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.

Christian Wright-Sa’alea of American Samoa earns territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year award

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High school social studies teacher Christian Wright-Sa’alea of American Samoa earns her territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: American Samoa Department of Education

I always enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have earned honors for their work in the classroom. One of these is Christian Wright-Sa’alea, a high school Social Studies teacher from American Samoa. She has been named her territory’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Christian teaches history to freshmen, juniors, and seniors at Tafuna High School in Tafuna in the Western District.

Since 2016, Christian’s students have excelled in the National History Day (NHD) competition, earning top rankings locally and Outstanding Entry recognitions nationally. She was named a teacher representative at the 2018 NHD competition in Maryland, and a judge at the Louisiana State NHD competition in 2020. In addition, she was one of two representatives from American Samoa who were nominated for the MacGregor NHD History Teacher of the Year Award in 2020.

And these are not her only accomplishments. In 2018, Christian became a member of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the leading organization dedicated to K-12 education in American history. The organization recognized Christian their US Territories History Teacher of the Year in 2020.

Tafuna High School Principal Tutuila Togilau says he is not surprised that Christian has been selected for Teacher of the Year honors. “This is a reflection of Christian’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to lifelong learning,” asserts Togilau. “Christian is very creative, artistic, and highly respected by her colleagues,” the principal continued.

As for Christian, she credits her former teachers for her success in the classroom. “To all my former teachers, I am your product,” she declares. “I’m here because of you and I will continue that same cycle for my kids as well, with the hopes that in the future, they too will inspire others and become great citizens of tomorrow,” she concludes.

Robert Constantine: Teacher, master gardener, and tireless volunteer

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Retired social studies teacher Robert Constantine of Redlands, California, also served his community as a master gardener and tireless volunteer.  Photo Credit: Claremont Courier

Many superb educators also serve their community as tireless volunteers. One of these was retired social studies teacher and master gardener Robert Constantine of Redlands, California.

Robert was born on April 4, 1946, in Redland, California. Following his high school graduation in 1964, he attended University of Redlands from 1964 to 1968. While in college, he ran cross country and track and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Sigma fraternity. In his junior year, he was tapped for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society recognizing superior leadership and exemplary character. In his senior year, Robert garnered the Collis Steere Award, given to the senior athlete with the highest grade point average.

It was also at Redlands where Robert met classmate Peggy Rivers, who would become his wife of 52 years. Following graduation, both attended University of La Verne to earn their teaching credentials. After graduation from La Verne in 1969, the couple married and joined the Peace Corps. Together they served in Brazil from 1970 to 1972 in a program dedicated to planting gardens in elementary schools. During those years, he also taught English at the local high school.

Upon their return from Brazil, Robert accepted a position as a teacher in Pomona Unified Schools. After a stint in the US Air Force Reserves in 1972, he returned to teaching in 1973, this time in Covina. There he taught history and social studies for the Charter Oak Unified School District, where he taught both regular and International Baccalaureate courses. He also coached cross country, track, soccer, and basketball. His career there spanned 34 years. He retired in 2007.

Even in retirement, Robert remained active. He became a volunteer for the food pantry run by Inland Valley Hope Partners. He served on their board from 2013 to 2021, including two years as chairman. In addition, he helped facilitate the partnership between Hope Partners and Amy’s Farm, where he recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. He also helped build the South Pomona Community Garden and supervised volunteers there. In 2015 the nonprofit recognized him with its highest honor, the Hope Partners Founders Award.

In 2017, the former educator became a Certified Master Gardner with the University of California. In this role, he was a member of the orchard team, taught Grow LA Victory Garden classes at Fairplex, and taught gardening in the master gardener booth at the LA County Fair.

Robert Constantine, teacher, master gardener, and tireless volunteer, passed away on March 11, 2022, from congestive heart failure.

SD math teacher Nichole Bowman earns Milken Educator Award

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Nichole Bowman, a high school math teacher in Pierre, South Dakota, has earned a prestigious Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Pierre School District.

It is always a pleasure for me to share stories about talented educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Nichole Bowman, a high school school math teacher from South Dakota who has earned a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2021-2022.

Nichole’s career as an educator has spanned a total of 15 years, all of them in South Dakota. She currently teaches Geometry, Algebra, and Algebra II at all grade levels at TF Riggs High School in Pierre. Previously she taught at Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre, and she has also taught at schools in Rapid City and Kimball.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Nichole has worked for the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) on reviewing and revising state content standards in math. She has also led workshops that share best practices for math teachers. She has also worked on a committee that explores policies that address the needs of the district’s diverse population.

Nichole’s work with her students goes well beyond the pedagogy. “I start by making sure they know it’s not just about math. It’s about them—about their education and how they learn, and what they know they are capable of,” she declares. “Half the battle as a math teacher, and probably any educator, is making them believe that they can do it. I really let them keep their own pace. I introduce a topic. Then, it’s really on them,” she continues. “They work in teams—three brains are better than one—and they work together, and they communicate. Communication is a big one,” Nichole concludes.

The Milken Award is not the only recognition Nichole has earned. Just last month, Nichole was selected Pierre School District 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Nichole is a native of Armour. After her high school graduation in 2003, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with a Specialty in Mathematics, in 2007 from Northern State University in Aberdeen.

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 award 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 whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Elem teacher Carri Hicks serves in the Oklahoma State Senate

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Former elementary school teacher Carri Hicks now serves in the Oklahoma State Senate. Photo credit: The Oklahoman

Many excellent educators also earn acclaim in the political arena. One of these is Carri Hicks, an elementary school teacher who currently serves in the Oklahoma State Senate.

Carri earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Political Science from Oklahoma City University (OCU). She earned a Master’s degree in Leadership Management and a second Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, both from Capella University.

Once she earned her degrees in 2011, Carri accepted a position as an elementary school teacher in the Putnam City School District. After three years of teaching kindergarten at Tulakes Elementary, she transferred to the Deer Creek School District, where she taught first grade for two years and fourth grade math. She then taught science for two years at Grove Valley Elementary. During these years, Carri also served as a site representative for the Oklahoma Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union.

Outside of the classroom, Carri has worked as an adjunct professor at OCU, where she instructed courses in the College of Education. She has also earned recognition for her work as an educator. In the summer of 2019, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame designated her as a Fellow of the Gaylord McCasland Education. Her work with that organization was to reshape the museum experience for young learners. She has also been named the CEO of Rainbow Fleet, a nonprofit located in Oklahoma City that supports early childhood education and quality child care.

In November, 2018, Carri was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Oklahoma’s 40th District. There she serves on the Committees for Education; Health & Human Services; Transportation; and Finance. Her focus in the legislature has been to restore decades of budget cuts to public education, improve access to health care, and address the state’s massive labor shortage.