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.

Sp Ed teacher Christine Galvan-Manzello earns NYC 2023 Big Apple Award

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Elementary Special Education teacher Christine Galvan-Manzello has earned a 2023 New York City Big Apple Award. Photo credit: New York City Public Schools

The city of New York is very proud of their public school teachers. In fact, city educational leaders regularly recognize exceptional teachers with their annual Big Apple Award. In 2023, one of the educators so honored was Christine Galvin-Manzello, a Special Education teacher from Queens.

Christine works with fifth graders in an Autism Spectrum Disorder program at PS 91 Richard Arkwright. In her classroom, she supports her students’ academic and social-emotional needs to foster their growth as learners and citizens. And she works diligently to make her classroom very safe and very personal. ”I try to connect with them on a personal level,” the honored teacher explains. “I am good at cracking jokes. I get messages from parents —they are so happy to be going to school every day,” Christine continues. “I try to make them believe they can be anything they set their mind to. I love celebrating small moments with each other,” she asserts.

Christine honors the special gifts of her students. She encourages them to take part in school community activities such as student government, debate, and music programs, which help build confidence and leadership skills.

In addition to her work with students, Christine contributes to the school community through her weekly case conferences with teachers, paraprofessionals, and service providers and by facilitating meetings with school staff members and families about how to best support students with ASD. She also conducts professional development for her school community.

The Big Apple Award was presented to 20 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 includes 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.

DC STEM teacher Rabiah Harris earned prestigious PAEMST

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Middle school STEM teacher Rabiah Harris of Washington, DC, has earned a prestigious 2023 PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching). Photo credit: Rabiah Harris

It is always a pleasure to recognize exemplary teachers who have earned accolades for their work in the profession. Today we celebrate middle school teacher Rabiah Harris of Washington, DC. She has garnered a prestigious 2023 PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching).

The PAEMST recognizes the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a visit to the White House and a $10,000 cash prize.

In a career that has spanned ten years, Rabiah has worked the past two of them at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Washington, DC. She also serves as the Science Department Chair there. Prior to her position at Wells, she taught at Jefferson Middle School Academy, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, and Kelly Miller High School, all schools that are part of the District of Columbia Public Schools System.

Rabiah says the work she does on her campus enables her to make a significant contribution to improving student learning. “It all boils down to the fact that I love to help others, peers and students, and will do that in any and everywhere I can!” she declares. “It’s fun to be a part of such a strong community as the middle school has,” she continues.

Rabiah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Howard University in 2004. She earned her Master’s degree in Secondary Science Education in 2005. She completed the requirements for her PhD in STEM Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. In addition to her PAEMST, Rabiah garnered a Shell Urban Science Teacher Award from National Science Teachers Association in 2020.

 

Texas English teacher Margaret Clark Formby founded Cowgirl Hall of Fame

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Margaret Clark formby

English teacher Margaret Clark Formby, a genuine cowgirl, founded the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in her home state of Texas. Photo credit: The Portal to Texas History

Not many teachers can describe themselves as genuine cowgirls, but one who can is a Texas English teacher named Margaret Clark Formby. This remarkable educator is best-known for founding the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in her home state of Texas.

Margaret was born in 1929 in Van Horn in Culberson County, Texas, a small town east of El Paso. She was the daughter of Fred and Mabel Clark, local ranchers. As a young woman, Margaret attended Van Horn High School, where she graduated in 1946, the salutatorian of her class. Following her high school graduation, Margaret enrolled at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Speech in 1950. After her college graduation, she accepted her first teaching position at Hereford High School in Hereford, Deaf Smith County, before relocating to a school in Fort Worth, Texas.

As a young woman growing up in a Western environment, Margaret believed it was important to have women recognized for their many contributions to Western culture. To this end, she founded the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Hereford. The museum was originally located in the basement of the local public library, but was later moved to a building in Fort Worth. Margaret also worked as the editor of Sidesaddle, the official magazine of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

In addition to cultural preservation, Margaret labored tirelessly to create better conditions for young people. She was one of two women in Texas who was named to a commission to investigate child pornography. She also served on a committee sponsored by the Texas House Speaker that researched teen pregnancy.

During her lifetime, Margaret earned many accolades for her work. In 1993, the talented educator was the first woman elected to Texas Tech University’s Rodeo Hall of Fame. In 2000, her name was added to the list of “100 That Made a Difference: History Makers of the High Plains by the Amarillo  Globe News. She also received the Pioneer Woman Award from the American Cowboy Culture Society.

Margaret Formby passed away on April 10, 2003, at the age of 73. She will forever be remembered as a hardworking educator who worked tirelessly to preserve an important part of our Western heritage.

NV music teacher Darren Motamedy earns Heart of Education Award

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Music educator and Band Director Darren Motamedy has earned a Heart of Education Award from the Smith Center in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Walter Johnson Junior High

There are many excellent educators throughout our country who go above and beyond for their students. One of these is Darren Motamedy, a music teacher and Band Director from Clark County, Nevada. The hardworking music educator has just earned a Heart of Education Award from the Smith Center in Las Vegas.

It seems that Darren was simply born to teach. “Teaching is one of my favorite parts of my life. I love the energy of sharing knowledge about music with my students,” he says. “I have a unique approach to teaching music because I’m a professional musician and I know what are the important skills necessary to become a successful!” he reveals.

When Darren was hired to fill the position of band director at Walter Johnson Junior High School in Las Vegas, the program was struggling. Right away he dived into the difficult job of transforming it. He obtained grants to purchase $50,000 worth of new instruments and equipment, which provided opportunities for many at-risk students to join the band. Offering free lessons for students, he also raised over $100,000 so that every participant in the band program could participate in out-of-state field trips.

“I have achieved success at Johnson Junior High during my 13 years by taking it one step at a time,” asserts Darren. “It’s the little things that I do on a daily basis that become the model for success,” he continued.

The effort has not gone unnoticed. Darren is one of 20 teachers in Clark County, Nevada, who has earned a Smith Center Heart of Education Award this year. The recognition, presented in Las Vegas on April 21, 2023, comes with a commemorative medallion, a $5,000 cash award, and a $1,000 donation to the school program of the honoree’s choice. This is the eighth year the recognition has been presented to Clark County teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students.