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.

Florida music educator William Coleman earns recognition

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William Coleman, a choir teacher who hails from Palmetto, Florida, was recognized last month by his local television station, ABC7. Photo Credit: Manatee School for the Arts

I always enjoy sharing stories about one of our nation’s exceptional educators. Today, I will share the story of William Coleman, a choir teacher who hails from Palmetto, Florida. He was recognized last month by his local television station, ABC7.

William’s career as a music director spans a total of 26 years. Currently he teaches at Manatee School for the Arts in the Florida city of Palmetto. In addition to his choir courses, this amazing educator teaches music theater workshops and organizes productions. Some of his productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Mame, Jekyll and Hyde, Assassins, Nine, Baby, Annie Jr., Seussical Jr., My Way, The Andrews Brothers, and the premier productions of Boynton Beach Club and Practically Perfect.

Manatee is a public charter school located in Palmetto that offers performing arts programs to middle school and high school students. The school provides academic courses that infuse many opportunities for expression through the performing arts. In addition, students can participate in dual enrollment for college credit. Members of the faculty are professionals in their field, from local performers to internationally known professionals. To read more about this institution, click on this link to MSA.

As part of the school’s mission, William Coleman says he works hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere in his classroom. “I love connecting with my students, be a safe space for them, be comfortable, and be able to explore their love of music,” he declares. As a reward for his dedication to his students, William was profiled by his local television station, ABC7, and he received a $500 award.

William earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Purdue University in 1990. He also completed undergraduate work in Piano Performance from the University of Tennessee. He earned his Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Middle Tennessee State University in 1997 and completed a second Master’s degree in Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Oklahoma in 2001.

Lisa Leaheey named Rhode Island’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

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High school English teacher Lisa Leaheey of Providence, Rhode Island, has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit:North Providence School Department

It is always a pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Lisa Leaheey, a high school teacher from Rhode Island who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Lisa has been teaching at North Providence High School in Providence for her entire 23-year career. Currently she teaches English to freshman and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition to seniors there. Ever since the beginning of her career, Lisa has dedicated herself to helping students be successful, and she continuously seeks innovative ways to engage her students in class while at the same time challenging their individual strengths and supporting their individual needs.

In addition to her work with students, Lisa created and curated the North Providence School Department’s Technology Integration and Distance Learning Support website. This amazing educator also serves as the Chair of the visiting committee for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). She has also served on the NEASC’s Commission on Public Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Schools. Lisa is a FUSE Fellow, and in this role she supports districts in preparing for accreditation visits. She has done this work for the past 14 years. And as if all the were not enough, for three years she has served as an instructional coach with Rhode Island’s Highlander Institute, working to incorporate technology into district classrooms.

Lisa learned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education and her Master’s degree in English, both from Rhode Island College. She has also earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Technology Integration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Congratulations, Lisa!

Colorado teacher Tiffany Miera garners 2022-2023 Milken Award

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Colorado elementary teacher Tiffany Miera has garnered a prestigious 2022-2023 Milken Educator Award. Photo Credit: Milken Educator Awards

There are many exceptional teachers working in our nation’s schools who are deserving of recognition. One of these is Tiffany Miera, an elementary school teacher from Durango, Colorado. She has garnered a prestigious 2022-2023 Milken Educator Award.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Tiffany teaches mathematics to fifth graders a Needham Elementary School. Her connection to the school is a long one—she attended the school herself when she was a child, and she has devoted her entire 14-year teaching career to the school.

The honored educator, who has also taught special education, continuously strives to build the foundational math skills that her students need to be successful. In fact, as a result of her efforts, Needham’s fifth graders have risen from 25.4% proficiency in 2019 to 42.9% in 2022, outperforming both the district and state. “I teach because I love to see my kids grow and learn,” Tiffany declares. “When I see my students achieve, I’m so proud of them, because I know how hard they worked to get there.”

Tiffany is not only a leader in her classroom, but she is also a leader on her campus and in her school district. She serves on Needham’s instructional leadership, math curriculum, cultural, and gifted and talented committees. In addition, she has led professional development for elementary math colleagues and she mentors new hires and student teachers.

Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and English as a Second Language from Fort Lewis College in 2008. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University in 2014, and a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2022.

Science teacher Cheryl Turpin served in VA State House of Delegates

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Science teacher Cheryl Turpin, third from left, works with students at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was elected to serve in her state’s House of Delegates. Photo Credit: Christine Organ

Many excellent educators have also served as capable politicians. One of these was Cheryl Turpin, a high school science teacher who has represented her community in the Virginia State House of Delegates.

Cheryl was born in 1963 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Her father, who served 23 years in the military, eventually settled the family in Fairfax County, Virginia.

As a young woman, Cheryl earned her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Virginia.

After earning her degrees, Cheryl taught science at the high school level in public schools in Virginia Beach. Currently she teaches Advanced Placement environmental Science at Frank W. Cox High School. She is also a participant in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a program that seeks to close the achievement gap by preparing minority students for college. For her exemplary work with students, Cheryl was nominated for Teacher of the Year by her fellow teachers at Cox High in 2016.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Cheryl has served as a Board Member for the Make a Difference Foundation, as Activities Coordinator for several school PTA’s, a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, a coach for the Neighborhood Soccer League, and a member of the Sierra Club.

In November of 2017, Cheryl was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the 85th District, which includes Virginia Beach. She remained in office from Jan., 2018 to Jan., 2020. As a legislator, Cheryl sat on the Education Committee. She was an advocate for reducing mandated testing so that more time could be added back into classroom instruction. She also supported full-day public kindergarten for every child in Virginia, putting more resources into STEM education, and classroom technology for teachers. She was also committed to expanding economic opportunity for Virginians by increasing infrastructure spending, raising the minimum wage, creating an economic environment that encouraged small businesses, and expanding broadband access.

Reflections on the lessons MLK teaches all Americans

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Once again, our nation is celebrating the birthday of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual celebration offers classroom teachers an excellent opportunity to share the story of this prominent figure in America’s history. The holiday provides an opportunity to guide young people in their reflection on what lessons about our lives as Americans this great leader’s life can offer us.

As a young child myself in the 1960’s, I can remember avidly watching the “I Have a Dream” speech on television that hot August night in 1963. I was only eight years old then, and impressionable. I’m all grown up now, but throughout the five and a half decades since that historic March on Washington, whenever I watch video of that historic speech, I am impressed all over again. I am impressed by the possibility that the world we share could, and should, be a better place. I am reminded by the fact that no matter how young—or old—I am, I can take action, even if it’s small, that would make such improvement come about. This is one of the most important lessons MLK has taught us all, not only then, but most especially now.

The video of King’s historic speech is below. To learn more about this amazing individual, click on MLK Biography. To examine the website of the MLK Center for Nonviolent Change, click on King Center.