Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Tracy Kraft-Tharp: Colorado school teacher and politician
Many fine educators have achieved success in areas outside of the classroom. One of these is Tracy Kraft-Tharp, a former middle school teacher who was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. Photo credit: coloradopolitics.com.
Many fine educators have achieved success in areas outside of the classroom. One of these is Tracy Kraft-Tharp, a former middle school teacher who was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives.
Tracy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Education from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. In 2000, she earned Juris Doctorate from the University in Denver.
Tracy inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position as a middle school teacher. From there, she became a social worker at the Tenneyson Center for Children, where she worked with at-risk children. Next, she served as the Director of Adolescent Services at Gemini House. She also worked as the Director of Battered Women Services at the Women in Crisis women’s shelter. Later, Tracy taught college courses as a professor at Metropolitan State University located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is also a former professor at Regis University in Denver.
In 2012, Tracy was elected to represent the 29th District on the Democratic ticket. She served in that body from Jan., 2013 to Jan., 2021. There she worked tirelessly for job growth. She passed legislation to support the Re-Hire Colorado program, which provides job coaching and training to unemployed and underemployed Colorado residents. She also sponsored legislation creating a suicide prevention task force to reduce the rate of suicide in Colorado. In addition, the former middle school teacher was appointed to serve on the Jefferson County School District Strategic Planning and Advisory Council.
In addition to her professional affiliations, Tracy is a member of many organizations, including the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Council; the Jefferson County Parent Teacher Association; the League of Women Voters; and the Human Services Council.
Since 2000, Tracy has run her own consulting firm, working with small businesses and nonprofits to increase strategic planning, facilitation, policy development, ED mentoring, and facilitation.
To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to the website for Tracy Kraft-Tharp.
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Khalif and Victoria Rasshan found African American Museum of Beginnings
After they retired, educators Khalif and Victoria Rasshan founded The African American Museum of Beginnings (TAAMB) in Pomona, California. Photo credit: TAAMB.
Retired educators often become involved in projects that improve and enrich their community. This is certainly true of Khalif and Victoria Rasshan, a married couple who are both retired teachers from the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) in Pomona, California. The pair established, curate, and run an African American museum in their home town of Pomona.
The African American Museum of Beginnings (TAAMB) is a community museum that inspires and educates all who are interested in the history, culture, and arts of Africans and African Americans. The museum offers exhibits, programs, and community engagement. The collection includes information dating back from 6,000 BC to the present. In addition, ancient artifacts and little-known African contributions are on full display. The Rasshans founded the museum in 2011 after they retired following more than three decades in the teaching profession. The couple credits Gloria Morrison and Alma Morrison Rahmaan for the inspiration for the museum. In the early 1990’s, the Morrison sisters called for relevant cultural education for their children.
Khalif was born in Los Angeles and raised in Compton, California. He graduated from Garey High School in Pomona in 1969. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California, in 1973. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa in 1977. He was employed as a high school English and Social Studies teacher in the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) from 1976 to 2010, a total of 34 years. Victoria graduated from Centennial High School in Compton, California, and, like her husband, studied at La Verne University. She is a retired elementary teacher from PUSD. In 1969, Victoria was honored as her District’s Teacher of the Year.
To learn more about the TAAMB and to visit the museum website, click on this link to www.taamb.org.
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NY teacher Stefanie Clark earns Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award
Congratulations to Stefanie Clark, a teacher from Oakfield, New York. She is one of 20 educators nationwide who have been named a recipient of a 2020 Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award. Photo credit: Oakfield-Alabama Central School District.
Congratulations go to Stefanie Clark, a teacher from Oakfield, New York. She is one of 20 educators nationwide who have been named a recipient of a 2020 Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award.
Stefanie teaches first grade at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School. During distance learning established in response to the pandemic, Stefanie held individual online literacy lessons weekly with each of her young readers. Through these lessons, the exemplary educator encouraged and ensured her students’ continued growth.
But Stefanie’s dedication to young people is evident outside of her classroom as well. She distributed grab-and-go meals and held special virtual events during her school’s closure. These virtual events included a Fort-Nite Party where students built their own forts. She also organized a virtual Halloween Costume Party where students dressed up in costume to enjoy a bedtime story. Stefanie definitely embodies the phrase, “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.”
As part of the recognition from the Staples “Thank a Teacher” Program, Stefanie will receive $5,000 to spend on supplies for her classroom. The office supplies store is happy to provide the cash awards to the recipients, remarked Mike Motz, Chief Executive Officer of Staples US Retail. “Staples knows that teachers will need our support more than ever — whether they’re teaching in the classroom, remotely or a combination of both,” said Motz.
To read more about Stefanie Clark, read this article published by The Batavian.
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Covid claims life of science teacher Dr. Cathy Falkner of Texas
With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021. Photo credit: Killeen Independent School District.
With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021, following a lengthy hospitalization.
Cathy was born on March 8, 1973, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a young girl, she attended Fort Wayne Community School. In 1991, she graduated fourth in her class from Northside High School. All throughout her life, her family membes say, Cathy exhibited a thirst for knowledge which made her an avid reader and scholar.
Once Cathy earned her high school diploma, she enrolled at DePauw University, a private school of higher learning located in Greencastle, Indiana. Later she graduated with honors from Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, as a pre-med major. She earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.
After earning her medical degree, Cathy changed her emphasis from medicine to teaching science. She became a science teacher at first at Killeen’s Crossroads High in Coperas Cove, Texas, and then Ellison High School in Killeen, where she spent the last three years of her teaching career.
Despite the fact that her teaching career was short, the fallen educator was an inspiration to many. “The students and staff of Ellison High School will remember the positive impact she made on their lives during the three years she was on campus,” expressed District spokesperson Taina Maya. “Despite the illness, Ms. Falkner’s main concern was for her students and their continued success in her class. Her dedication educating students will be greatly missed,” Maya continued.
To learn more about Dr. Cathy Falkner, see this obituary published by McDowell Funeral Home.
