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.

Taniece Thompson-Smith recognized as the 2024 Texas State Teacher of the Year

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Taniece Thompson-Smith, an elementary school teacher from Abilene, Texas, has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit Abilene ISD

It is always my pleasure to share the news that an exceptional educator has earned accolades for her work in the classroom. Today, I share the story of Taniece Thompson-Smith, an elementary school teacher from Texas who has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Taniece teaches science and social sciences to fifth graders at Stafford Elementary School in Abilene. She has taught there for three years. Because she is the spouse of a military serviceman, Taniece has moved frequently, and so she has taught in numerous states throughout the country, and also in Jamaica and Japan. In all, her career as an educator spans 14 years.

The honored educator is a big believer in the power of education. “Education is a powerful equalizer; it’s not what you teach, it’s how you teach,” asserts Taniece. “Never underestimate the power of connections,” she declares. “We can’t teach our students to care about education until we show them that we care about them. Learning and growing together is a beautiful thing!” she continues.

In addition to her work with students, Taniece serves her campus in a variety of other ways, including leading district-level professional development workshops, acting as a mentor and speaker for 75 middle and high school girls, and presenting at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society International Organization.

Taniece earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brooklyn College in New York in 2002. She also earned her graduate-level teacher certification from Rider University in New Jersey in 2008 and a Master’s degree in Teaching with a Concentration in Multicultural and Social Justice Education from California State University in Fresno, California, in 2015.

In addition to her recognition as Texas State Teacher of the Year, Taniece earned similar honors from Stafford Elementary, Abilene Independent School District (ISD), and the Region 14 Education Service Center.

 

Taylar Flaming earns 2024 Horizon Award from Kansas State Dept. of Education

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Elementary school teacher Taylar Flaming has earned a 2024 Kansas Horizon Award from the Kansas State Department of Education. She is pictured here at center, with Superintendent Cory Gibson  at left and Starside Elementary School Principal Jan Hicks at right. Photo Credit: Starside Elementary School

I always enjoy sharing news about outstanding teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Today, I shine a spotlight on Taylar Flaming, an elementary school teacher from Kansas. She is one of 32 teachers who has been recognized with a 2024 Kansas Horizon Award from the Kansas State Department of Education.

Taylar teaches third grade at Starside Elementary School in De Soto. “Taylar is a great team player at Starside,” declared Jan Hicks, the school’s principal. “She seems to have an old soul and be so knowledgeable beyond her years. She is fantastic with students, parents and staff members,” Hicks continued. “She has a minor is special education from Pitt State. Because of this, I made her a SPED classroom. She has done a remarkable job working with the equipment necessary for her students and helping them be successful,” Hicks concluded.

Taylar earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University.

The Horizon Award is a program developed by the Kansas State Department of Education that honors and recognizes exemplary first-year teachers. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected for the award from each of four regions for a total of 32 teachers throughout the state of Kansas.

Congratulations, Taylar!

MD teacher Edwin Perez garners 2024 Latinx Educator of the Year Award

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Spanish teacher Edwin Perez of Maryland has garnered a 2024 Latinx Educator Award. Photo Credit: Maryland State Education Association

There are many outstanding educators throughout our country who have been honored for their work in the classroom. One of these is Edwin Perez, a teacher from Baltimore, Maryland. He has garnered the 2024 Latinx Educator of the Year Award from the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC).

Edwin teaches at Parkville High School, where he has worked for three years. He instructs courses in Advanced Placement Spanish Language & Culture; Spanish IV Honors; and Spanish IV Honors for Heritage Speakers. Before teaching at Parkville, he taught in Baltimore City for seven years.

The honored educator received his award during the Latinx Educator Awards Reception held in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 8. This year, 116 educators from around the country were nominated. According to LEC community engagement director Ivan Ramirez, this is not Edwin’s first nomination for the award. “People see his impact year after year and continue to nominate him,” Ramírez remarked. “Edwin excels at embodying the Latinx Educator Values and has proven to be a leader in education.”

