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.

Utah’s Eurithe LaBarthe served in her state’s House of Reps

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High school teacher and principal Eurithe LaBarthe served in the Utah State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Better Days 2020

Many hardworking educators are also accomplished politicians. One of these was Eurithe LaBarthe, a high school teacher and principal who also served as a state legislator in her state. She was a proponent of gender equality, a prominent clubwoman, a literary leader, and one of Utah’s first women legislators.

Eurithe was born in 1845 in Peoria, Illinois. As a young woman, she worked as a high school teacher and principal in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After her marriage to Jules LaBarthe on July 10, 1873, the couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. That was in 1892. Although she was not a Mormon in a predominantly Mormon community, the newcomer quickly established herself as an influential clubwoman.

In 1896, Eurithe she elected President of the Ladies’ Literary Club and managed the official club building for that organization. The Literary Club provided higher education at a time when it was not readily available to women. Initially, the organization focused primarily on history, but eventually they branched out into other topics such as poetry, art, and politics. The society was heavily involved in charity work and later helped pass a bill for the first free library in Utah. The club also purchased 2,000 books in order to help start the library.

The same year, Eurithe was elected on the Democratic ticket to Utah State House of Representatives. That year was the first election in which women could run for office in the newly-formed state. She was one of two women elected to the inaugural state legislature on Nov. 3, 1896. Her term began in Jan., 1897, and continued to Jan., 1899. While serving there, Eurithe was named the Chair of the Education Committee. Additionally, she drafted a letter to Congress requesting that the Federal Industrial Home, which was originally built as a refuge from polygamy but had stood empty for several years, be granted to the state for educational or charitable purposes. The former teacher advanced the cause of gender equality by actively engaging in the political processes of her state and by paving the way for future women lawmakers.

In addition to her work as a politician, Eurithe worked to establish the Utah State Historical society. Later she moved to Denver, where she became involved in women’s club work, serving as Treasurer and as Chair of the Finance Committee for the Woman’s Club, an organization of over 1000 members.

Sadly, while visiting her son in Salt Lake City, Eurithe contracted pneumonia and succumbed to the disease on Nov. 22, 1910. She was buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Illinois Home Ec teacher Amber George earns regional recognition

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High school Home Economics teacher Amber George has been named the Illinois Southeast Region Teacher of the Year for 2022. Photo credit: Herrin High School

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional teachers who have earned accolades for their work with students. One of these is Amber George, a high school Home Economics teacher who has been named the Illinois Southeast Region Teacher of the Year for 2022.

In all, Amber’s career as an educator spans 14 years. For the past six years, Amber has taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Herrin High School. She instructs courses in Child Development, Parenting, and Child Care. She leads a pre-school learning lab, known as Tiger Paws Learning Lab, where she teaches junior and seniors appropriate techniques and processes for caring and teaching young children. In addition, Amber serves as the adviser for her school’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club, formerly known as Future Homemakers of America (FHA).

“Teaching is the best profession in the world!” declares Amber. “The number of positives far outweigh the negatives. My best advice when choosing to become an educator is to discover your ‘why,'” she continues. “Find the motivation behind your ‘why’ and never lose sight of it. Knowing your ‘why’ will help you stay focused on your goals, thus allowing you to continue growing in your craft and enhancing the quality of education your students receive,” she concludes.

Amber earned her Bachelor’s degree Workforce Education with a specialization in Family and Consumer Sciences in 2007 and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision in 2021, both from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She also earned her National Board Teacher Certification in 2020.

 

Puerto Rico STEM teacher Janine Hidalgo garners coveted PAEMST

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Elementary STEM teacher Janine Hidalgo of San Juan, Puerto Rico, garnered a coveted PAEMST in 2020. Photo credit: University of Puerto Rico

There are many talented educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Janine Hidalgo, an elementary school teacher from Puerto Rico. She garnered a coveted PAEMST in 2020.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a $10,000 cash prize.

Janine teaches at Academia San Ignacio de Loyola in San Juan. In a career that has spanned over 20 years, she has spent the last six of them teaching fifth and sixth grade science. She has a reputation for being a compassionate and responsive teacher with excellent skills in classroom management, behavior modification, and individualized support. In her classroom, she works with students at all skill levels to promote learning and boost educational success.

The honored educator encourages her students to develop student-led and community-based projects. And these projects have been quite successful.  In 2013, Janine founded her school’s first Robotics Team. Under her leadership, the team won the First Lego League (FLL) first place prize in both the 2013-2014 and in 2015-2016 competitions. In the Puerto Rico Championships in 2014-2015, her team captured the Programming Award. And then her school’s  team became Puerto Rico’s delegation at the FLL North American Open Champion at Legoland, CA. In 2017-2020, Janine incorporated expanded learning opportunities for her students when she integrated the VEX IQ Robotics platform. In 2019, Janine coordinated the school’s first trip to Space Camp in Alabama. During the trip, her students won the Right Stuff Award and obtained one for the highest average scores on missions and engineering challenges.

Through all of these experiences, Janine’s students have developed a well-rounded scientific mind and see the value of teamwork. To recognize her expert leadership and her dedication, Janine was recognized as a distinguished Robotics Coach by FLL of Puerto Rico in 2020.

Janine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Puerto Rico. She is a certified elementary and STEM school teacher.

Teacher Annie Tietze served five terms in Kansas State House of Reps

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Former Social Studies teacher Annie Tietze served five terms in the Kansas State House of Representatives. Photo credit: legislators.gov

Many excellent educators have also served their community in public office. Annie Tietze, a Social Studies teacher from Kansas, is one of these. She served five terms of office in her state’s House of Representatives.

Annie was born on Oct. 7, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Emporia State University in 1972. She earned a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas in 1986.

After she earned her degrees, Annie taught Social Studies, speech, debate, and English in Topeka. Her career spanned from 1974 to 2006, a total of 32 years. She also worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Annie was elected to the Kansas State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represented the 56th District from 2007 to 2013. She represented the 53rd District from 2013 to 2016. In the Kansas House, Annie was a member of three Committees: Corrections & Community Justice; Commerce, Labor, & Economic Development; and Judiciary.

For her work as a legislator, Annie has earned some impressive recognition. She was named Legislator of the Year by the National Alliance of Mental Illness in 2010. She was also honored as the Spiral of Influence by the Kansas City Organization of Women Enterprises.

Today, at age 72, Annie is retired from teaching. But she has not left the profession entirely. She serves as the local president of the Kansas National Education Association.