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.

Idaho’s E’Liane Khang garners 2022 Simplot Inspirational Teacher award

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher E’Liane Khang of Pocatello, Idaho, has been named the winner of the 2022 Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award. Photo Credit:

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. Today, I share the story of E’Liane Khang, an elementary school teacher from Idaho who has been named the winner of the 2022 Simplot Inspirational Teacher award.

E’Liane teaches fifth graders at Tyhee Elementary School in the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District in Pocatello, Idaho.

It is easy to see why E’Liane is noted for her ability to inspire her students. She works very hard to develop relationships with her kids. “The first several months of school are spent eating lunch with each of my students so that I can get to know them better,” she explains. “Outside during recess, I play games and encourage shy kids to walk and talk with me. Some days, I can be silly, dance, sing, or poke fun at myself for attempting to play four square or sharks and minnows. By Christmas, my class will hopefully have a very strong sense of community and be ready to tackle difficult assignments or projects,” she continues. “These relationships help me to build trust, so that I can eventually request my class to try harder, take risks, and not fear making mistakes,” she concludes.

In addition to her work in the classroom,  E’Liane participates in a variety of workshops, book studies, and math mentoring programs. She has brushed up her knowledge of new technologies by spending her vacations attending Summer STEM programs for Idaho State University. This is important, she says, because when teachers implement new technology in their lessons, reluctant learners don’t want to miss school.

E’Liane was selected for the SImplot Inspirational Teacher award from a pool of 379 nominated teachers. Council Members selected 20 finalists based on the teacher’s ability to inspire their students, their use of innovative methods in the classroom, and their impact on students’ life-long skills. As the winner of the award, E’Liane received $500.

To learn more about E’Liane Khang, click on this link to the Simplot Award.

Alabama’s Kelly Parker named 2023 Elem Teacher of the Year for District 1 in

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Kelly Parker from Mobile, Alabama, has been named the 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year for District 1 in her county. Photo Credit: Mobile County Public School System

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who teach in American schools. One of these is Kelly Parker, an elementary school teacher from Mobile, Alabama. She has been named the 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year for District 1 in her county.

Kelly’s career as an educator spans 14 years. She currently teaches second graders at Tanner Williams Elementary School in the Mobile County Public School System. She has also taught kindergarten and first grade.

This innovative educator enjoys designing hands-on curriculum and community service projects for her young students. She fosters a love of writing with her students by directing each class to complete a book for their successors as part of her series, Sweet Home Tanner Williams. For another project, Kelly wrote a grant for Agriculture in the Classroom to fund a greenhouse on her campus. Once the greenhouse was built, her students planted seeds to raise plants to sell to the community, and through these sales, the students raised $2,000 for the school.

In addition to her work with children, Kelly leads professional development on foundational reading skills and serves on her school’s team for accreditation. And Kelly is one of the first educators in her district to be named a Dyslexia Interventionist Resource teacher.

Kelly earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Alabama. She earned her degree as an Education Specialist from the University of West Alabama. She is also a National Board Certified teacher. Furthermore, she has attended Space Camp for Teachers at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

To read more about Kelly Parker, click on this link to an article about her published by Mobile County Public Schools.

Hawaii’s Michael Ida named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Secondary math teacher Michael Ida of Honolulu, Hawaii, has been named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Hawaii News Now

There are many excellent educators throughout our country who are deserving of recognition. One of them is Michael Ida from Hawaii, a secondary math teacher who has been named his state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

In a career that has spanned 26 years, Michael has taught all of them at  Kalani High School in Honolulu, where he conducts courses in mathematics and computer science. He also serves as the Chairperson for the Mathematics Department, as an Academic Review Team member, and as a club advisor. He spearheaded the development of the computer science program at Kalani High. And as if all the were not enough, he also leads technology-related professional development sessions for his school faculty.

Michael has a reputation for being a lifelong learner and for being dedicated to the service of others. “He goes above and beyond for not only his students, but for any staff member that needs help,” asserts Kalani High Principal Mitch Otani. “During the pandemic, he was the one that was helping people with all the technology and everything else. He’s one that is always there to help and support anyone,” Otani continues.

In addition to his work with students, Michael serves on the leadership teams of the Hawaii Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Hawaii chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Hawaii National Board Certified Teachers Collective. He also serves as an accreditation visiting team member for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and as an exam reader for Advanced Placement Calculus.

Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in 1991. He earned his Master’s degree and a PhD in applied mathematics from Northwestern University in 1995. He also earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Boston College in 1996. Additionally, he was recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent/Young Adult Mathematics in 2004.

To read more about Michael Ida, click on this link to a story about him published by the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Business Ed educator Megan Wald named a finalist for ND 2023 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Business education teacher Megan Wald was named one of four finalists for 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Valley City State University

I always enjoy sharing the story of an exceptional educator. One of these is Megan Wald, a business education teacher from North Dakota. She was selected as Emmons County’s Teacher of he Year last May, and she has been named one of four finalists selected to compete for the title of 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Megan teaches Business Education courses at Linton High School in Linton, an unincorporated community located in Emmons County, North Dakota. She is also an adjunct business teacher for the North Dakota Center for Distance Education in Fargo. Her career as an educator has spanned 15 years.

For Megan, her work as an educator is never a nine-to-five job. “You have to be passionate about the work that you do and know what your goal is,” she asserts. And she definitely knows what her goal is. “My philosophy is definitely preparing students for work outside of high school. Giving them career readiness skills is one of my top priorities,” she declares.

Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Marketing from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota, in 2008.

Congratulations, Megan!