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.

KY teacher Janet Helvey succumbs to Covid-19

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Elementary school teacher Janet Helvey of Meta, Kentucky, succumbed to Covid-19 on December 26, 2026. She was 58 years old. Photo credit: Lexington Herald Leader

We are sad to report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Janet Helvey, an elementary school teacher in Meta, Pike County, Kentucky, succumbed to the disease on December 26, 2021. She was 58 years old.

Janet taught fifth grade, specializing in science and math, at Johns Creek Elementary in Meta. Her career there spanned 22 years. The popular and respected educator will be sorely missed. “She will be one of the teachers who has etched a mark in my son’s heart, asserted Parent Jennifer Lindon. “She offered additional time for my son when needed and pushed him to succeed when needed. She was compassionate and kind but stern because she knew his ability to succeed,” Lindon said.

Janet was born on July 20, 1963, in Pikesville, Kentucky. After her graduation from Mullins High School, she attended Pikeville College and Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky.

RI teacher Laura Barlow named TeachKind 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Laura Barlow, a middle school teacher from Providence, Rhode Island, has been named the TeachKind 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: PETA

Many talented classroom teachers incorporate their personal interests into their curriculum. One of these is Laura Barlow, a middle school teacher from Providence, Rhode Island. She finds many ways to incorporate her advocacy for animals into her arts courses. For her work leading students to appreciate the needs of animals, Laura has been named the TeachKind 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Laura teaches a variety of arts classes at Roger Williams Middle School in her school. Among them are visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, and photography. She is certified to teach Special Education and she is experienced at working with multilingual learners, so she is able to inspire students of all abilities and backgrounds to express their creativity to help animals through dynamic instructional activities. For example, in her unit about the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment, she asks her students to create a posters that contain compelling images and a clear message to advocate for change that benefits other people, animals, and the environment. With her performing arts students, Laura reads plays that contain compassion as a themes, and then she leads discussions that connect the plays to current issues, including animal rights and social justice struggles. For example, when studying The Lion King, students research issues that affect the animals in the play, and after reading Random Acts of Kindness, the students discuss and write about ways they can show more kindness toward others, animals, and the environment.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Laura donates her time as the leader of Rhode Island Vegan Awareness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating a vegan lifestyle. She writes articles, gives talks about vegan living, hosts vegan cooking demos, distributes vegan meals to those in need, organizes community cleanups, and helps organize outreach events.

As the TeachKind 2021 Teacher of the Year, Laura will receive an animal-friendly gift basket designed especially for teachers, a faux-leather backpack from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and a subscription to vegan meal delivery service.

To learn more about Laura Barlow, see this article about her published by PETA.

Jacobie Bluhm engages students with nerdy quotes and hip-hop

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Digital media teacher Jacobie Bluhm from San Jacinto High School in Southern California engages his students with nerdy quotes and hip-hop dance moves. Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Many talented educators use unique and unusual teaching methods to reach their students. One of these is Jacobie Bluhm, a digital media teacher from San Jacinto High School in Southern California. He engages his students with nerdy quotes from Star Wars and hip-hop dance moves.

One of Jacobie’s favorite Star Wars quotes is Yoda’s “Do or do not. There is no try.” After he printed the quote on his syllabus at the beginning of the school year, his students called him a nerd. Before long, though, the students admitted that their teacher was teaching them that the key to success in their learning was increased effort.

Jacobite guides his students in real-world assignments, including web design and creating content for the school’s website. “They are not just turning in something for the teacher to look at. They are putting out something for the website.” says Jacobie’s colleague Jeremy Murphy. He says this level of engagement is a big deal to students. “Engagement is a big deal,” says Murphy, “to keep kids interested and also keep expectations at a level where they are continually growing.” And, Murphy continues, Jacobie brings a lot of energy to his approach to teaching.

“My teaching style is a bit different,” admitted Jacobie. “I’m very open and honest. And I feel that that is the best trait that teachers can have,” he continued.

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Jacobie teaches hip-hop dance after school as part of the Murrieta Dance Project. There he puts his kids at ease while simultaneously challenging them to be their best. His goal to help his dancers find and develop confidence. “There’s a spark in them that they won’t let be contained,” he asserts.

 

Whitney Aragaki named Hawaii’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year

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High school science teacher Whitney Aragaki from Hilo, Hawaii, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: University of Hawaii, Hilo

I always enjoy sharing stories about educators that have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Whitney Aragaki, a high school science teacher who has been named Hawaii’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year.

Currently, Whitney teaches Biology and Environmental Science at Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii. Her skill as an educator has been praised at the highest levels of the state’s Department of Education. “Whitney’s innovative approach to teaching offers students meaningful cultural and place-based learning opportunities that are both rigorous and relevant to our young learners,” asserted Interim Superintendent Hayashi. “Science can be an intimidating subject for students, but Whitney successfully engages her students in exciting and empowering ways,” he continued. Whitney’s principal, Kelcy Koga, agreed. “Mrs. Aragaki’s commitment to excellence goes far beyond her teaching and the four corners of her classroom,” he remarked. “She sees the benefits that a sound education can provide, and is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to not only serve her students but her colleagues and school community as well,” he said.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Whitney has taught AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, and AP Computer Science Principles for the statewide Hawaii Virtual Learning Network’s E-School since 2013. She is the lead teacher of the Waiakea High Public Services Academy, which was recognized as a National Model Academy under the National Career Academy Coalition in 2018.

Whitney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Swarthmore College, and her Master’s in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Whitney is a National Board certified teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics, and she is a Google-certified educator. In addition, she is an alumna of the Hawaii State Teacher Fellowship and the National Education Association Teacher Leadership Institute. In 2019 and 2021, she was named a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in mathematics and science teaching.

 

Stacey Bess: Teacher in the School with No Name

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Former elementary school teacher Stacy Bess, who taught in the School with No Name located in a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo credit: Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.

Here is a teacher who is truly inspirational: Stacey Bess of Salt Lake City, Utah.

As a first-year teacher, Stacey landed in a classroom set up in a storage shed in an area homeless shelter. The facility was literally referred to as the School With No Name. As you can imagine, her students wrestled with a variety of issues, including unstable living arrangements, domestic abuse, poverty, and alcohol and drug-abusing parents. Not the most desirable circumstances for learning. But this remarkable teacher created a safe and loving classroom environment for her kids. She went to battle with the local school board for a more suitable teaching space and better resources. And, oh, yeah, she raised her own family and defeated cancer at the same time.

When Stacey can, she travels throughout the country sharing her story and offering inspiration to new and veteran educators. “We are in the best business in the whole world,” she tells her audiences. “We are in the kid business.”

You can read the story of the dynamic Stacey Bess in Beyond the Blackboard,available through amazon.com.