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.

Laura E. Settle: The founder of the California Retired Teachers Association

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Laura SettleIn US history, there are many examples of hardworking educators who continue to work towards improving the lives others, even after retirement. One of these is activist Laura E. Settle, the founder and first president of the California Retired Teachers Association.

Laura retired as a teacher from the Pasadena School District in Pasadena, California, while the country was struggling through the Great Depression. At that time, a retired schoolteacher received just $500 a year in pension benefits. To rectify this, a small group of teachers led by Laura Settle banded together to fight for better retirement incomes for their colleagues who were living in poverty after a lifetime of teaching.

In 1927, Laura contacted Los Angeles politicians with the goal of forming a local retired teachers’ group. Interested individuals held their first meeting  in Sycamore Grove Park. Laura was elected president, and she immediately launched into her work to expand the organization in other California communities. For years, she drove the dusty highways all over the state to help organize teachers in their common cause. All were welcome to join for the annual dues of $1.

After several years, CalRTA made its first major breakthrough in 1934, when pensions were finally boosted, and by 1943, Laura’s work had resulted in the formation of 17 divisions throughout California. Today, CalRTA is one of the nation’s largest retired teacher organizations with more than 43,000 members in 86 local divisions throughout the state.

In all, Laura served 16 years as the president of CalRTA, from 1929 to 1945. This amazing educator passed away on May 11, 1951. To honor her, a scholarship has been established in her name, and is given to deserving high school students who have declared an intention to go into the teaching profession.

Laura E. Settle: All teachers, whether currently retired or still in the classroom, owe her a great debt.

The amazing story of teacher and WWII Seminole Indian Code Talker Edmond Harjho

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Edmond Harjho

Teacher and WWII Seminole Indian Code Talker Edmond Harjho

I love to share stories about hardworking teachers who have also served our country in the military. One of these stories is about the amazing Edmond Andrew Harjho, an elementary school teacher who served as a Seminole Code Talker during World War II.

Edmond was born in Maud, Seminole County, Oklahoma, on November 24, 1917. He spent his boyhood in Maud, eventually graduating from Seminole High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree and his Master’s degree from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma.

During World War II, Edmond and his brothers enlisted in the US Army. The men served in Battery A of the 195th Field Artillery Battalion, and participated during the landings at Normandy in 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. The story goes that one day in 1944, Edmond was talking with his brother in their native language. The pair were overheard by their Army captain, who quickly recognized that the men could communicate with each other in their native tongue on the army radio and not easily be understood by soldiers from the opposing army. That’s how Edmond became a Seminole Code Talker.

For his military service, Edmond was recognized in 2013 with the Congressional Gold Medal. He was also awarded the Eastern African Middle Eastern Campaign Service Ribbon, a Silver Service Star, and a Good Conduct Medal.

After the war, Edmond taught elementary school, first in Maud Public Schools, then in the Justice Public School in Wewoka, Oklahoma, and lastly in the Pickett Center School located in Ada, Oklahoma.

Sadly, Edmond Harjho passed away from a heart attack in Ada, Oklahoma, on March 31, 2014. He was 96 years old. When he died, he was the last surviving Seminole Code Talker. He was buried at the Seminole Nation Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Louisa Lydia Alexander: Early African American educator

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Louisa Lydia Alexander

Tombstone of Louisa Lydia Alexander, early African American educator.

This year’s celebration of Black History Month gives us the opportunity to recognize African American individuals that may otherwise go unrecognized. Our country’s history is full of stories of amazing African American pioneer educators. One of these is Louisa Lydia Alexander, an educator from the South who was one of the first Black women to attend Oberlin College. .

Louisa was born at Mays Lick, Kentucky, on November 2, 1836. She was one of five daughters born to Henry and Lucy Alexander. Her father had been born a slave, but had been able to purchase his freedom when he was 21 years old. Once Henry was a free man, he became a merchant. Lucy and Henry worked tirelessly to earn money to send their daughters to school.

