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.

Jessica Eschbach named Oklahoma’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Educator Jessica Eschbach of Norman, Oklahoma, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher o f the Year. Photo Credit: Oklahoma Education Association

Many talented educators have earned recognition for their dedicated work with students. One of these is Jessica Eschbach, a teacher librarian and learning coach from Norman, Oklahoma. She has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Jessica currently serves as an Innovative Learning Coach at Norman North High School in the Norman Public School District. In this position, she provides professional development, technology integration, and inquiry-based units for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Prior to that assignment, Jessica taught social studies and English at Alcott Middle School, and she also served as the Library/Media Specialist at Kennedy Elementary School.

Jessica is originally from Salem, New Hampshire, but she moved to Oklahoma in 2008 to attend the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English/Language Arts in 2012. She earned her first Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 2019. She earned her second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, in 2021.

During her nine years in public education, Jessica has worked diligently to close the equity gap within her district. She is committed to doing everything in her power to ensure that all students, regardless of where they grow up or attend school, have access to opportunities that will lead them to successful futures.

The honored educator is truly dedicated to her profession. “Being a teacher permeates every aspect of my life, in the best way possible, and working with students and teachers has taught me to be a more thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible human being,” Jessica declares. And her admiration for her colleagues is also evident. “Teachers are superheroes,” Jessica asserts. “They know how to collaborate and work in the trenches with each other to give their students the most opportunities and best futures they can,” she continues.

Mary Elizabeth Post: Teacher, pioneer, and women’s suffragist

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Arizona pioneer and educator Mary Elizabeth Post often she said she “was born to be a teacher.” Photo Credit: Fair Use

I enjoy sharing stories about daring pioneers who were also teachers. One such teacher was Mary Elizabeth Post, one of the first teachers to work in the Territory of Arizona. In fact, Mary was only the fifth teacher in Arizona.

Mary was born on June 17, 1841, in Elizabethtown, New York. Her father was a carpenter, but he instilled a strong love of learning in his seven children. As a youngster, Mary attended Burlingtron Female Seminary. She was so proficient in her studies that she was landed her first teaching position in 1856, when she was only 15 years old.

In 1872, Mary traveled to the Arizona Territory by stage coach. The trip was rugged, and conditions in her new environment were rough. She established her school in a building that had formerly served as a saloon. Her lessons were sometimes interrupted by thirsty cowboys looking for an alcoholic drink.

Mary soon discovered, to her dismay, that regular attendance at school was not valued by either the students or their parents. Often the intrepid teacher felt forced to track down the truants and virtually drag them back to the school, much to the disgruntlement of their parents. To overcome the hard feelings, Mary ordered a collection of sewing patterns and taught the mothers how to sew new clothes for their children. The mothers were delighted with how fashionable their children looked, and, before long, Mary saw a marked improvement in her daily attendance. Despite the importance Mary placed on attendance, historians say that the dedicated educator sent her students home during hangings that were held next to the schoolhouse instead of having them watch. This was how she showed her disapproval of the lawlessness of the Wild West.

Even though she was sometimes at odds with the community, Mary became an integral part of the Yuma residents, and to become very involved in the lives of her students and their families, almost all of Mexican heritage. She was often invited to their family events and celebrations. “I was in love with my work,” Mary once expressed. “I think I was born to be a teacher.”

In addition to her untiring work in the classroom, Mary was active in local women’s organizations, and she was an outspoken proponent of the women’s suffrage movement. Mary retired from teaching in 1912, at the age of 72. She became the first recipient of the Arizona state teachers’ retirement fund. Her pension was $50 a month. In 1918, this Chalkboard Champion and pioneer was awarded an honorary Master’s degree from the University of Arizona in recognition of her humanitarian work in predominantly Spanish-speaking communities.

Mary Elizabeth Post passed away from natural causes in 1934. She was 93 years old. You can read more about this amazing educator at tucson.com in the article Western Movement: Mary Elizabeth Post.

Former teacher Ashley Gantt elected to the Florida House of Reps

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Many classroom teachers have gone on to become successful politicians. One is Ashley Gantt, a high school English teacher who has just been elected to the Florida State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Ashley Gantt

Many dedicated classroom teachers have gone on to become successful politicians. One of these is Ashley Gantt, a high school English teacher who has just been elected to the Florida State House of Representatives.

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida in 2007. After serving for two ears in the Mississippi Delta Corps of Teach For America, she taught middle school and high school in the Miami Date County Public School system. Her career as an educator there spanned six years.

Next, Ashley decided to attend law school. She enrolled in the Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law, where she completed her Juris Doctorate in 2016. While at law school, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni. Upon her admission to the Florida Bar, Ashley became a Broward County Assistant Public Defender, serving the citizens of Broward County for over two years. She is now in private practice.

On Nov. 8, 2022, Ashley was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 109 in the Florida State House of Representatives. Her term will expire on Nov. 5, 2024. While in office, Ashley intends to place a priority on improving equity in public education, criminal justice reform, addressing South Florida’s affordable housing crisis, supporting small businesses and job creation, boosting access to eco-friendly public transportation, and environmental protection.

Even though Ashley is no longer teaching in the public schools, she still serves as an educator. She is an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Nova Southeastern University College of Law. She is also a fellow of the William Reece Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy. As if all the were not enough, she represents District 2 as a member on the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust in Miami Dade County; as a board member for the Gwen Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association; and as the President of the executive board of the TJ Reddick Bar Association.

 

Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne was also a politician and businesswoman

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Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne also served as a politician and businesswoman in her community. Photo Credit: Minnesota Legislature

Many excellent educators also serve their communities as able politicians. Rosanna Catherine Payne, a teacher, businesswoman, and politician from Minnesota, is one of these.

Rosanna was born on March 19, 1884, in Harris, Fish Lake Township, Minnesota, the daughter of pioneer parents. As a young girl, she attended public schools in Harris. Following her graduation from Caton Business College, she became involved in various business opportunities related to real estate, loans, and merchandizing. She also served as the postmistress for Ball Club, Minnesota. In addition, she earned a farm and taught school for two years in a country school in Itasca.

In 1926, Rosanna was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 52 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She served in that body from 1927 to 1932. There she advanced legislation that pertained to education, conservation, and roads. She also served on the Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women.

Rosanna Payne passed away on Oct. 31, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was 70 years old. She is buried in Harris.