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.

Washington teacher Annie Pintler shares unusual classroom pet with students

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Teacher Annie Pintler of Ridgefield, Washington, shows her fifth grade students their new classroom pet, an axoltl. Axolotls are a type of salamander native to Mexico.

Many elementary school teachers have enriched their learning environments with classroom pets that provide invaluable interactive experiences for their students. One teacher who has a very unusual classroom pet is Annie Pintler, a fifth grade teacher at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School in Ridgefield, Washington.

When Annie came across a post on Facebook from an individual who had an axolotl they could no longer care for, she instantly knew this was the classroom pet for her. An axolotl is a type of salamander, native to Mexico. The creature is an endangered species. “I knew I could build a whole curriculum around him,” Annie recalled. “What are axolotls? What do they like to eat?”

Annie adopted the unusual creature, and then gave her students the task of researching the species. The students named their classroom pet Creepy Buddy Aztec after learning that his species name derived from an Aztec word. Then they worked their way through the lessons designed by the creative teacher. The kids learned what an axolotl is, what they eat, and the origin of the species’ name. They also worked to create a satisfactory living environment for their shared pet. After the students concluded their study, Annie asked them to write a story about their research.

You can read more about this amazing educator in this online article from Katu on Your Side.

Students of fifth grade teacher Annie Pintler observe their new classroom pet, an axolotl.

Math educator, soccer coach, and outstanding athlete Lorraine Fitzhugh

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High school math educator and coach Lorraine Fitzhugh of Minden, Nevada, has also earned acclaim as a women’s soccer player.

There are countless examples of outstanding athletes who have gone on to successful careers as educators. One of these is Lorraine Fitzhugh, an outstanding soccer player who went on to coach and teach in Minden, Nevada.

After her high school graduation, Lorraine attended Washington State University, where she played soccer for her college team. Her position was defender. Between 1985 and 1987, she trained with the Western Regional team of the US National program. later, she played for a soccer club based in Seattle. That club won an over-30 national championship. In 1986, Lorraine competed with the US team in a play-off match against Canada for the North American Cup title. In that match, the US team emerged victorious.

In 1999, Lorraine accepted a position as a mathematics and technology teacher at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in Gardnerville, Nevada. The next year, she transferred to Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada. There she served as the coach of the boys’ junior varsity soccer team. The following year, she became Head Coach of the girls’ soccer team. Over the next eight years, she led her girls to two state titles, two regional championships, and three Sierra League titles. She retired from coaching in 2013.

Lorraine’s career as an educator has spanned 20 years. She continues to teach math, AP Computer Science, and Computer Science Principles. She also serves her school as a STEAM leader. To read more about this amazing athlete and educator, see this link at the Record-Courier.

Recharge with stories about inspirational teachers

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Congratulations, educators! You have nearly made it to the end of a particularly challenging school year! These past three months, dedicated educators all over the country have devoted themselves staying in contact with their students, preparing innovative online lessons, conducting classroom sessions via Zoom, and helping parents work with their kids to keep up. They’ve also been involved in attempts to preserve as many end-of-year traditions as possible, including scholarship awards and commencement activities. So much to do before concluding the end of a most unusual academic year!

Now that it’s almost over, you might be considering how to spend your well-earned summer vacation weeks. No doubt some time during this summer will be spent reflecting on how to best prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. But your leisure time might also include stocking up on something inspirational to read during your much-needed time off. The kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a summer reading list, right?

Reading the stories of inspirational teachers in challenging circumstances during American history is a terrific way to reflect upon your successes from the past year. And they can really add that extra oomph that helps you recharge your batteries for the year to come.

I have two splendid titles to suggest:  Chalkboard Champions: Twelve Remarkable Teachers who Educated America’s Disenfranchised Students (available here) and Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor (available here), both by Terry Lee Marzell. Each one is available in print or in e-book formats and is reasonably priced. You can also browse the titles on the Books to Read list found elsewhere on this website.

However you decide to spend your precious time off, enjoy!

Terry Lee Marzell

Author Terry Lee Marzell with her book, Chalkboard Heroes:Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor.

Retired Ohio teacher Hazel Begovich succumbs to coronavirus

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Retired elementary school teacher Hazel Begovich of Troy, Ohio, succumbed to the coronavirus on March 25, 2020.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of yet another teacher. Retired educator Hazel Lee Begovich passed away at Upper Valley Medical Center on March 25, 2020, in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. She was one of the first Miami County residents to lose her life to the coronavirus. She was 88 years old.

Hazel was born on December 21, 1931, in Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky. After her graduation from high school, she enrolled in Eastern Kentucky University. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education.

After moving with her husband to Troy, Hazel inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position working for the Troy City Schools as a first and second grade teacher. She spent the majority of her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Concord Elementary School in Troy. She retired in 1996.

Hazel was married to Charles Begovich for 59 years, and the union produced one daughter, Malissa Evans. To honor Hazel’s memory, Hazel’s husband has established the Hazel Begovich Memorial Scholarship in her name. The $1,000 scholarship will be offered starting in the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Begovich says the scholarship will be available for three consecutive years to a graduating Troy High School senior who declares the intention of pursuing a career in primary education.

According to her obituary, Hazel will always be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. The obituary also said that Hazel worked tirelessly to help her students pursue their goals.

Read more about this dedicated educator in this online story from the Troy Daily News.

Teacher, coach, and athletic director Paul Loggan succumbs to coronavirus

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Teacher, coach, and athletic director Paul Loggan of North Central High School in Indiana, succumbed to coronavirus on April 12, 2020.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of another dedicated educator. Paul Loggan of Indianapolis, Indiana, succumbed to the illness on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was only 57 years old.

Paul was born on April 5, 1963. As a young man, he graduated from Rushville High School in Rushville, Indiana, and then enrolled at the University of Indianapolis. He attended the university from 1981 to 1985. There he was an All-American linebacker. In 1981, he was a member of the Heartland Collegiate Conference Championship team.

Paul was named the Athletic Director of North Central High School in Washington Township, Indianapolis, in 2014. He had already been serving his school as a teacher, coach, department chair, and assistant athletic director. His career at North Central, which began in 1988. Before teaching at North Central, he also taught at Roncalli and Franklin High Schools. In all, Paul devoted 31 years of his life to his profession.

During his lengthy career, Paul coached 24 Division II and 36 Division I athletes, including players in a total of 14 bowl games. Three of his former players went on to play in the NFL. For his many successes as a coach, Paul garnered the Ken Leffler Award Contribution from the Indiana Football Coaches Association in 1990. He also earned the President’s Award winner for the Indiana Football Coaches Association in 1992. In addition, he was named a member of the UIndy Board of Directors for the Greyhound Club from 2005 to 2010. He was inducted into the University of Indiana Hall of Fame in 2012.

“Paul’s passion and dedication for North Central were unmatched,” remembered Rick Doss, Director of Secondary Schools of Washington Township. “He was an unbelievable advocate for NC athletics and every student who ever donned an NC uniform. While he wanted every NC team to win a state championship, he was he was an even bigger cheerleader for every NC athlete,” Doss continued. “He knew the value of team sports but wanted every student to grow through his/her athletic experience because he knew those experiences would set him/her up for success beyond high school,” Doss concluded.

To learn more about this amazing chalkboard champion, see this online article at WishTV.