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.

Teacher Elizabeth A. Neilson became a prominent public health educator

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One-time public school teacher Elizabeth Neilson became a prominent figure in the field of public health education. Photo Credit: Find a Grave

There are many examples of dedicated teachers who have made significant contributions to society. One of these is Elizabeth A. Neilson, a public school teacher who became a prominent figure in the field of public health education.

Elizabeth was born on Oct. 13, 1911, in Medford, Massachusetts. When she was a young girl, she attended Medford High School in Medford, Massachusetts. After her high school graduation, she earned her undergraduate degrees from Boston Bouve College and Northeastern University. She earned a PhD in Education from Boston University.

Elizabeth inaugurated her career as a teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts, when she accepted a position at the Brimmer May School in Chestnut Hill. She also taught in Medford public schools for a number of years. Later she became a professor at Lowell State College. She then moved on to become the Chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education for several years. She also worked as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Throughout all the years of her professional life, she advocated for better preparation of health education teachers in public schools.

In addition to her work as an educator, Elizabeth was active in several health-related organizations. She was involved in several committees in the American School Health Association (ASHA). She served on the Board of Directors for the American Diabetes Association, the National Mental Health Association, and the American Heart Association. In 1968, she was named the President of the American School Health Association.

As if all these activities were not enough, Elizabeth was also instrumental in the production of numerous health textbooks. In 1965, she published a series of textbooks for grades 1-8 known as the School Health series. She contributed articles to a variety of professional journals, including Massachusetts Teacher, Journal School of Health, Journal of Health, and Physical Education and Recreation. Also, she was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Health Values: Achieving High Level Wellness.

For her work as a health educator, Elizabeth earned many accolades. Boston Bouver College awarded her a Distinguished Services Award, and Northeastern University honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in Health Sciences. She also garnered the William A. Howe Award from the American School Heath Association.

Sadly, Chalkboard Champion Elizabeth A. Neilson passed away on Oct. 4, 2001, in Wells, Maine. She was 89 years old.

 

Florida counselor and teacher Vicky Puentes earns recognition from GMA, VRBO

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Counselor and former English teacher Vicky Puentes of Miami, Florida, has garnered special attention from the ABC show Good Morning America and she’s won a $20,000 prize from VRBO! Photo Credit: Miami High News

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who are rewarded for their hard work improving the lives of students. One of these is Vicky Puentes a counselor and former English teacher in Miami, Florida. She has garnered special attention from the ABC television show Good Morning America, and she’s won a whopping $20,000 prize from VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner)!

In all, Vicky’s career spans nearly 20 years. For the past five years, she has worked as a counselor and college advisor at Miami Senior High School in Miami. Prior to that, she worked as an English teacher there.

Vicky’s dedication to her students is so evident. “The hours I put in here are never wasted,” declares the honored teacher. “Everything that I do is just to maximize someone else’s personal and human experience,” she continued.

As it so happens, Vicky graduated from that very same high school before she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Miami. Three of her four children also graduated from Miami Senior High, and her fourth is currently attending there.

Click on the link below to watch the six-minute video below to learn more about this Chalkboard Champion.

Good Morning America honors counselor and teacher Vicky Puentes

 

NY educator Ayanna Emanuel receives 2022-2023 Big Apple Award

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Educator Ayanna Emanuel, who teaches junior high school math, has been named a recipient of a Big Apple Award for 2022-2023. Photo Credit: New York City Department of Education

It is always my pleasure to share stories about outstanding educators. One of these is Ayanna Emanuel, a junior high school math teacher from New York. Ayanna has been named a recipient of a Big Apple Award for 2022-2023.

Ayanna says the driving force behind all of her instructional plans is creating an environment of equity where students develop a genuine appreciation of mathematics. She strives to know each and every one of her students as individuals, and has been able to build a rapport with each one that is based in trust.

Ayanna declares she prioritizes critical thinking over procedural or mechanical work. In her classroom, she begins each lesson asking students what they “notice.” She believes this practice incites curiosity and critical thinking. She says students often notice things that go beyond the mathematical intention behind the questions.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Ayanna is also a member of her school’s Instructional Leadership Team, and she has led a PTA meeting about standards-based grading and the positive impact of growth mindset. In addition, she has initiated vertical alignment of Math Department grading, and works with her District’s Math Equity Group. Furthermore, Ayanna is focused on providing Algebra for All access for all her eighth grade students.

As if all this were not enough, Ayanna created a step dance group as part of an after school program. Step dance gives the students an opportunity to express themselves freely while building community.

This is the tenth year that the Big Apple Awards have honored outstanding educators for their leadership, dedication to students, and contributions to their school communities. Each year, 20 educators across New York City are recognized. They represent all five boroughs and teach a range of subject areas and grade levels.

Matt Nielson: STEM teacher, veteran, and finalist for 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

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Science educator Matt Nielson from Valley City, Minnesota, has been named a finalist for the honor of 2022 Minnesota State Teacher of the Year. He is also a member of the National Guard. Photo Credit: US Army

There are many dedicated, and, I dare say, heroic teachers who work diligently in American schools. One of them is Matt Neilson, a science teacher from North Dakota who is also a member of the Minnesota National Guard.

Matt currently teaches chemistry, physics, and STEM courses to 11th and 12th graders at Valley City High in Valley City, North Dakota. He also serves as the Head Coach for both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams. His work in his school is so highly respected and appreciated that Matt has been named one of four finalists for 2022 North Dakota Teacher of Year honors.

Matt’s curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. For example, he developed one lesson that required students to create a periodic table based on fictitious elements. In collaborative learning pairs, the students looked for a pattern, debate their proposed solutions with each other, and then justify their conclusions. This Chalkboard Champion also promotes the value of relationships. “The more adults that they know that care about them, that kind of helps them along their path,” declares Matt. 

In addition to his work in the classroom, Matt serves as a Captain in the North Dakota National Guard. His military occupational specialty is a chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear officer. For his service, the exemplary educator has earned a Meritorious Service Medal for completing 20 years of service. “I served over in Iraq in 2003-2004,” reveals Matt. “In 2006, I re-enlisted, and in 2009 I talked with my wife and we decided, you know what, we’re going to make a career of it and stayed in for 20,” he continues. “I believed in what we were doing. I believed in the mission. I believed in our state and our country,” he says.