In addition to his work with students, Edwin serves as the Chair of the Minority Affairs Committee of TABCO (Teachers Association of Baltimore County). As an educational leader, Edwin takes his role very seriously. “My concept of leadership has evolved,” he says. “I learned that leadership is more than just a job. It is more than an assignment. It is greater than a title. It is for life. I see that successful leadership is not just a top-down approach—it must be collaborative and inclusive,” he continues. “And I have learned that training, empowerment, collaboration, opportunity, and representation are key to the success of minority leaders,” he concludes.

Edwin, who is a graduate of Baltimore public schools, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Florida State University in 2003.

NYC dance teacher Sherry Fass garners 2023 Big Apple Award

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Middle school dance teacher Sherry Fass has garnered a 2023 Big Apple Award from New York City Public Schools. Photo Credit: Sherry Fass

There are many fine educators working in public schools in New York City. One of these, Sherry Fass, a middle school dance instructor, has garnered a 2023 Big Apple Award for her work in the classroom.

Sherry teaches at Louis Armstrong Middle School (IS 227), where she has taught dance for the past three years. In her classroom, she creates an environment where her students are independent learners and work well together. She prioritizes building student confidence, especially during the practice of the dances they are learning.

In addition to her work in the school, this honored educator works closely with the Dept. of Education (DOE) as a Big Apple Fellow, an Arts Liaison for the Queens DOE Dance Educators organization, a mentor to DOE Dance Educators in the Curriculum Development and Support Program, and an adjudicator for the Queens Borough Arts Festival. Through her extensive work in the DOE, Sherry has built partnerships with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Amy Marshall Dance Company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, and several artists from Symphony Space. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at Hofstra University in the Dance Education Department. And for nine years, from 2013 to 2022, she worked part-time at the Rosalind Academy of Dance in Oakdale. As a performer, Sherry has danced in competition settings, university theatres, private venues, and most recently, Radio City Music Hall.

Sherry has also contributed to her community. She developed, organized, and hosted a fundraiser for students enrolled in the Young Autism Program at Developmental Disabilities Institute at Skydive Long Island in 2008 and again in 2009. Through this effort, she raised $4,500 in 2008 and $5,500 in 2009 to benefit the Young Autism Program Charitable Foundation.

Sherry earned her  first Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from St. Joseph’s College, New York, in 2009. She earned a second Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education from Hofstra University in 2018. She earned her Master’s degree in Dance Education from New York University in 2021.

Here are some funny April Fool’s Day pranks to play on your students

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Looking for some funny pranks to play on your students on April Fool’s Day? Something new that you haven’t done before? Your students will enjoy a harmless April Fool’s prank because they provide a break from their normal, more serious routine. A funny prank signals that the teacher loves to put some humor into the serious business of learning. Get in on the fun on April 1 with one (or more!) of these good-natured pranks.

Humorous Announcements:

Make humorous announcements every hour on the hour. These could be fictionalized scenarios or jokes. For example, “I’ve just received word that everything for lunch will be pickle-themed. Banana pudding, banana smoothies, and meatloaf with banana.” If your students ask why the day is banana-themed, you could answer,  “Because students find bananas very a-peeling!”

The Old Lollipop Switcher

For this April Fools’ prank, simply unwrap a spherical-shaped lollipop such as (Dum-Dums), replace the candy inside with a Brussels sprout, and then re-wrap the treat to present to your unsuspecting students. After you have all had a good laugh, celebrate with real lolliepops.

The Old Fake Foot Exam Gambit:

For your elementary school students, tell your class you are having a visit from the school nurse, who will conduct a foot exam. By now, students have participated in numerous health exams, such as hearing tests or eye exams. Today, they will have a “foot exam.” For this drill, tell the students to take off their shoes and socks, roll up their pants, and sit on top of their desks. Then they have to clean their feet in a very specific manner. Make it as silly as you dare. They can spend several minutes  on their desks, while you compliment their feet, before you tell them “April Fools!”

Want more suggestions?

Want some more suggestions? Click on this link to 17 humorous pranks published by We Are Teachers.