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.

The USS Constitution offers opportunities in experiential learning

Posted on by

Many educators would agree that one of the best methods of experiential learning is travel. Travel allows the student to fully experience a locale with all the senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. And one of the most rewarding destinations for travel for both students and teachers is Boston, Massachusetts.

The author’s husband, Hal Marzell, explores the USS Constitution, often referred to by the nickname Old Ironsides. The ship is berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

My husband, Hal, and I made a pilgrimage to this historic city last month. There we visited many sites associated with our nation’s history. One of the places we toured is the museum ship named the USS Constitution. This venerable ship is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a US National Historical Landmark.

The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest ship still afloat. Launched in 1797, the vessel is best known for its action during the War of 1812. During this conflict, the crew of the Constitution‘s defeated no less than four British frigates during three separate battles. She accomplished this feat with only 44 canons! One of these engagements was against the HMS Guierriere, a formidable foe boasting 100 guns. During the battle, it appeared as if the enemy’s cannonballs could not penetrate the Constitution‘s strong oak hull, and that’s how she earned her nickname Old Ironsides.

Author Terry Lee Marzell explores the deck of the USS Constitution, experimenting with turning the ship’s large helm. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

Still fully-commissioned by the US Navy, the ship is manned by a crew of 75 officers and sailors on active duty. During the hours the vessel is open to the public, some of these sailors serve as interpretive historians and are available to answer questions and ensure public safety, if any teacher is able to escort a class to the site for a visit.

The USS Constitution is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard on Boston’s Freedom Trail. Admission is free. A museum is also located on the grounds and provides engaging and hands-on experiences for visitors. Here students can explore how the ship was built, sailed, and preserved. If you are unable to escort your class on a tour of the ship, your students can explore the following website:  USS Constitution.

Whether you and your students visit the site in person or online, I wish you happy learning!

JFK Presidential Library offers learning opportunities for your students

Posted on by

Most teachers would agree that one of the best methods of experiential learning is visiting museums. And among the finest museums to visit in order to learn about American history is a presidential library. These museums, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), feature historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, and, often, Oval Office reproductions. There are 13 presidential museums and libraries within the NARA system that would make an excellent field trip for you and your students.

Hal Marzell prepares to enter the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum located in Columbia Point, Massachusetts. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

Recently, on a vacation to Boston, my husband and I visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum located in Columbia Point, Massachusetts, near the campus of the University of Massachusetts. The building which houses the museum is impressive. The facility was designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei, who was personally selected by Jackie Kennedy for the project. The structure, which faces Dorchester Bay, features a glass pavilion filled with natural light and a gorgeous view.

The exhibits contained within the structure include artifacts from Kennedy’s campaign trail, the 1960 Democratic Convention, the US Space Program, the Peace Corps, a piece of the Berlin Wall, a replica of Kennedy’s Oval Office with a reproduction of the famous Resolute desk, gifts received by the president while on tour in Ireland, select articles of clothing belonging to Jackie Kennedy, and a reproduction of the office Robert F. Kennedy used while serving as the country’s Attorney General. Also on display is the president’s  25-foot sailboat Victura. Throughout the museum movie screens are available showing video clips of Kennedy’s most important speeches and other milestones and aspects of his life and presidency.

Terry Lee Marzell examines an exhibit depicting the 1960 Democratic Convention where John F. Kennedy was declared the party’s candidate for president. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

The interiors of the museum are dignified and the displays are elegantly displayed, but to be honest, other presidential libraries contain many more exhibits and artifacts. I think the reason why this collection seems comparitively small is because Kennedy’s was a short presidency, and possibly the family held on to many of the president’s personal possessions for sentimental reasons. Nevertheless, arranging a visit to this library and museum for your students would be well worth the effort. If an in-person visit is not possible, your students can access a virtual tour on this website: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Whether you visit the site in person or online, I wish you and your students happy learning!

 

Teacher, coach, football player, and WW II veteran Tony Zuzzio

Posted on by

Teacher, coach, former professional football player, and World War II veteran Tony Zuzzio. Photo credit: Muhlenberg College

Many fine athletes devote their considerable talent as educators and coaches after they have concluded their professional careers. This is certainly true of Tony Zuzzio, a long-time teacher and coach who once played professional football for the Detroit Lions.

Anthony Joseph Zuzzio was born on August 5, 1916, in Irvington, Essex County, New Jersey. He grew up in nearby Belleville, where he attended Belleville High School. As a teenager, Tony excelled at multiple sports. For his achievements as an athlete, Tony was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame in 1977.

Following his high school graduation, Tony enrolled in Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he played the position of tackle on the football team. While there he was named an All-American. Following his college experience, Tony played professional football in the National Football League (NFL). The 5’11”, 215-pound youth played as both a guard and a tackle for the Detroit Lions during the 1942 season.

Tony was a true American hero. During World War II, the former football star served his country in the armed services, where he earned an American Theater Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

After his military service, Tony coached baseball in Coffeyville in Kansas. There the consummate coach took his team to a national title. For the span of 34 years, Tony channeled his energy as a teacher and coach at nearby Edna High School in Kansas, then at Chetopa High School in Labette County, next at Elk City, Kansas, and finally at Humbolt High School in Humbolt, Kansas. In addition, from 1964 to 1966, Tony moonlighted as a professional scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On April 7, 2002, this Chalkboard Champion and American veteran passed away in Lawrence, Kansas. He was 85 years old. He is interred at Mount Olive Roman Catholic Cemetery in Parsons, Kansas.

Illinois social studies teacher Samantha Stearns earns honors

Posted on by

Illinois social studies teacher Samantha Stearns named a finalist for the Illinois State Teacher of the Year Award.  Photo credit: Wednesday Journal

I always enjoy sharing stories about excellent educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. Today, the spotlight falls on Samantha Stearns, a social studies teacher from Illinois. She is the recipient of the 2023 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year and one of 13 finalists for the Illinois State Teacher of the Year Award.

Currently, Samantha teaches social studies and serves as the Department Chair at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois. Samantha also advises her school’s Mock Trial team and the History by Hollywood Club, a group where students are encouraged to consider how film can have an impact on historical narratives. She has worked at Roosevelt for 11 years. Previously, she taught for two years in Plainfield, Illinois.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Samantha is a member of the Illinois State Board of Education and University of Illinois’s I3, Inclusive, Inquiry-Based Social Studies program. The types of projects her eighth-graders work on reflect the goals of this program. “My students really enjoyed our election unit,” Samantha reveals. “We focused on building background knowledge on voter suppression and how limited access to the ballot has been a challenge in the US historically,” she explains. “To then see how people like Stacey Abrams worked to increase voter turnout in Georgia was the perfect culmination of our study and really let students connect the past to the present,” she says. “I think it let students see that past historical injustices still impact Americans today, but also how we can work to correct our course,” she concludes.

Samantha’s selection as a Regional Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition the stellar teacher has earned. In 2022, she represented Illinois in the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History National History Teacher of the Year program. In addition, she has been a guest writer for the American Historical Association’s Perspectives on History. In this capacity, she serves as an advocate for improved social studies education and increased collaboration between K-16 social studies educators.

Samantha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History in 2010 from University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She earned her Master’s degree in History in 2019 from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

To learn more about Samantha Stearns, click on this link to an article published by Wednesday Journal.