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.

Teachers, students can learn from a tour of Key West’s Truman Little White House

Posted on by

The author and her husband, Hal Marzell, enjoyed a tour of the President Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida, while on a recent trip to this charming city. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

Many educators would agree that one of the best methods of experiential learning is travel. Travel allows the student—and the teacher who practices lifelong learning—to fully experience a locale with all the senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. And one of the most interesting destinations for travel for both students and teachers is Key West. On a recent visit to this charming little city, my husband Hal and I toured the President Harry S. Truman Little White House.

This museum house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is Florida’s only presidential museum. The structure was originally built in 1890 as a residence for officers in the US Navy. However, the home has served important visitors such as inventor Thomas Edison, who occupied the home during World War I while he was working on depth charge research for the Navy. It has also been used by six American presidents. The home served as the winter White House of President Truman, who spent 175 days of his presidency there during the years of 1946 through 1952. These were times when Truman faced such daunting tasks as rebuilding Europe following WWII and responding to such pressing issues as the Palestine question, Civil Rights, labor unrest, changes in US foreign policy, and the national response to the Cold War.

In addition to Truman, other sitting presidents who spent time at the Key West retreat include William Howard Taft in 1912; Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1955-1956; and John F. Kennedy in 1961 and 1962. Presidents who spent time there after they left office include Jimmy Carter in 1996 and 2007 and Bill Clinton in 2005.

Here is the presidential limousine used by Truman while he was in office. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

To my eye, the house seemed charming, yet very humble for a presidential home. This is in keeping with what I’ve learned by Truman in my reading—it seems that he was a very unassuming man who lived a very modest lifestyle. This house was furnished primarily in 1940’s rattan pieces featuring cotton chintz-covered cushions in green and red florals, matching draperies, and walls painted in a soothing shade of celery green. The most intriguing furniture piece was Truman’s poker table, a gift constructed in 1949 specifically for him by three civilian contractors working in the US Naval Station cabinet shop. Truman was an avid poker player. Historical items such as President Truman’s briefcase, books, telephone, and his famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign are still on display on the desk he used. And visitors can also see his presidential limousine on display. The grounds are lovely, with expansive green lawns and lush tropical plants throughout. In fact, the site is one of the very few presidential sites that can be rented for social events and weddings.

A visit to this museum house would certainly supplement history lessons about the time period when Truman was president, and would serve to inspire conversations about Truman as a historical figure.

If it is possible to lead a field trip to Key West, the Truman Little White House is located at 111 Front Street in Key West, Florida. The house is open daily, year-round from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are $22.95 for visitors age 13 and over, and $10 for children age 4—10. Children under 4 are free. If visiting in person, you can enjoy an informative tour with a knowledgable guide. You and your students can also learn more about the site by clicking on this website: Truman Little White House. Whether your visit is in person or online, I bid you happy learning!

NYC honors SpEd teacher Andre Clark with a Big Apple Award

Posted on by

Special Education teacher and Assistant Basketball Coach Andre Clark has garnered a 2023-2024 Big Apple Award. Photo credit: Andre Clark

New York City is very proud of their public school teachers. In fact, city leaders regularly recognize exceptional educators with their annual Big Apple Award. For the 2023-2024 school year, one of the educators honored was Special Education teacher Andre Clark.

For the past three years, Andre has taught at Frederick Douglass Academy, a co-educational public school for grades 6-12 located in West Harlem, New York City. In fact, the school is Andre’s own alma mater. He graduated from the institution in 2011. In addition to his work in the classroom, Andre has worked for the past seven years as an Assistant Coach of the Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team. In this role, he  has been able to use his experience as a former captain and excellent player at Fredrick Douglas Academy to help guide his scholar athletes.
And as if this were not enough, the honored educator has also served as an instructor of the Special Olympics for 15 years. He has worked as a mentor at LaVelle’s School of the Blind in the Bronx, where he combats bullying. And he has been a Big Brother for the past 11 years.
Andre earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Saint Mary, a Catholic University located in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Teaching from the City College of New York in 2023.
This year, the Big Apple Award was presented to 49 exceptional New York City teachers. Each one was nominated by their principal for work in the profession that inspires students, models great teaching, and enriches school communities. The recipients were chosen through a rigorous selection process that included community nominations, principal recommendations, classroom visits, an interview, and a review by a board of judges. To learn more about the program and this year’s recipients, click on this link to Big Apple Awards.

