generations as he joins the Education Advisory Board.

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ALYSSA LOMBARDI

Alyssa Lombardi spent her childhood in Minnesota, moving out east to attend Christendom College in Front Royal, VA. Upon graduating with a B.A. in History, she began teaching at St. Louis School in Alexandria, VA, and remained there for six years. In 2009, she began a new career as a civilian in the United States Coast Guard, as an analyst for the National Pollution Funds Center. Her hobbies include reading, writing, drawing, and simply being active. In her free time, she coaches JV softball for Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA, and plays on two other softball teams– one for the USCG and another for Fairfax County, VA.

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TIM SEYMORE

Tim Seymore is the Superintendent of Jayton-Girard Independent School District in Jayton, Texas. In addition, he is the founder of www.wybo.co, a website dedicated to the lost art of “Working Your Butt Off!” He has a wonderful wife, Mandy, and two great kids, Shelby, 17 and Joshua, 14. Running a government entity, while at the same time espousing the necessity of returning to the constitutionally mandated, limited government that our forefathers had in mind, sometimes presents its challenges for Tim. Balancing the need to receive adequate funding from limited tax dollars, while at the same time trying to meet all the mandates the bureaucracy places on the schools is a difficult, but worthy task. Whenever decisions must be made in reference to the aforementioned dilemma, one must remember, “The Kids Must Come First!”

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BILL SHELNUTT

Bill Shelnutt is the Head of Preparatory School at Mt. Pisgah Christian School in the Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek, Georgia. He is a life-long learner and lover of history. Bill is a graduate of Buffalo State University, and has earned both a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and an MBA from Oglethorpe University and Reinhardt University respectively. Bill believes, as John Adams did, that “children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom”, and to that end he strives to ensure that his students understand our country’s founding documents in order to be more informed and enlightened citizens of our great nation. Bill and his wife have twin toddlers and they enjoy the outdoors and spending time together at home or traveling.

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JOHN WHITEHURST

John Whitehurst was born in Poughkeepise, New York, but raised in Marietta, Georgia where he graduated from Walton High School. He earned in BA in history and English from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia and is currently working on his MA in history from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has taught history, political science, economics, and English for the past fourteen years at private schools in metropolitan Atlanta. He is currently the history department head at Mount Pisgah Christian School in Johns Creek, Georgia where he teaches US history and AP US history as well as sponsoring student government and the student honor council.

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