Happy Birthday, Alan Haskvitz

As reported by the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Haskvitz began his studies at Chaffey Junior College, earning an Associate of Arts. He went on to receive degrees in education, journalism, American studies and business from California State University, Memorial University and the University of La Verne.

Haskvitz is an inductee at the National Teachers Hall of Fame. He has also been called a “Hero in Education” by reader’s digest and is considered an expert in the subjects of special and gifted education, history, administration, bilingual education, journalism, English, social studies, art, business, computers, museumology and Asian studies.

He is best known for his accomplishments within the classroom. As a teacher at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut, Calif., he worked miracles for his students. In his first year teaching, his students’ standardized test scores were only in the 22nd percentile. By utilizing his teaching method, Haskvitz helped his class’s scores rocket to the 94th percentile—the largest gain in California history.

In a bio on Educational CyberPlayGround, Haskvitz is described as a teacher who actively encourages his students to put their education to use. His students have founded a ‘green’-minded “Feed the Homeless” garden, started a daily newsletter for local maternity wards, and have drafted numerous revisions to California state laws, succeeding in a few instances.

In the aftermath of 9/11, Time Magazine wrote of Haskvitz, “at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut, Calif., Alan Haskvitz interrupted his seventh-grade lesson on the Boston Tea Party to discuss the difference between civil disobedience and terrorism. ‘We pulled out maps,’ he says. ‘We talked about how Arabs are not necessarily Muslims and vice versa. We handed out newspapers, and for the first time, instead of just reading the sports section, they wanted to take them home.’”

On ReachEveryChild.com Haskvitz maintains that he “works tirelessly to improve and advance his profession.” He continues to teach at Suzanne Middle School, to write, to lecture and to consult on educational issues.