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.

GA teacher Ruth Frances Woodsmall was a global activist for women’s rights

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High School English teacher Ruth Frances Woodsmall of Georgia was a global activist for women’s rights in her day. Photo credit: Smith College

Many exceptional educators have also made significant contributions to society as a whole. One of these is Ruth Frances Woodsmall, a high school English teacher from Georgia. She is well-known as a post-World War II global activist for women’s rights.

Ruth was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sept. 20, 1883. She was the daughter of Harrison S. Woodsmall, a lawyer and teacher, and Mary Elizabeth Howes, an art teacher. Ruth grew up in Indiana and attended local schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska in 1905. She earned her Master’s degree from Wellesley in 1906.

After she earned her degrees, Ruth worked as a high school English teacher in both Nevada and Colorado from 1906 to 1917. Between 1917 and 1928 she held various positions in the YWCA, including a stint as Director of Hostess Houses in the US and in France. From 1921 to 1928, she was Executive Secretary of YWCAs in the Near East. Based in Istanbul, the former classroom teacher supervised branches in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. In 1923, her jurisdiction was expanded to include Egypt and Palestine. From 1935 to 1948 Ruth served as General Secretary of the World’s YWCA.

From 1949 to 1952 Ruth served as the Chief of the Women’s Affairs Section of the US High Commission for Occupied Germany. For this work she received the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of West Germany. At the same, she did extensive research on the changing status of Muslim women in the Middle East and published several important works on the subject.

In recognition of her work with women and international relations, this exceptional educator received honorary degrees from the University of Nebraska in 1945 and the University of Indiana in 1954.

Sadly, this Chalkboard Champion passed away in New York City on May 25, 1963.

NYC teacher Cindy Wang garners 2022-2023 Big Apple Award

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Educator Cindy Wang, who teaches English as a Second language, has earned a 2022-2023 New York City Big Apple Award. Photo credit:New York City Public Schools

I always enjoy sharing the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Cindy Wang, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher from New York City. She has earned a 2022-2023 Big Apple Award.

Cindy teaches ESL to juniors at International High School at Lafayette in Brooklyn, New York. The school offers a home to international students where they can develop their linguistic, intellectual, cultural, and collaborative abilities. As an immigrant herself, Cindy is uniquely qualified to help these students. “Growing up in an immigrant family, the struggles of learning a new language, as well as navigating a new culture, were deeply personal to me. I knew that I wanted to work with and empower immigrant students,” she once confessed.

To achieve this goal, Cindy earned a 7-12 certification in Teaching Chinese (Mandarin) as a foreign language. Shortly after, she invested her talents as the VELLOP coordinator at Vassar, providing programming and extra support for K-12 English Language Learners in the Poughkeepsie City School District. At the same time, Cindy enrolled in courses in a Master’s program in Applied Linguistcs and TESOL at Teachers College in New York City. She graduated from the program in May, 2018.

Today, Cindy works with a diverse group of English Language Learners at International High School at Lafayette in Brooklyn. In her classroom, she integrates the experiences of her students into projects designs to create an environment where students feel safe to take risks with language. As an educator, she brings culturally responsive education practices into every project that she organizes, including the use of literature.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Cindy has made numerous contributions to her school community. She is a team leader at her site. In this role, she facilitates weekly meetings where the team examines curriculum, reviews date, and plans supports for students. In addition, she serves as an advisor for the school’s student government, where she promotes the voices of students in decision-making, fosters peer tutoring and supports, advises a student newsletter, and guides a leadership development program. And as if all that were not enough, Cindy and her team also coordinate a 100-hour internship experience for every junior. Outside of the classroom, Cindy strengthens her practice through participation in an Early Career Fellowship with the Academy for Teachers.

The Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate New York City teachers who Inspire students to be their best selves, dream, and advocate for their future; who. model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students; who affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius; who enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations.

 

PE teacher Martha Priscilla Shaw was elected first woman mayor in South Carolina

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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.

Teacher Julie Plawecki served in the Michigan House of Reps

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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.