Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Patricia Morehead-Morris: Nebraska teacher and state Senator
Many talented educators have also served their communities in public office. One such teacher is Patricia Morehead-Morris, a public school teacher who also served in the Nebraska legislature.
Patricia was born July 21, 1936, in Falls City, Nebraska. As a young woman in 1954, she attended first MacMurray College, a private college located in Jacksonville, Illinois, and then the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1958.
Once she earned her degree, Patricia moved to Beatrice, a small town located about 45 miles south of Lincoln, Nebraska. There she taught in elementary and secondary schools, both public and private.
In 1982, Patricia was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. She represented District 30, which covers Gage County and southeastern Lancaster County, between the years from 1983 to 1988.
In addition to her work in the legislature, Patricia was involved in many philanthropic organizations. She belonged to the Gage County Democratic Women; the Philanthropic and Educational Organization; the Blue Valley Home Economists; the American Trap Shooting Association; and the sorority Upsilon Omicron, Chi Omega.
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PE teacher Lisa Cohen of NYC garners 2022 Big Apple award
Physical education teacher Lisa Cohen from Queens, New York, has garnered a 2022 Big Apple award. Photo credit: NYC Department of Education
I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional teachers who have earned recognition for their work in the educational community. One of these is Lisa Cohen, a physical education teacher from New York who has garnered a 2022 Big Apple Award.
Lisa teaches pre-K through fifth grade students at PS 91 in the Borough of Queens in New York City. She says her goal is to create supportive environments that meet her students’ specific needs. To this end, she adapts and adjusts her instruction to challenge her students so they can move forward at a comfortable pace. She provides instruction in multiple ways, making use of technology, visuals, support staff members, and even her own students to help demonstrate skills and concepts. She has created routines that are high energy, fun, and contribute to creating a great learning environment.
Not only does Lisa work for the benefit of her young students, but she also engages the entire school community in physical education activities through field days and other physical activity opportunities. For example, when schools were closed down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa offered morning fitness opportunities virtually for students, staff members, and parents. Because of her efforts, the PS 91 community was provided with positive lifelong practices that helped all of them remain healthy and active during the shut-downs.
In addition to teaching physical education, Lisa leads the fourth grade inquiry team, and has developed school-wide professional learning opportunities for her fellow educators.
Lisa was one of five educators from Queens and 20 teachers from throughout New York City who received a Big Apple Award in 2022. This is the tenth year that the awards have been distributed in a citywide recognition program to celebrate New York City’s public school teachers. The recipients were nominated by district leaders and principals. Mayor Eric Adams congratulated the honored educators for their dedication and commitment to changing the lives of New York City students. “Being a teacher isn’t always easy, but you all have shown up as selfless and caring individuals who devote themselves to the well-being and progress of our students. Thank you!” Adams said.
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CA educator and highly-decorated veteran Ernest Robles
California educator Ernest Robles also served as a highly-decorated veteran in the Korean War. Photo Credit: Legacy.com
Many excellent classroom teachers have also served their country as military veterans. One of these was Ernest Robles, a California educator who was also a highly-decorated Marine in the Korean War.
Ernest was born on Feb. 16, 1931, in Pirtleville, Arizona. As a young man, he lettered in football. After high school, Ernest served his country in the US Marines, where he saw combat in the Korean War. While there, he earned a Bronze Star, a Navy Commendation Medal of Valor, and a Purple Heart.
Once he was discharged from the military, Ernest earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Los Angeles. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. After completing his education, Ernest spent many years teaching school, working as a school counselor, and serving as a principal and administrator in the Riverside School District in Riverside. Later, he moved to San Francisco where he accepted a position as an Assistant Regional Administrator for Equal Educational Opportunities in the US Office of Education.
Ernest also supported education by founding the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Starting the effort out of his own home in 1975, he headed the organization for more than 20 years, distributing $30,000 in scholarships in the first year alone. Over the next 20 years, the Fund distributed a total of $31 million to more than 30,000 outstanding college students. Under his direction, the scholarship fund was named the Nation’s Best Fund Charity by Worth magazine in 1987. His legacy continues even today, as the Fund has now awarded $50 million in scholarships.
For his contributions to the Hispanic community, Ernest was honored at the White House by President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, and First Lady Hillary Clinton. He has also received the Education Leadership Award from the College Board and the Hispanic Higher Education Award from the National Hispanic Corporate Council. In addition, he was named one of the “100 Influential Hispanics in the United States” by Hispanic Magazine.
After his retirement from education, Ernest enjoyed traveling, reading, and cheering on his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. Sadly, Ernest passed away on Sept. 5, 2022. He was 91 years old.
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Former MN high school PE teacher, coach Carol Peterka was an Olympic athlete
Former high school physical education teacher and coach Carol Peterka was also a celebrated Olympic athlete. Photo Credit: Trading Card Database
Many talented athletes go on to establish careers in education. One of these is Carol Peterka, a former physical education teacher and coach who once competed in the Olympics.
Carol was born on Dec. 23, 1963, in Little Falls, Minnesota. After her graduation from Apollo High School in St. Cloud, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, on a full basketball scholarship. While there, she competed in track and field and played basketball for the Golden Gophers. A second team All-Big Ten selection in 1984, Carol scored 1,441 points and grabbed 744 rebounds during her collegiate career. She still ranks seventh all-time in scoring and sixth all-time in rebounding in the school’s history.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Teaching/Coaching in 1987, Carol joined the US National Handball Team. She competed in three Olympic Games representing the United States. She was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 1990, 1991, and 1993 US Olympic Festivals. In 1990, she was named the US Team Handball Female Athlete of the Year. Later she was named the captain of the national team, a position she held from 1990 to 1992. In addition, Carol garnered gold medals at the 1987 and 1995 Pan American Games.
During the years she played for the US National Team, Carol also worked as a physical education teacher and coach at Poinciana High School in Osceola, Florida. Later she relocated to Cobb County, Georgia, where she coached basketball and taught physical education at Harrison High School in Kennesaw from 1999 to 2005.
In 2006, Carol accepted a position as the Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball team at Hofstra University located in Long Island, New York. She has held this position for the past 17 years.
Impressive, Carol!
