Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell

About Terry Lee Marzell

Terry Lee Marzell holds a bachelor's degree in English from Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Cal State San Bernardino. She also holds a certificate for Interior Design Level 1 from Mt. San Antonio College. She has been an educator in the Corona Norco Unified School District for more than 30 years.

STEM educator Corey Hafer named Delaware’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

STEM educator Corey Hafer has been named Delaware’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Delaware Live

There are many outstanding educators in the United States who are deserving of recognition for the work they do with our young people. Some of them are honored each year by education officials in the state where they live. One of these is Cory Hafer, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher from Delaware. He has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Corey earned his Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Michigan in 2009. Soon after, he began work as a research technician for infectious diseases at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. While there, he discovered a passion for teaching, so he volunteered to lead learning experiences in the lab for students in New York City Public Schools. He returned to the university to continue his education, earning a Master’s degree in Biology Education from Columbia University in 2012.

Once he earned his Master’s degree, Cory accepted a position as a classroom teacher in Brooklyn. He taught chemistry, biology, forensic science, and theory of knowledge. Today, he teaches engineering courses at Middletown High School in Middletown, Delaware. He also advises the Technology Student Association and coaches tennis there. He has taught at Middletown since 2019. In all, his career as an educator spans 11 years.

“There are so many things I enjoy about teaching,” says Corey. “The first that comes to mind is always the excitement that shows on students’ faces when they finally realize they can do something challenging that they didn’t realize they could do,” he reveals. “When we start off year three of engineering, many students are intimidated by the equations they have to master. The first time they can apply the skill and realize they have mastered it is fun to watch!” he continues. “But even more than that, it is the learning that comes with teaching. Teaching concepts makes you learn them more deeply,” he concludes.

To read more about Corey Hafer, click on this link to an interview published by Appoquinimink School District.

Chalkboard books honored as 2024 American Legacy Book Award finalists!

Posted on by

I am beyond excited to announce that BOTH my books about exceptional teachers have been selected as finalists for the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards by American Book Fest! Both books, Chalkboard Champions and Chalkboard Heroes, were among the five finalists named in the Education//Academic category.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, stated that this year’s contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers from around the world. These entries were then narrowed down to the final results. Books were judged in over 100 categories, with one winner and two to five finalists in each category. Awards were presented for titles published between 2010 and 2023. To see the entire list of this year’s winners, click on this link: 2024 American Legacy Book Awards.

My first book, Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers Who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students, was published in 2012 by Wheatmark. This volume was followed by Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor, published in 2015, also by Wheatmark. Both books share biographical sketches of inspirational educators and their pioneering work in America’s public schools.

In addition to recognition from the American Legacy Book Awards, both volumes have earned praise from educators and educational authors (see the press page), and they have been placed in numerous academic and university libraries throughout the United States, including the University of Southern Mississippi, Rutgers University, Berea College, City University of New York, the University of Chicago, and the Autry Museum of the American West. Chalkboard Champions is also part of the collection of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Thank you so much, American Legacy Book Awards judging committee!

 

Missouri’s Lucy Foster Madison became a famous novelist

Posted on by

Teacher Lucy Foster Madison authored the “Peggy Owen” series, which was very popular with young girls in the early 20th century.

Many fine educators earn accolades for endeavors outside of the classroom. One of these is Lucy Foster Madison, a teacher from Missouri who became a famous novelist.

Lucy was born in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, on April 8, 1865, just as the Civil War was coming to a conclusion. When she was just a teenager, both her parents and her brother died, leaving Lucy to raise her two younger sisters by herself.

Despite these obstacles, Lucy graduated with high honors from high school in Louisiana, Missouri, in 1881. After her high school graduation, she completed courses at the State Normal School of Kirksville. There she studied Latin, French, and music under private tutelage. Lucy then became a school teacher first in Louisiana, Missouri, and later in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1893, Lucy entered a short story competition sponsored by a New York newspaper. She won second place with her entry. This event launched her career as a writer of novels and short stories. Her “Peggy Owen” series for girls were popular in the 20th century. Some of the outstanding books she published between 1899 and 1928 are A Maid of the First Century, A Maid at King Alfred’s Court, A Colonial Maid, A Daughter of the Union, Peggy Owen: Patriot, Peggy Owen at Yorktown, Peggy Owen and Liberty, Joan of Arc, Lafayette, A Life of Washington for Young People, and Lincoln.

In 1924, Lucy Foster Madison and her husband moved to a farm near Hudson Falls, Washington County, New York. In 1932, the former teacher suffered a stroke and, sadly, she passed away a few days later. She was 66 years old.

To read some of Lucy’s works on Project Gutenberg, click on this link: Lucy Foster Madison.

DC’s Katrina Abdussalaam recognized as a leading math educator

Posted on by

Middle school teacher Katrina Abdussalaam of Washington, DC, recognized as a leading mathematics educator. Photo Credit: PAEMST

Our nation’s students are fortunate to have many exceptional educators working diligently in our schools. One of these is Katrina Abdussalaam, a middle school school teacher from Washington, DC.

Katrina currently teaches mathematics to fifth and sixth graders at Friends School in College Park, Maryland. She has been at the school since 2017. Previously, she taught in Washington, DC, where she worked from 2001 to 2013. While there, she pioneered the innovative Singapore Math program. She also wrote cutting-edge mathematics curriculum for Common Core. She also specialized in adapting the New York State Common Core mathematics curriculum for English-language learners, students with disabilities, gifted students, and struggling students.

For her work as an educator over the course of the last two decades, Katrina earned a coveted PAEMST Award (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching) in 2012. The PAEMST recognizes the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a visit to the White House and a $10,000 cash prize.

Katrina earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Haverford College in 1998. She completed the requirements for her teaching certificate from American University. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Maryland in 2024.