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.

African American teacher, poet, and biographer Henrietta Cordelia Ray

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African American teacher, poet, and biographer Henrietta Cordelia Ray became known for her sonnets and her ode to Abraham Lincoln.

Many excellent educators have also earned fame for their endeavors outside of the classroom. One of these was Henrietta Cordelia Ray, an African American teacher who is best known for composing a poem about Abraham Lincoln that is associated with the Freedmen’s Memorial located in Washington, DC.

Henrietta was born on Aug. 30, 1852, in New York City. Her father was Charles Bennett Ray, a blacksmith, abolitionist, and clergyman.

As a young woman, Henrietta earned her degree in pedagogy from the University of the City of New York in 1891. She also studied French, German, Greek, and Latin at the Sauvener School of Languages. Then she launched her career as a public school teacher in New York City schools. During this period, Henrietta also became active in community-building and political activism.

Henrietta gave up her position as an educator to pursue a career as a writer. One her pieces, an eight-line ode to Abraham Lincoln, was read at the unveiling of the Freedmen’s Memorial in Washington, DC, in April, 1876. At this unveiling ceremony, the prominent African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass served as the keynote speaker. In 1887, Henrietta co-authored a biography of her father with her sister, Florence. The book was entitled “Sketch of the Life of Rev. Charles B. Ray.” Henrietta also published a collection of sonnets in 1893 and a second book of poetry in 1910.  Selections from the 1910 volume were widely included in anthologies published in the early 20th century. Frequently, the subjects of her verse were nature, piety, and idealism.

In her retirement years, Henrietta returned to her original vocation of teaching. She tutored students and instructed English classes for teachers. In addition, she organized and participated in regional and national conferences for African American teachers.

Sadly, Henrietta passed away on Jan. 5, 1916. She was 63 years old.

Alaska teacher Harlee Harvey named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

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Congratulations go to elementary school teacher Harlee Harvey of Point Hope, Alaska, who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Congratulations go to Alaska elementary school teacher Harlee Harvey, who has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Harlee was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. She currently teaches first grade at Tikigaq School in Point Hope. She has also taught fifth grade there. In all, she has taught at the school for nine years.

Harlee says that teaching in rural Alaska has been a unique and rewarding experience. She enjoys living and teaching In a region where most teachers give up and move on within two years. The honored educator asserts that there are two important practices to which she owes her success: implementing culturally responsive teaching and building strong relationships with students, families, and the community. And Harlee declares that, even if home life is turbulent or uncomfortable, school should be a safe place for kids. “It became really important for me to provide the space that I always had growing up for other students in my classroom,” she says. “I wanted to be the teacher that I saw, who made sure that all of these students felt important in the classroom—not just those that are naturally academically talented or your stereotypical, like, dream students—I wanted all students to feel comfortable,” she continues.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Harlee has been involved with numerous staff development programs and extra-curricular activities for students, including the Inupiaq Spelling Bee and Battle of the Books. She also serves as a Mapkuk Mentor for the North Slope Borough School District’s cultural curriculum project.

Harlee earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in 2014. She earned her Master’s degree in Education in English as a Second language and Bilingual Education from American College of Education in 2017. She has also earned a degree in Education Specialist in Leadership from American College.

More band directors that led their students in the 2023 Rose Parade

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One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a two-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

The Pella Marching Dutch Band, Pella, Iowa

Appearing in this year’s Tournament of Roses will be the Pella Marching Dutch Band from Pella, Iowa. The group was led by Director of Bands Dameon Place. This year will be their third appearance in the Rose Parade. Their previous appearances were in 1988 and 2003. The Pella Marching Dutch Band was established in 1937 as an all-inclusive school band with a tradition that has spanned more than 80 years. Their innovative show designs, excellent musicality, and outstanding marching techniques have earned them numerous first place awards. In fact, the group has garnered more than 150 first place finishes and 39 consecutive Division 1 Superior ratings, the highest possible score, at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Band Festival.

Brookwood Bronco Marching Band, Snellville, Georgia

Another of the bands that will be marching in the parade this year is The Bronco High School Marching Band from Snellville, Georgia, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Coates Stanley. The group boasts nearly 300 students representing all the band classes in their high school. Laura has been teaching at Snellville for 20 years. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2001 and her Master’s degree in Wind Conducting 2003, both from the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in Music Education in 2015 from Boston University. Under Laura’s expert leadership, The Bronco Marching Band have received 10 Grand Championships in regional competitions.

Catalina Foothills Falcon Band, Tucson, Arizona

Also appearing in the parade was the Catalina Foothills Falcon Band from Tucson, Arizona, with Director of Bands Renee Shane-Boyd in charge. Renee, who has been a music educator in Tucson for 34 years, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, in 1983. She was selected as her District’s 2009 Teachers of the Year. Her group, the largest marching band in the state of Arizona, has won many accolades, including the Nunamaker Award at 2019 UA Band Day. In addition, they performed in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they have travelled to Europe, China, and Australia to perform.

LAUSD All-District High School Honor Band, Los Angeles, California

And finally, we introduce The Los Angeles Unified School District All-District High School Honor Band under the leadership of Band Directors Tony White and Art Duardo. The pair worked together with more than 300 students from approximately 75 Los Angeles county high schools in order to get ready for their 50th Rose Parade performance. This group has been participating in the Rose Parade since 1973. Throughout the years, the band has performed in a variety of events across the greater Los Angeles area, including NFL Super Bowls and Major League Baseball World Series.

 

Dedicated band directors lead student musicians in Rose Parade

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One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 1 of a two-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

Rosemount High School Marching Band, Minnesota

One of the bands that appeared in the parade was the Rosemount High School Marching Band from Rosemount, Minnesota, under the direction of Leon Sieve. Leon joined the faculty of Rosemount High School in 2002. In all, his career as a music educator has spanned 30 years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota in 1993. He earned his Master’s degree from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon in 2005. This is the second appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade for this group, the largest competitive marching band in the state of Minnesota.

Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band, Texas

The Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band from Cedar Park, Texas, also appeared under the leadership of Director of Bands Bryan Christian. Bryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University in 1989. He earned his Master’s degree in Conducting and Clarinet Performance in 1991. A music educator for many years, he started teaching at Vista Ridge High School in 2003. Under his leadership, the Vista Ridge Band has performed at the Midwest International Band Clinic, received the Sudler Shield, were the 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Band Champions, were a 2021 Bands of America Grand Nationals Finalist.

Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band

The Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band from Minocqua, Wisconsin, also appeared in the parade under the direction of Antigo High School Director of Bands Austin Kappel, Wausau East Band Director of Bands Rob Perkins, and six other band directors. This group is a composite band of eight high schools located across north central Wisconsin. Students represented by the group include Lakeland High School, Northland Pines High School, Three Lakes High School, Merrill High School, Antigo High School, Wausau East High School, DC Everest High School, and Mosinee High School.

Rockford High School Marching Band, Michigan

One of the bands that appeared in this year’s parade was the Rockford Marching Band from Rockford, Michigan, under the expert leadership of Brian Phillips, Director of Bands at Rockford Public Schools. This group, which has won the Michigan state championship four times, is the largest competitive band in the state of Michigan, with nearly 275 students participating. More than 40% of these band students are also athletes. This is possible because instead of making students choose between athletics and marching band, the Brian limits their extra-curricular rehearsals so students can successfully participate in both.