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.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden continues to teach despite big responsibilities

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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a former high school English teacher and current community college professor, continues to teach despite her numerous responsibilities as America’s First Lady. Photo Credit: the hill.com

You may be familiar with Dr. Jill Biden, the nation’s current First Lady. But did you know that she is a former high school English teacher? In addition to her experience at the secondary level, Jill has been a professor of English at Community College since 2009. She has declared her intention to continue teaching during her entire tenure as First Lady.

Jill was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. After she graduated from Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia, in 1969, Jill earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware (1975). She earned two Master’s degrees, one in English from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and one in Education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She completed the requirements for her PhD in Education from the University of Delaware.

After earning her degrees, Jill accepted a position teaching English and reading in high school. She taught for three years at Claymont High School in Delaware, and then at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Delaware (1991-1993). For five years she taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at Rockford Center Psychiatric Hospital.

From 1993 to 2008, Jill taught English and writing at Delaware Technical & Community College. Since 2009, she has worked as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.

When her husband was elected to serve as the Vice President under the Obama Administration, Jill continued to teach full time, even though she had many responsibilities as the wife of the Vice President. She is believed to be the only Second Lady in history to hold down a full-time job while serving as Second Lady. Despite her workload in the classroom, Jill still found time for public service. During her husband’s Vice Presidential term, which spanned the years from 2009 to 2017, the hardworking educator co-founded the Book Buddies program and the Biden Foundation. She also spearheaded a nonprofit organization to support women’s health and another to support military families.

And her work as a public servant and educator continue. Dr. Jill Biden: A true Chalkboard Champion.

What are teachers in Ukraine doing right now?

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Teachers are, without a doubt, some of the bravest individuals that exist on the planet. The proof? Teachers have volunteered to stay in Ukraine and resume teaching their classes in bunkers, basements, and underground subway stations. In times of upheaval, kids need the kind of calm, reassurance, and stability their Chalkboard Champions are providing.

Celebrating Women’s History Month!

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During the month of March, teachers all over the country will be celebrating Women’s History Month with their students. The annual observance features women’s contributions to history, culture, and society, and has been celebrated in the United States since 1987.

Women’s History Month had its origins as International Women’s Day, a day that commemorated the Feb. 28 meeting of social reformers and suffragists in Manhattan, New York, in 1909. On March 8, 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Europe—particularly in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark. However, the holiday wasn’t widely celebrated in the United States until 1975, when the event was first sponsored by the United Nations.

In March 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared that March 8 was the official start of National Women’s History Week. That same year, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah and Representative Barbara Mikulski of Maryland co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution declaring the week of March 8, 1981, National Women’s History Week. By 1987, Congress declared the entire month of March Women’s History Month. Since then, every president has declared the month of March Women’s History Month.

It’s important to celebrate this annual event to remind ourselves, and also teach our students, about the many accomplishments made by women throughout history. From science to literature to politics to the arts, the month-long celebration offers a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who have led the way for change, not only in our country, but also around the world.

So, Chalkboard Champions, teach on!

Brianna Ross named Maryland’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Sixth grade social studies teacher Brianna Ross has been named Maryland’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Morgan State University

Congratulations are in order for Brianna Ross, a middle school Social Studies teacher who has been named as Maryland’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year.

Brianna teaches World History to sixth graders at Deer Park Middle School in Randallstown, Maryland. She also serves as the Social Studies Department Department Chair and as her school’s Equity Liaison, where she works towards creating culturally inclusive classrooms. In addition, she co-ordinates a summer transition program to support incoming sixth graders in a variety of ways—socially, emotionally, and academically—as they prepare for the expectations of middle school.

“In my classroom, I have created a culture that prioritizes building positive relationships and academic rigor above all else,” declares Brianna. “It is my mission to ensure that when each of my students steps into my space, they feel that they are part of a community that loves them, values who they are, and will protect them no matter what,” she continues. “Taking care of my students will always be my first priority,” she concludes. Brianna’s career as an educator spans six years.

Her designation as Maryland’s 2022 Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition Brianna has earned. She was named a Fellow of the New Leaders Council in 2018 and worked with other educators to identify progressive solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future in Maryland.

Brianna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Development Psychology in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2015, both from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her certification in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University of Maryland in 2019. Currently, the honored educator is working on her PhD in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Brianna Ross: A true Chalkboard Champion.