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.

Jahsha Tabron named Delaware’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year

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Congrats to Special Education teacher Jahsha Tabron, who has been named Delaware’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Delaware State University

Congratulations are due to Jahsha Tabron, a high school teacher from Delaware who has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from a field of 20 teachers representing school districts or charter schools throughout the state.

Jahsha currently teaches at Brandywine High School, where she works primarily with ninth graders who are transitioning into high school. In all, her career as an educator has spanned an impressive 21 years.

In addition to her work with students, Jahsha serves as her school’s Special Education Department Chair. She also works towards establishing equitable educational practices, and she facilitates opportunities for colleagues to foster student-centered growth. She mentors new teachers in compliances with special education requirements that are necessary for developing individualized education plans for students.

Jahsha recognizes that the efforts of her colleagues is just as important as her own. “I’m reminded daily that I am a part of something important, something bigger than myself and my classroom,” she said at the time she accepted her honor. “Our community includes teachers, counselors, and administrators,” she continued. “At the core of a true school community, there’s accountability, solidarity and a mutual understanding why we are her to prepare students. This is what creates successful students and successful schools,” she concluded.

As a result of her selection as Teacher of the Year, Jahsha will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well as two personal grants totaling an additional $5,000.

A native of Bronx, New York, Jahsha was born of immigrant parents from Jamaica. The honored educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Delaware State University in 2000. Later she earned her Master’s degree in School Leadership and Administration from Wilmington University.

 

Remembering teacher and coach Scott Beigel, slain in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting

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We remember Florida teacher and coach Scott Beigel, who was slain in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Photo credit: runnersworld.com

The community of professional educators is always distressed by the loss of a colleague to campus violence. This is certainly true about Scott Beigel, a teacher and coach who was slain in a school shooting that occurred in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018.

After earning his Bachelor’s degree in technical Studies from Farmingdale State College, New York, in 2009, Scott moved to Parkland, Florida, where he accepted a position teaching geography at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He also coached the school’s cross country team. In addition, on his summer vacations Scott worked as a counselor at Starlight Summer Camp in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. During the shooting, Scott is credited for saving the lives of students by unlocking his door and letting students inside the classroom to hide. Unfortunately, the heroic teacher could not escape the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, an expelled student from the high school. Scott, who was only 35 years old at the time of his passing, was one of 17 people fatally wounded by Cruz that day.

Since his tragic passing, Scott is sorely missed. “Thousands of people at Camp Starlight looked up to Scott,” asserted Grant Williams, a summer camp colleague. “He was someone you strive to be like.” Student Thomas Risley agreed. “He cared a lot about his students,” Risley remembers. “I’m going to miss his colorful personality.” Former Douglas High student Cameron Kasky also praised the fallen educator. “Scott’s memory lives in the fact that he was able to positively touch the lives of so many young people,” Kasky remarked. After the attack, Kasky became a student leader in the March for Our Lives gun-control movement.

To honor Scot’s sacrifice, his name has been inscribed on the National Memorial to Fallen Educators sponsored by the National Teachers Hall of Fame located in Emporia, Kansas. A street has also been renamed Scott J. Beigel Way in the Dix Hills area of Long Island, New York, where Scott grew up.

 

WV’s Heather Haught earns prestigious Milken Award

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Elementary school teacher Heather Haught of West Virginia has earned a prestigious 2021-2022 Milken Award. Photo Credit: West Virginia Education Association

I always enjoy sharing stories about talented educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Heather Haught, an elementary school teacher from Moundsville, West Virginia, who has earned a prestigious 2021-2022 Milken Award.

Heather teaches first grade at McNinch Primary School in Moundsville. Her instructional strategies emphasize research-based curriculum, differentiated instruction, problem-based lessons, higher-level thinking skills, and a collaborative environment.

“Heather Haught is a sterling example of compassion and commitment, said W. Clayton Burch, West Virginia’s Superintendent of Schools. “She is committed to fostering a strong foundation of learning among her first grade students at McNinch Primary School and illustrates such compassion as she engages families in the education of their children,” he continued. “She not only adopts research-based practices into her instruction plans, but she also shares her innovations and approaches with other teachers in her school and county to advance teaching and learning beyond her own classroom. We are proud of her leadership and the depth of her commitment to the children and families of her community,” he concluded.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Heather serves on or leads various school and district committees, including teams handling math, textbook selection, positive behavior support, safety, and hiring. She also conducts professional development programs for the district. And as if all that were not enough, she also instructs college education courses at both West Virginia University and Bethany College.

Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from West Virginia University in 2009 from West Virginia University. She earned Master’s degrees in Elementary Education in 2009 and Reading in 2010 from the same institution, and she completed the coursework for her Administrative Certificate from Wheeling University in 2019.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. Heather is one of up to 60 educators to receive the Milken Educator Award for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.