Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Sugarcane Academy shows how to teach children evacuated following catastrophic weather events
As Americans mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we understand that citizens of New Orleans are still in the process of rebuilding their lives and their communities.As I usually do during times such as these, I ask myself questions about what the teachers were doing during times of upheaval like this. With regards to Hurricane Katrina specifically, I am reminded of a book I read which described a remarkable teacher who opened a school for the children of evacuees following the catastrophic weather event.
When surging flood waters from Hurricane Katrina forced thousands of families to flee from their homes, New Orleans residents had their minds more on survival than on whether their children would be missing school. But when a group of evacuee parents who landed in New Iberia, Louisiana, realized they would not be returning to their homes any time soon, they realized they had to find a strategy to help their children cope with their enforced and unexpected exile. They pooled their financial resources and hired a fellow refugee, teacher Paul Reynaud, to establish a one-room school for their children in an abandoned office building. The story furnishes valuable lessons for dealing with examples of nature’s fury.
The book is entitled Sugarcane Academy: How a New Orleans Teacher and His Storm-Struck Students Created a School to Remember.The author of this intriguing true story is journalist Michael Tisserand, and the volume was published in 2007 by Harcourt. You can find the book on amazon.com.
For other intriguing stories about remarkable teachers in America’s sometimes turbulent history, check out my book Chalkboard Champions. You will find it on the web site for Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
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For teachers and students in Minneapolis…
PA English teacher Ashlie Crosson named 2025 National Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to English teacher Ashlie Crosson of Mifflin County High School in Pennsylvania. She has been named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year!
Ashie earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Susquehanna University in 2011. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Pennsylvania State University in 2015. In addition, she earned a Gifted Certificate from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 2023.
The National Teacher of the Year Program is the most prestigious teacher recognition program in the country. Each year, the program provides a new group of State Teachers of the Year with professional learning and development experiences designed to increase each educator’s leadership skills while celebrating their talents and commitment as extraordinary teachers. From the group of State Teachers of the Year, one teacher is selected to be the National Teacher of the Year.
Here is an inspirational video about Ashlie for you to watch:
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NYC elem teacher Valerie Facciola garners 2025 Big Apple Award
New York City elementary school teacher Valerie Facciola has garnered a 2025 Big Apple Award. Photo credit: Linked In
I always enjoy sharing the story of an outstanding educator who has earned recognition for their work with students in public schools. Today, I shine a spotlight on Valerie Facciola, an elementary school teacher from New York City. She has garnered a 2025 Big Apple Award from the New York City Department of Eduction.
Valerie has worked as a professional educator for 18 the past years. Currently she teaches at PS 21, Margaret Emery School in Elm Park. In her classroom, Valerie places emphasis on developing engaging curriculum, celebrating diversity, and having fun while learning.
On her campus, Valerie helped launch a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE) book club at her school. In this book club, she and her colleagues studied Cultivating Genius by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad. After studying the book, Valerie developed lesson plans, led professional development workshops for fellow educators, and presented virtually at a citywide professional development session hosted by Dr. Muhammad herself.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Valerie has contributed to her school’s overall growth through her leadership on several teams, including the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), the Assessment Team, the CR-SE team, and the campus Professional Learning Community. In addition, she recently completed the coursework for the School Building and District Leadership program.
Valerie earned her Bachelor’s degree in French and Business Administration from St. John’s University in New York in 2001. She earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College in 2007, and she earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from the College of Saint Rose in Albany in 2023.
The Big Apple awards recognize the exemplary performance of public school teachers throughout New York City who inspire students, model great teaching, and enrich school communities. Nominees are nominated by district leaders and principals.
