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.

Oklahoma’s Donna Gradel inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

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Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. (Photo credit: Donna Gradel)

Congratulations to Donna Gradel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who has been named one of five educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF). The group will be officially inducted on June 18, 2021, at a ceremony in Emporia, Kansas.

Donna taught Environmental Science at Broken Arrow High School from 1996 to 2020, a total of 24 years. She left the classroom to accept a position as the Dean of Academic Development and Innovation at Summit Christian Academy, a private school located in Broken Arrow.

The Chalkboard Champion has earned accolades for her hands-on work with students, leading them to develop a sustainable, low-cost, solar-powered, aquaponic system to help feed people living in poverty in Kenya. Many of her students traveled with her to Africa during the past summer to continue working on the classroom project, which also has provided safe, clean water for an entire village, as well as for a nearby elementary school and medical clinic.

“Donna Gradel is committed to unlocking the potential of her students by empowering them to solve real-world problems for the benefit of their global community,” remarked Richard Knoeppel, a 2019 NTHF inductee. “Her students are exposed to environmental issues and challenged to create solutions.  Always asking her students ‘what problem do you want to solve?’ gives them a sense of purpose and has shown them that their teacher has a genuine concern for them and is willing to be their champion,” he continued.

The honored educator was selected the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2018, and she was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year honors in 2019.

To read more about Donna Gradel, see this story published by the Tulsa Beacon.

Music educator Ken Tuttle once performed with notable celebrities

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Ken Tuttle

California music educator Ken Tuttle once performed with notable celebrities. (Photo credit: San Bernardino Sun)

Many excellent music educators have also earned fame as performers. One of these was Ken Tuttle, a choir teacher from California, who also performed with notable celebrities.

Ken was born on July 28, 1952, in Painesville, Ohio. As a youngster, he attended Western High School in Las Vegas. After his high school graduation, Ken earned his undergraduate degree from Chapman University in Orange, California He earned his Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting Performance from the the University of Nevada, Reno.

Ken’s career as a teacher of the performing arts spanned 37 years. He worked at schools in Reno, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and finally settled at Redlands High School in San Bernardino County, California. There he served as the Chair of the Vocal Music Department for 24 years, until his retirement in 2015. In addition to teaching choir, Ken taught piano and music theory classes, and he was involved in many theater productions. Many of his students were Special Education students. Ken escorted his students to prestigious competitions and festivals, where the groups often earned first-place trophies and gold medals

For his work in the classroom, Ken garnered the Outstanding Choral Music Educator of the Year by the California Music Educators Association in 2012. In 2016, he was named a Hero of the Arts by the Redlands Community Music Association. Ken frequently served as an adjudicator or guest clinician for festivals, honor choirs, and all-state choirs throughout the Western United States. He also served a stint as the President of the Southern California Vocal Association.

Not only was Ken an outstanding classroom educator, but he was also a sought-after musician. He served as a soloist with the William Hall Chorale, touring all over Europe. He also sang in a choir that performed back-up vocals for Barry Manilow and Paul Anka.

Ken Tuttle passed away on December 8, 2020, in Highland, California. To read more about him, see this article published in the San Bernardino Sun.

Denver teacher Marie Greenwood, a Civil Rights pioneer

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Denver teacher Marie Greenwood made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in her community.  (Photo credit:: The Denver Post)

Many fine educators have made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in their community. One of these was Marie Greenwood, the first African American to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. She is known for breaking down barriers to racial equality within her city.

Marie was born November 24, 1912, in Los Angeles, California. When she was 13 years old, she moved with her parents to Denver, Colorado. As a youngster, Marie faced the challenges of segregation. She was not allowed to join her middle school’s swim team, and her guidance counselor advised her that her ambition to go to college would be a waste of her parents’ money, because the only work she could expect was as a cook or a housekeeper. Despite these challenges, Marie graduated third in her class at West High School. She also garnered a scholarship to Colorado Teachers College, which is now part of the University of Northern Colorado.

Once she earned her degree in 1935, Marie returned to Denver where she accepted a position as a teacher at Whittier School. She was one of the first African-American school teachers in Denver. She is highly regarded as a pioneer for integration in the city, and for breaking down racial barriers in the school district. in fact, she was the first African American teacher to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. Marie taught at Whittier for ten years, and then left the profession to raise her family. In 1955, Marie returned to the profession, accepting a position as the principal of all-White Newton Elementary. Although this Chalkboard Champion retired in 1974, she continued to work with children as a volunteer, right up until right before her passing.

Marie was also a published author. When she was 95 years old, she penned a volume of vignettes about teaching children facing challenges, and three years later she published her autobiography.

Marie Greenwood passed away November 15, 2019. She was 106 years old. To read more about this remarkable educator, see this story about her published by Denver Public Schools.

 

PA’s George M. Wertz: Teacher, politician, and jack of all trades

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Pennsylvania teacher, politician, and jack of all trades George M. Wertz. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania State Senate)

George M. Wertz, a teacher, a politician, and a jack of all trades, is just one example of the many fine instances where skillful educators have also made their mark in the political realm. In addition to his career as an educator, George also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the US House of Representatives.

George was born July 19, 1856, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Hoffman) Wertz, and was born one of seven children on the family farm homestead. As a youngster, he attended public schools, including Ebensburg Academy, and the National Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. In later years, National Normal School merged with Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.

After his graduation from college, George found employment as a teacher, working in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, from 1876 to 1884. He continued his service as an educator working as a school director from 1886 to 1894.

George began his career in politics when he was elected Cambria County Commissioner, a position he held from 1893 to 1896. He went on to serve as sheriff of Cambria County from 1897 to 1901. In 1909, the former teacher was elected on the Republican ticket to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he served until 1913. Once he left the state senate, George organized and managed the Johnstown Daily Leader, where he worked from 1911 to 1917. Between 1923 and 1925, George served in the 68th United States House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania’s 20th District. After he left Congress, George worked as a real estate agent.

This talented educator and politician passed away at the age of 72 on November 19, 1928. He is buried in Grand View Cemetery in Johnstown. The family farm where he was born has been named a state forest. To read more about George M. Wertz, see this link to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Nebraska’s Diane Biere earns Staples “Thank a Teacher” Award

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Middle School teacher Diane Biere of Hastings, Nebraska, was one of 20 educators nationally who earned a Staples Thank a Teacher Award.  (Photo credit: Hastings Public Schools)

Here is an outstanding educator from the state of Nebraska: Diane Biere, an English teacher who works at Hastings Middle School in Hastings, Nebraska. Diane was one of 20 educators nationwide to receive a Staples Thank a Teacher Award. Each of the 20 winning teachers received a $5,000 gift card to purchase supplies for their classroom.

Diane has a reputation for ensuring her students feel empowered, for bringing out the best in others, and for helping them be the best version of themselves. She served as the advisor for the school’s Poetry Club, organizing poetry readings outside of school hours, all of this for no additional pay.

Not only does she pour her energy into her students, but she also contributes to her community. When Covid-19 closed down the school last spring, Diane provided meals for students and their families. She also delivered gifts to her students at the end of the school year. She also donated many volunteer hours at the middle school garden. Over the summer, she spent a great deal of her time creating lesson plans and teaching migrant students in her district.

A native cornhusker, Diane graduated from Hebron High School. After her high school graduation, she attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, from 1962 to 1964, and University of California at Berkeley from 1964 to 1967.

To read more about Diane and the other national winners, see this link to the Staples Connect website.