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Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Illinois teacher Jim Marzuki was also a State Senator, WWII veteran, and accomplished sculptor
Illinois teacher Jim Marzuki was also a State Senator, WWII veteran, and accomplished sculptor. He is pictured here in 1985. Photo credit: Art of Jim Marzuki
There are many outstanding educators who serve their community in the political arena. One of these is Jim Marzuki of Illinois, a high school fine arts teacher who also served in his state’s House of Representatives.
Jim was born on June 22, 1925, the son of Italian immigrants. After his graduation from West Aurora High School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the military from 1943 to 1946.
Once the war was over, he returned to school on the GI Bill and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. He also earned two Master’s degrees, one from Governors Sate University and the other from the University of New Mexico. Once he completed his second Master’s Jim returned to Illinois, ultimately landing in Park Forest.
The former veteran inaugurated his career as an educator when he accepted a position at Rich East High School in Park Forest. He taught at the school from 1956 to 1980. There he instructed courses in Industrial Arts and Fine Arts, and he also coached football.
Jim was also an accomplished sculptor. He exhibited at art fairs in the Chicago area and was active at the Art Institute of Chicago, selling his work through their rental and sales gallery. He also created some wood carvings and paintings which showed influences of Native American and Mexican influences, as well as Picasso and abstract artists.
In addition to these accomplishments, Jim was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket, where he served from 1983 to 1985. He has also served on the Park Forest Village Board and on the Park Forest Planning Commission.
Jim Marzuki passed away on July 9, 2000, after having suffered a massive stroke.. To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to The Art of Jim Marzuki.
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During Black History Month, we recognize Hazel Harvey Peace: Prodigy, pioneering educator, and Chalkboard Champion
Hazel Harvey Peace was a pioneering educator, debate coach, counselor from Fort Worth, Texas. Photo credit: Public Domain
During Black History Month, there are many outstanding African American educators who deserve recognition. One of them is Hazel Harvey Peace. She was a pioneering educator who dedicated nearly five decades to her career as an educator and her passion for community service.
Hazel was born in August 4, 1907, in Waco, Texas. Even at a young age she was considered a prodigy. She was only 13 when she graduated from high school in Fort Worth in 1921. Then she enrolled at Howard University in Washington, DC, where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black sorority in the United States. When she graduated in 1923, still in her teens, she returned to Fort Worth to teach at her alma mater, which by then had been renamed I.M. Terrell High School.
Hazel worked at her alma mater, I.M. Terrell High School, as a teacher, debate coach, counselor, dean of girls, and vice principal. Because of her outstanding leadership, the school garnered recognition for its exemplary college-prep and fine arts curriculum. She also worked towards desegregation in the schools of her community.
In addition to her work at the high school, Hazel taught at several colleges, including Paul Quinn College, Huston-Tillotson College, and Prairie View A&M University. She also served as Director of Student Affairs at Bishop College in Dallas until 1982.
Even after earning her education and securing her teaching position, Hazel continued to pursue educational opportunities, During her breaks, she attended summer classes at Columbia University in New York. After earning her Master’s degree from Columbia, she completed post-graduate courses at the University of Wisconsin, Vassar College, Hampton University, and Atlanta University.
Hazel retired from education in 1981. But those who knew her never forgot what an important contribution she made to the community. For her community service Hazel earned the Humanitarian Award in 1977 and 1985 from the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission. In 1988, she received the Hercules Award from United Way. And when the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through Fort Worth on the way to Salt Lake City, Hazel was chosen to be a torchbearer.
Hazel passed away in 2008. She was 100 years old. To honor this Chalkboard Champion, the Collaborative of High Performance Schools was opened in Fort Worth in 2010. To learn more about Hazel Harvey Peace, click on this link.
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NJ teacher Jeanette Capritti garners 2025-2026 Milken Educator Award
Junior high school teacher Jeanette Capritti of New Jersey has garnered a prestigious 2025-2026 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards
It is always my pleasure to share the story of a talented educator who has earned recognition for her work in the classroom. One of these is Jeanette Capritti, a junior high school school teacher from New Jersey who has garnered a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2025-2026. She is one of only 30 educators to be so honored this year.
Jeanette teaches Language Arts to seventh graders at Lawrence Middle School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In her classroom, she strives to foster meaningful engagement and critical thinking skills and meaningful engagement. To accomplish this, she organizes immersive events such as sci-fi “book tastings,” where mood lighting, music, costumes, and thought-provoking questions designed to draw students into the material. In this way, Jennette encourages the use of personal, student-led storytelling to foster voice, structure, and identity.
In addition, Jennifer has contributed to the development of an elective writing course which strengthens student writing skills. She leads professional development within her district and mentors student teachers from Rider University. She has also served as a guest speaker at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). In the summers, she teaches literacy through the Summer Destinations Program.
Jeanette earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education in 2019 and her Master’s degree of Education in Literacy in 2024, both from TCNJ in Ewing, NJ.
The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the award includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.
