Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
PE teacher Martha Priscilla Shaw was elected first woman mayor in South Carolina
South Carolina physical education teacher Martha Priscilla Shaw was elected Mayor of Sumter in 1952, the first woman in her state to serve in that capacity. Photo credit: The State Newspaper
Many excellent educators have also served their community in political office and as a volunteer. One of these was Martha Priscilla Shaw, a physical education teacher in South Carolina who also served as the mayor of Sumter in the 1950s.
Martha was born on Aug. 29, 1904, in Alcolu, Clarendon County, South Carolina. While still a child, she moved to Sumter and enrolled in Sumter Public Schools. She graduated from Sumter High School in 1921. Following this, she attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, for one year, and then transferred to Sargent School of Physical Education, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1925. She also completed graduate courses at Boston University in 1937.
Martha taught PE courses in the Sumter Public School District from 1925 to 1939, a total of 14 years. In addition, from 1929 to 1950 she directed a summer camp for girls called Silver Pines in Blowing Gap, North Carolina. She also served her community through work with the Red Cross, the YWCA, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, she was a charter member of the local Junior Welfare League and completed volunteer hours for the Pilot Club, a local community service organization.
In 1950, Martha was elected to the Sumter City Council. She was the first woman to serve in that capacity. In 1952, Martha once again logged a first when she was elected Mayor of Sumter, the first woman mayor in her state. She served in that role until 1956. In recognition of her trailblazing work in politics and her community service, Martha was named one of three recipients of the National Mary Margaret McBride Award in 1954.
Sadly, Martha suffered a heart attack and passed away on Feb. 9, 1981. She was 76 years old.
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Teacher Julie Plawecki served in the Michigan House of Reps
Former science and math teacher Julie Plawecki also served her community in the Michigan State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Michigan State House of Representatives
Many excellent educators have also served their community in political office. Julie Plawecki, a science and math teacher from Michigan who also served in the Michigan State House of Representatives, is a fine example of this.
Julie was born on Aug. 27, 1961. As a youngster, she attended Warren Public Schools in Warren, Michigan. Once she graduated from high school, she enrolled at Michigan’s Oakland University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and General Science. She earned her teaching certificate from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.
After completing her education, Julie worked as a medical technologist. She married and became the mother of three daughters. She was also the leader of a Brownie troop and a school volunteer.
When she went into the teaching profession, Julie taught science, math, and religion in Catholic schools at both the secondary and elementary school levels. For ten years, she taught at St. Robert Bellarmine in Redford, Michigan. She also coached the school’s Science Olympiad team. In all, her career as an educator spanned 13 years. During that time, she was a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
In Nov., 2014, Julie was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the 11th District, which includes Garden City, Inkster, parts of Dearborn heights, Livonia, and Westland. Even though her term of office was short, she was still able to champion issues related to education, seniors, veterans, energy, health policy, campaign reform, and the environment. She also was involved in Project Dignity Outreach, a charitable group that feeds the homeless in Detroit every weekend.
Sadly, Julie passed away on June 25, 2016, after suffering a heart attack while hiking in Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. She was only 54 years old.
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Iowa STEM educator Katrina Williams earns AIAA 2022 Trailblazing Award
Middle school mathematics teacher Katrina Williams from Ames, Iowa, earned a coveted 2022 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award. Photo credit: Ames Tribune
Many hardworking educators create innovative STEM programs for their eager learners. One of these is Katrina Williams, a middle school teacher from Iowa whose innovative curriculum earned her a coveted 2022 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award from the Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). This award celebrates five K-12 educators from around the country who have gone above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
As part of her AAIA award, Katrina received $5,000, and an additional $5,000 went to her school. In addition, she received free access to Challenger Center STEM programming which supplements classroom lessons through Earth and space-themed journeys. The programming includes hands-on, simulated learning experiences; Center Missions delivered at Challenger Learning Centers around the globe; Virtual Missions delivered by Challenger Learning Center Flight Directors; and digital experiences delivered by teachers in their classrooms. To learn more about the Trailblazer Award, click on this link to AIAA.
Katrina’s career as an educator spans 28 years. Currently, she teaches mathematics at Ames Middle School in Ames, Iowa. The honored teacher is enthusiastic about connecting real-world STEM careers and lessons to her classroom. She has made it her mission to expose underserved and under-represented students to STEM disciplines and careers. But her work to support learners goes beyond her classroom walls. In order to expand her students’ experiences, she frequently hosts STEM-focused after-school activities, field trips, and career expos.
Garnering an AIAA award is not the only recognition Katrina has earned. In Dec. 2022, she was named to the She was also an Academic Advisor at Iowa State University and a former Director of the Mathematics Laboratory at Spelman College. And she is a 2021-2022 Iowa’s Fierce and Fearless STEM Teacher Recipient and a Code.org Computer Science (CS) Discoveries Iowa educator.
Katrina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and her Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Katrina is a member of EDGE-Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education. She is a certified gifted educator and certified SPED-Special Education educator.
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Teacher Katie McGee named one of Alabama’s “Sweet 16”
Junior high school English teacher Katie McGee has been named one of the state’s “Sweet 16” by the Alabama State Department of Education. Photo credit: Cullman City Schools
Every year, the Alabama State Department of Education named 16 top educators from all over the state as their “Sweet 16.” These teachers are contenders for 2023 Alabama Teacher of the Year. One of this year’s “Sweet 16” is Katie McGee, a seventh grade English teacher at Cullman Middle School in the Vulcan City School District.
According to the State of Alabama Department of Education, the “Sweet 16” are outstanding educators who personify excellence have been selected as finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year. Each one excels in the classroom and inspires students through innovative instructional techniques. This year’s 16 state finalists have emerged from a highly professional group of more than 150 top educators who submitted their official applications for this prestigious state honor.
Katie’s colleagues are excited about her recognition. “It’s wonderful to see her being recognized for her exceptional teaching skills, creativity, and commitment to education,” says Cullman Middle School Principal Jake Johnson. “As a principal, I am proud to have such an outstanding teacher in our school community. She has made a significant impact on her students’ lives and has contributed positively to our school culture,” he declared.
In addition to her inclusion in the “Sweet 16,” Katie has also been named District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year. She has a Master’s degree in Education and she is a National Board Certified Teacher.
