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.

Ohio’s Aaron Taylor garners 2023 Difference Makers Award for his work in Holocaust education

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English teacher Aaron Taylor of Westerville, Ohio, garners one of eighteen 2023 Difference Makers Awards by the Columbus Jewish News for his work in Holocaust education. Photo credit: Westerville Schools

Congratulations to Aaron Taylor, an English teacher at Westerville North High School in Westerville, Ohio, who has been named one of 18 Difference Makers for 2023 by the Columbus Jewish News. The annual award honors individuals whose efforts have had a significant impact on the Jewish community in Central Ohio.

For the past two years, Aaron has been involved in a Holocaust education task force sponsored by his synagogue. The group examines how the Holocaust is taught in local schools and what resources are available to help educators teach the subject accurately and effectively. During the summer, the task force hosted its first Holocaust education seminar which was attended by nearly 50 teachers from twelve Central Ohio districts. The event provided participants with online resources and lessons they could use to teach lessons about modern-day antisemitism.

“Aaron has made a huge impact by raising awareness about Holocaust texts and perspectives in our teaching and learning communities,” says Curriculum Specialist Dr. Jill Williams of Westerville City Schools. “He brings this amazing genuine openness to intersectional conversations that makes people really want to jump in and learn more, no matter where they are with their understanding.”

This year’s other recipients of the Difference Makers Award include business executives, community volunteers, and public school and college educators. One honoree is a Holocaust survivor who has served on several civic and Jewish organizations and who has shared his personal story throughout Columbus.

“While their contributions may differ in scope and focus, our 18 Difference Makers share a common thread: The unwavering belief that they can effect change, one step at a time,” asserts Keith Adelstein, President and CEO of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company. “Through their persistent efforts, they not only enhance the lives of those directly touched by their work, but also serve as inspiration for us all, reminding us of the transformative power we each possess,” Adelstein continued.

Aaron earned Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theater, Theater Design and Technology and Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Maryland in 2006. In a career that spans ten years, he has taught at Westerville North for five of them.

Dani Charbonneau named Massachusetts’ 2023 Teacher of the Year

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English teacher Danielle “Dani” Charbonneau of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

There are many exceptional educators throughout our country who have earned recognition for their work with young people. One of these is Danielle “Dani” Charbonneau, a high school teacher from Massachusetts who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Dani teaches English and Language Arts and courses in creative writing at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs. On her campus, she is the program co-ordinator and a teacher in the alternative program. This program, which serves students in grades 9—12, ensures that students have a school experience that includes a sense of belonging and an understanding of life beyond the island. Part of the program involves a retreat to a nearby Penikese, an uninhabited island, where students experience nature without the distractions of technology, electricity, and indoor bathrooms. Another part of the program includes a fundraiser for Chopped for Charity, a local food bank, and Island Lore Night, where students and community member present historical fiction and spooky stories and excursions to Boston.

As if all this were not enough, Dani also serves as the co-advisor of her school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance, a position she has held since 2018. She also helped create lessons in response to the murder of George Floyd and the resulting protests.

Dani earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Harvard University. She completed the requirements for a second Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University. She earned her Master’s degree in Education Leadership from the University of New England. Before becoming a teacher in 2004, Dani worked as an editor at CBS. In a career as an educator that spans 19 years, she has spent eight of them teaching in Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools.

 

Looking for a winter holidays play that doesn’t require royalties? Try this one…

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Looking for a winter holidays play that you can produce with your students? One that is free of royalties? I suggest this play I wrote when I was a drama teacher: If You’re Going to Dance, You Have to Pay the Fiddler: A Winter Holidays Diversity Play in Five Scenes. I have placed this work in the public domain, and you are free to download it. Print as many copies of the script as you like. Enjoy!

Here’s the synopsis:

Heather Hunter and her brother Jeremy learn about the winter holiday customs of their friends while celebrating their own family’s traditions. Humorous banter, a little mystery, and an important life lesson make this play a hit with younger adolescent audiences.

Download  Winter Holidays Play

Kansas teacher Tom Hawk also served his community as a lawmaker

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Long-time educator Tom Hawk also served his community as a public servant and lawmaker in both the Kansas State House of Representatives and the Kansas State Senate. Photo credit: Kansas State Senate

Many excellent educators have also served their community as a public servant and lawmaker. This is true of Tom Hawk, a former teacher who served in both the Kansas State House of Representatives and the Kansas State Senate.

Tom was born on Sept, 18, 1946, in Colby, Kansas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Math Education in 1968, his Master’s degree in Counseling in 1970, and his PhD in Educational Administration in 1983, all from Kansas State University.

With this impressive list of degrees, Tom invested 33 years in a career as an educator. From 1968 to 1975 he taught mathematics in Manhattan-Ogden Pubic Schools. He also worked as a school counselor during those years. In addition, he coached wrestling, and he even won an award for Outstanding Coaching in 1970. From 1976 to 2000 Tom served the school district as an administrator and curriculum director, and from 2000 to 2001 he performed the responsibilities of the District Superintendent.

After his retirement from the field of education, Tom decided to launch a career in politics. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Kansas State House of Representatives representing District 67. He served three terms in that body, from 2004 to 2011. In 2012 he was elected to the Kansas State Senate representing District 22, where he served two terms until his retirement fro politics in 2023. There he served on the Committees for Ways and Means; Educational Planning; Corrections and Juvenile Justice; and Agriculture. He also has experience serving on the Governor’s Education Policy Task Force; the City-County Land Use Task Force; and the Governor’s Best Team for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Throughout his years of service, Tom said supporting public and higher education has been one of his most important missions.

Tom currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas. There he is the owner of Tom Hawk Incorporated Professional Photography. He is 77 years old.

 

Teacher Marietta Johnson founded experimental school during the Progressive Movement

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During the Progressive Movement of the early 20th century, teacher Marietta Johnson (above, at left) founded an experimental school that earned national and international acclaim. Photo credit: Public Domain

Many exceptional educators spearheaded the Progressive Education Movement in our country in the early 20th century. One of these was Marietta Johnson, the founder of an experimental school which earned national and international acclaim.

Marietta was born on Oct. 8, 1864, in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a young woman, she graduated from the normal school now known as St. Cloud State University in 1885. In Marietta’s day, the purpose of a normal school was to educate and prepare teachers for teaching in public schools.

Marietta launched her career as an educator in rural elementary and secondary schools in Minnesota. She even served as a trainer of new teachers in various normal schools. Marietta was recognized as an exceptional teacher using established teaching methods, but during these years, she embraced the emerging philosophy of progressive education. She came to believe that children should be exposed to child-centered environments, immersed in nature, studying outdoors, and learning at their own pace.

In 1902, Marietta moved with her family to Fairhope, Alabama. Five years later, she founded a progressive school she named the School of Organic Education. The school was built near the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, a location selected for its natural beauty, temperate climate, and potential for growth. The modernized curriculum emphasized learning in outdoor environments and offered crafts and folk dancing in addition to traditional academic subjects. There were no final exams, no homework, and no failing grades.

Marietta’s school was so successful it was profiled and praised by the leading educational philosopher of the day, John Dewey, in his book Schools of Tomorrow, published in 1913. As a result of this notoriety, education professionals from all around the country and in Europe visited the school to observe progressive education in action. A powerful and charismatic public speaker, Marietta toured the United States and overseas on the lecture circuit to promote her progressive educational practices. Today, Marietta’s school still operates and is known as the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education.

Sadly, Marietta passed away in Fairhope on Dec. 23, 1938. She was 74 years old. She is buried at Colony Cemetery in Fairhope. To learn more about the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education, click on this link to the school’s official website.