Ohio community mourns loss of English teacher Shannon Wigfield

Posted on by

Members of the academic community are mourning the loss of Language Arts teacher Shannon Wigfield, who perished in a horrific school bus accident. Photo credit: LinkedIn

Hearts are heavy in Bolivar, Ohio, this week as the community mourns the loss of English teacher Shannon Wigfield. She perished in a horrific school bus accident on Tues., Nov. 14. The beloved educator taught at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia. She was 46 years old.

The group on the bus was on their way to the Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where the Tuscarawa Valley High School Band was scheduled to perform. Shannon had agreed to serve as a parent chaperone because one of her three children was a member of the band.

The horrific accident also claimed the lives of three students, Tuscarawa Valley High School mathematics teacher Dave Kennat, and fellow parent chaperone Kristy Gaynor. According to police authorities, the accident occurred when the bus the students were traveling in was hit by a commercial semitrailer traveling in the same direction, resulting in a five-vehicle chain reaction.

The loss of the beloved educator has been very difficult for those who knew her, according to Bob Alsept, Superintendent of Buckeye Career Center. He remembers Shannon as, “A wonderful teacher, but more than what she taught, she really made them feel special about themselves, wouldn’t let them fail, could be hard on them as she needed to be, but also let them know that she cared deeply about their success,” he says. “I never remember seeing her and thinking she was having anything but a great day because she had a smile on her face and just carried herself enthusiastically and you know what? That rubs off on students, they are drawn to that,” Alsept continued.

Shannon was born on May 10, 1977, in Dennison, Ohio. She graduated from Claymont High School in Uhrichsville, Ohio, in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Ohio University in 2000. Her career as an educator spanned 24 years.

Our sincerest condolences to Shannon’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Ohio teacher Dave Kennat perishes in horrific school bus accident

Posted on by

Members of the academic community in Ohio are mourning the loss of high school mathematics teacher Dave Kennat. He perished in a horrific school bus accident on Nov. 14. Dave taught at Tuscarawa Valley High School in Zoarville. Photo credit: Solid Rock Photos

Members of the academic community in Ohio are mourning the loss of high school mathematics teacher Dave Kennat. He passed away in a horrific school bus accident on Tues., Nov. 14. The beloved educator lived in Navarre and taught at Tuscarawa Valley High School in Zoarville, Ohio, for the past 31 years. He was 56 years old.

The horrific accident also claimed the lives of three students and two parent chaperones. According to police authorities, the accident occurred when the charter bus the students were traveling in was hit by a commercial semitrailer traveling in the same direction. The adults were following the bus, and were in one of five vehicles that were also involved in the crash.

Dave instructed courses in College Placement Algebra II, Algebra II, and Introduction to Microsoft Office. “I take my mathematical thinking with me to every endeavor and believe that problem solving is one of the most important traits a person can have,” Dave once remarked. “I hope I can impart a sense of problem solving to my students as this may be the most important lesson they learn,” he continued.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Dave also served his school as the Ski Club Advisor. He once confessed that he thinks about skiing all year, and hoped to share this passion with his students. He also enjoyed camping, hiking,kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and gardening.

Dave also volunteered at Wanake Camp and Retreat Center in Beach City, Ohio, for 33 years. There he worked as a counselor, assistant director, photographer, and videographer.

The fallen educator will be sorely missed by students at the school. “I always loved him in class. He was always super energetic, made class fun. Really just an easy guy to talk to,” recalls student John Leffler, a senior. “Really unfortunate that he’s not going to be there anymore,” Leffler continues.

Dave earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1989. He earned his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction of Computer Science in 1999 from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, 1999.

Our sincerest condolences to family, friends, and colleagues of all those who passed away and all those who were injured.