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.

NYC PE teacher Reyes Andon garners a 2025 Golden Apple Award

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Elementary school teacher Reyes Andon has garnered a 2025 Golden Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education. Photo credit: Reyes Andon

There are many excellent teachers who work in New York City schools. One of them is Reyes Andon, a physical education teacher who has earned a Golden Apple Award from the New York City Department of Education.

Reyes teaches students up to grade 5 at PS 376, an elementary public school located in Brooklyn. There he uses sports as a vehicle to inspire learning, leadership, and community. Reyes strives to make his classroom instruction inclusive and culturally responsive. But the key to his success as an educator, says Reyes, is that he promotes peer leadership by promoting student agency and responsibility through meaningful roles the coach, assistant coach, and equipment manager.

“Beyond the classroom, I serve as a national trainer with the US Soccer Foundation, facilitating programs like Soccer for Success, the Coach-Mentor Blueprint, and Just Ball to help educators and youth leaders across the country harness sport for positive development,” says Reyes. “I also collaborate with NYCFC City in the Community, leading initiatives that engage families and expand opportunities for underserved youth,” he continued. In addition, Reyes has organized several community partnerships and after-school and weekend programs that address access gaps in physical activity and organized sports for families facing economic barriers.

Reyes is one of ten New York City teachers who garnered a Big Apple Award this year. The honor recognizes teachers who demonstrate excellence across four key areas: inspiring students to reach their full potential, modeling equitable learning with high expectations, affirming students’ unique identities and gifts, and enriching school communities through meaningful partnerships with families and community organizations. In addition to his Big Apple, which came with a $25,000 check for Reyes to use to enhance the physical education program at his school, the Chalkboard Champion was featured on an episode of the NBC Today Show.

Kansas Business Ed teacher Elizabeth Anstine named 2025 State Teacher of the Year

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Business Education teacher Elizabeth Anstine of Kansas has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Kansas State Collegian

It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on an outstanding educator who works in a public school. One of these is Elizabeth Anstine of Overland Park, Kansas. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Elizabeth teaches courses in business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth. In addition, she serves as an advisor for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). In this role, she cultivates an inclusive program that consistently produces internationally ranked students. She also sponsors the Interact club to foster global understanding and she is heavily involved in her school’s Building Leadership Team, developing strategies to enhance student achievement. She has worked at the school for the past 12 years.

Before accepting her position as a Business Education teacher, Elizabeth spent nearly two decades in senior corporate marketing roles. During these years, she volunteered with Junior Achievement in Kansas City’s inner-city schools. Following her corporate career, she dedicated herself to volunteering in the Olathe, Kansas, School District, where her children were enrolled. There she assisted in Blue Ribbon applications, initiated a district-wide Battle of the Books competition, established mentoring programs, served in a leadership role in the booster club, and participated in school site councils. She also worked as a substitute teacher and AVID tutor.

As someone who entered the teaching profession later than many educators, Elizabeth says she wants to continue mentoring young teachers and those who think they have something to contribute to the classroom. “I didn’t have that dream until I was 40,” she once remarked. “I want them to know they’ll be rewarded when they set out to do great things. I just want to be an example that anyone can rise to the occasion,” she continued.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Fort Hays State university and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas.

Celebrating El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)

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On Nov. 1, public school students throughout the American Southwest and elsewhere are celebrating the Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. The annual observance is a special day set aside to remember and honor the memory of beloved relatives who have passed away. Here is a wonderful article that explains in detail the origins and practices of the Dia de Los Muertos. Feel free to share this information with your students. Enjoy your day!

Lucia Camp Blanchard: Teacher, community activist, suffragist

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Many outstanding educators devote their energy to social causes. One of these was Lucia Ellen Camp, a teacher who worked tirelessly for the passage of women’s suffrage during the 19th century.

Lucia was born on Oct. 7, 1851, in Stowe, Vermont. Her father, Asa Camp, was a merchant. He also served his community as a senator for Lamoille County, a director of the Waterbury Bank, the State Inspector of Finance, and a member of the Stowe City Council. Tragically, when Lucia was only eight years old, her mother died of smallpox. Later her father remarried to Harriet Camp. Lucia already had one brother, and her father’s second marriage produced four younger siblings for Lucia, all of whom relocated to Minnesota with Asa and Harriet when the couple moved there in 1872. But Lucia Camp chose to remain in Vermont.

As a child, Lucia was an excellent student who earned high grades and numerous academic awards. In 1869, at the age of 18, she inaugurated her career as a schoolteacher. In addition, she was an active member of the community in Stowe, organizing and participating in fundraisers and other events, all the while continuing to teach. By 1874, Lucia accepted a position at the Green Mountain Seminary in Waterbury Center. Before long she was appointed the school’s Assistant Principal. At the age of 24, she became the Superintendent of Schools in Stowe.

Lucia became a bride on Oct. 17, 1876, when she married Fred Blanchard, the owner of a hardware store. The couple moved to Montpelier and started their family. They had three daughters. Lucia became active in her new community, and by 1900 she was serving on the School Board Committee for Buildings and Repairs.

In 1915, Lucia Blanchard was selected the President of the Vermont Equal Suffrage Association (VESA). She stepped down the following year to become their treasurer, holding that position until the Nineteenth Amendment was passed in 1920. During these years, Lucia worked tirelessly for the Women’s Suffrage Movement, writing to legislators and encouraging others to do the same. She also organized the annual VESA State Convention in Burlington in 1919.

Lucia Camp Blanchard lived in Montpelier until she passed away on Feb. 21, 1933. She was 81 years old. She is interred at Green Mountain Cemetery in Montpelier, Vermont. To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to NAWSA.