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.

Dr. Rachael Mahmood name 2025 Illinois State Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Dr. Rachael Mahmood has been named the 2025 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Rachael Mahmood

Many outstanding educators are recognized for their dedication and innovation each year in state-wide Teacher of the Year programs. This year, the state of Illinois has selected Dr. Rachael Mahmood, an elementary teacher from Aurora, Illinois, to receive their state honors.

Rachael teaches fifth graders at Georgetown Elementary School in the Indian Prairie School District. In her classroom, she works diligently to nurture her students’ love for school through identity-affirming curriculum, engaging instructional strategies, and relationships that build a culture of care and inclusion. Her curriculum includes learning through exploration, completing hands-on projects, participating in field trips to museums, students peer-teaching kindergartners, and finding ways students can use their knowledge to improve their own communities. 

During her 20 years as a professional educator, Rachael has chaired equity teams and a diversity advisory parent group, facilitated dialogue circles, delivered professional development, and authored curriculums within her district and across the state. As a Teach Plus Fellow and the Chair of the Educational Task Force for the Muslim Civic Coalition, she leads resource design and professional development designed to accompany new educational laws passed in Illinois. 

In addition to her Teacher of the Year honors, Rachael was recognized as a semi-finalist in the Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2020. She also garnered the Distinguished Alumni of Elmhurst University in 2021. Additionally, she earned the Michael Feldman Educational Leadership Award from Elmhurst University and the Rising Star Alumni Award from Benedictine University.

Rachael earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Benedictine University in 2004. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Education from Elmhurst University in 2008. She also earned a PhD in Education from Northern Illinois University in 2016.

 

AZ math teacher Kristi Peterson garners coveted PAEMST

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Arizona math teacher Kristi Peterson has garnered a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: PAEMST

There are many outstanding educators working with America’s young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Kristi Peterson of Arizona. In January, 2025, she was recognized by President Joe Biden with a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Kristi teaches mathematics at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. There she instructs courses in Honors Algebra 1 and Algebra II to students in grades nine through twelve. She also serves as an instructional coach there. Previously, Kristi was employed as the Secondary Math Coordinator for Gilbert High School Ray High School. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Chandler Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Central Arizona College. In all, she has been an educator for 31 years.

In her classroom, Kristi challenges students to build an understanding of mathematical concepts through exploration and collaboration. She emphasizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. “I am far from the same teacher I was when I started teaching,” declares Kristi. “Just as I expect my students to challenge themselves, I strive to improve all the time,” she continues.

In addition to her work with students, Kristin serves her school as the Mathematics Department Chair, a member of the School Improvement Committee, and the co-sponsor for the Student Council.

Kristi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Arizona State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Add Chalkboard Champions to your summer reading list!

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Terry Lee Marzell

Author Terry Lee Marzell with her book, Chalkboard Champions

Over the years, many people have asked me what inspired me to write my first book Chalkboard Champions. I guess a large part of it had to do with coming home every night after spending another day investing my ALL into my kids, my lesson plans, my classroom, lugging a pile of papers to grade the size of Mount Everest back and forth to school, and then coming home to turn on the television, only to hear some politician or news commentator bemoaning the sad condition of “failing schools.” How demoralizing!

Anyone who spends any time at all in schools knows that there is much more success than failure going on there! In any work environment I have been a part of in the forty years of my work history, I have never seen a more hardworking, dedicated group of individuals than the teachers, administrators, and support staff that worked at my school. And because I communicate with teachers from all over the country, I can tell this dedication and work ethic are shared by professional educators everywhere. The world is full of amazing teachers, and these Chalkboard Champions, present and past, need to be celebrated!

I love to share stories about remarkable teachers, and there are so many wonderful and inspirational stories to be told! I simply selected twelve of them throughout American history to explore in my book. My hope is that these stories will revive the spirit of the professional educator and cultivate respect and appreciation for the teaching profession from the general public. Why not add these stories to your summer reading list? The book can be found on amazon at the following link: Chalkboard Champions.

PA’s Chuck Heberling: Teacher, coach, NFL referee, veteran

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Chuck Heberling was a teacher, a coach, an NFL referee, and a veteran of WWII. Photo credit: Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

Many outstanding educators also serve as excellent sports officials. One of these is Chuck Heberling, a Pennsylvania teacher and coach who was also a distinguished official for the National Football League (NFL).

Chuck was born on April 28, 1925, in Pittsburgh. After his graduation from Perry High School, he served during WWII as a fighter pilot in the United States Navy. At the conclusion of the war, he enrolled at Pennsylvania’s Washington & Jefferson College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1949. There he was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in both football and baseball.

After earning his college degree, Chuck accepted a position as a teacher and the coach of the football and basketball teams at East Washington High School. During the 1970’s, he served on School Board of the North Allegheny School District.

For 15 years, Chuck worked as a football official at the high school and college level. He also spent 23 years as an official in the NFL. For 16 of those years he was the crew chief. And as if that were not impressive enough, he was the referee for two of the most famous games in professional football: The Hail Mary in 1975 and The Drive-In in 1987. He also served as an alternate on the crew of officials for the Super Bowl XIII and the Super Bowl XXI, and as the replay official for the Super Bowl XXIII.

In 1976, Chuck became the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPISL). At that time, the WPIAL was rapidly growing as one of the top scholastic organizations in the country. In 1992, Chuck inaugurated the WPIAL Scholar-Athlete program. During the next few years, the program awarded scholarships to more than 50 students from more than 40 high schools. Chuck retired from the WPIAL in 1997 after 21 years. Today, the WPIAL serves as a model around the county for high school athletic organizations.

In 2002, Chuck was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson College Hall of Fame.

Chuck Heberling died of natural causes on Dec. 9, 2019, at his hime in McCandless, Pennsylvania.