Terry Lee Marzell is a retired educator, having worked in public secondary schools in Corona, California, for 36 years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Fullerton (1981), and acquired her teaching credential in English that same year. She earned a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from California State University, San Bernardino, in 2001. In addition, in October, 2015, Terry earned her credential in Library Science at California State University, Long Beach. The credential program included numerous courses in Educational Technology.
In 1996, Terry successfully completed the program for the Inland Area Writing Project. She is also a member of two honors societies: Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key International Honor Society. In 2019, she was inducted into the Kappa Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a prestigious organization to honor women educators. To develop her artistic side, Terry has fulfilled the requirements for Level 1 coursework in Interior Design at Mount San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, California (2006).
On May 9, 2019, Terry earned recognition from the California State Legislature for her work in education, her leadership, and her service. The honor was presented to her by Assemblyman Phillip Chen (District 55).
A veteran educator, Terry has taught English, developmental reading, advanced reading, drama, journalism, library science, geography, and interior design. She has also served as her school’s cheerleading adviser for four years, the drama coach for two years, and the newspaper adviser for five years.
Throughout her long career, Terry has worked with English-language learners and students in honors courses, and she has been a mentor for both International Baccalaureate candidates and special education students. She has also mentored several college-level student teachers. Furthermore, Terry has seven years of experience as a home-stay coordinator, English-language instructor, and tour escort for students from abroad.
Terry also served as her school’s Media Specialist/Teacher Librarian for eight years. In this role, Terry taught lessons in research skills and computer literacy; she organized library programming; and she also served as a liaison with local public library personnel who shared her school’s joint-use facility. During this time, Terry published two books about outstanding teachers in American history. Her books have been added to the libraries of several prestigious universities throughout the United States.
Since her retirement, Terry has served as first a co-president and currently as the president of her local division of the California Retired Teachers Association, and she edits their monthly newsletter. She has worked as an adult-literacy tutor for her community library, has volunteered at an area no-kill pet shelter, and has organized numerous community service projects in her area. Also, she participates in a weekly Inlandia writing workshop and her local book club. She continues to write, and also makes personal appearances as a guest speaker.
Published Works
Unleashed! The Dog Park Chronicles. Gatekeeper Press: Tampa, Florida, 2024.
The Schlesingers: A Family History. Claymont, Delaware: Storyworth, 2024. (Private Printing)
“One Wild Ride.” 2022 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2023.
“The Pen.” 2022 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2023.
“Second Chances: Two Very Different Visits to the Dead Sea.” We Said Go Travel, June 12, 2022, https://www.wesaidgotravel.com/second-chances-two-very-different-visits-to-the-dead-sea/. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023.
“A Sewing Machine.” 2021 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2022.
“My Introduction to French Cuisine.” 2021 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2022.
“Flash Flood Casualties.” 2020 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2021.
“The Beauty in a Hundred Mundane Moments.” 2020 Writing from Inlandia, Inlandia Institute: Riverside, California, 2021.
Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor. Wheatmark: Tucson, Arizona, 2015.
“Moonplay in Egypt.” We Said Go Travel, Jan. 30, 2015, https://www.wesaidgotravel.com/moonplay-egypt/. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023.
Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers Who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students. Wheatmark: Tucson, Arizona, 2012.