In 1950, Louisa was admitted to Oberlin College located in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin was the first American institution of higher learning to admit women students, and one of the first i the country to admit Black students. After studying for six years, Louisa completed the requirements for the Ladies Teaching course. She had earned her degree.

Following her college graduation, Louisa launched a lengthy career as an educator, teaching in numerous towns in the South, including Charleston, South Carolina; Marietta, Georgia; Henderson, Kentucky; Cumberland, Mississippi; Red Banks, Mississippi; Mays Lick, Kentucky; St. Mark, Alabama; and Giles Plantation, Mississippi.

This amazing pioneer educator passed away in Washington, DC, on August 18, 1911, at the age of 74. She is interred in Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio.

Educator and former football player Marcus Rucker of Texas

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Marcus Rucker

Educator and former football player Marcus Rucker of Houston, Texas.

There are many examples of excellent teachers who have also earned recognition as fine athletes. One of these is Marcus Rucker, a high school educator who also played professional football.

Marcus Bernard Rucker was born in El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1985. As a teenager, Marcus attended Magnolia High School in magnolia, Arkansas, graduating in 2003. While in high school, Marcus played in the Arkansas All-Star game, and was twice voted Most Valuable Player by his team-mates. In his senior year he was named a finalist for the Landers Award, an honor given to the top high school player in the state. A well-rounded athlete, Marcus also participated in track and basketball. In addition to his success in athletics, Marcus earned membership in the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta society, and placed on the Honor Roll all four years.

After his high school graduation, Marcus enrolled at Rice University, a private research facility located in Houston, Texas. There he double majored in Economics and Sports Management. While there, Marcus played college football for the Rice University Owls.

In 2007, Marcus attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks of Seattle, Washington, but was not signed to play with the team. However, in September of that year, the 6′, 200-pound linebacker did sign with Canada’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he was placed on their development squad.

When his career as a pro football player was complete, Marcus enrolled in the Teach for America program. That was 2011. That year, he was assigned to teach high school in an inner-city school in Houston, Texas. Currently this amazing athlete and professional educator serves on the leadership team of YES Prep Public Schools, Eisenhower Senior High, in Houston.

Way to go, Marcus!

The extraordinary Pauline Morton, from home ec teacher to Virginia Dept of Education.

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Pauline Morton

The extraordinary Pauline Cauthorne Morton, from home economics teacher to Virginia Department of Education.

There are many talented and hardworking educators that can be recognized during Black History Month. One of these is Pauline Cauthorne Morton, a home economics teacher from Virginia who dedicated her entire career to improving the lives of her students and the members of her community.

Pauline Cauthorne was born on February 19, 1912, in Dunnsville, Essex County, Virginia. As a young girl, she attended Ozena Public School, Dunnsville Public School, and the Rappahannock Industrial Academy. She earned her high school diploma in 1928.

After her high school graduation, Pauline enrolled at Virginia State University, which in her day was a historically Black college, located in Ettrick, Virginia. She completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1933. She also earned a Master’s degree in Education from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Pauline married Samuel Percell Morton, the principal of Hayden High School in his home town of Franklin, Virginia. She moved to Franklin and found a position as a home economics teacher there.

In 1947, Pauline accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Education, even though segregation was rampant in her state. Over the course of her employment there she became responsible for discipline throughout the state. She also implemented the federal school lunch program in her area. During these years Pauline chaired both the local school board and the community college board. She also became an officer in the Statewide Home Economics Association, and she assisted with the running of the Sesame Street Day Care center in her town.

In addition to her accomplishments as an educator, Pauline helped establish the Franklin chapter of the NAACP, became a member of the National Council of Negro Women, and served on the Board of Directors of Senior Services for Southeastern Virginia for 30 years.

For her many years of dedicated service, Pauline earned many accolades. She garnered the Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Award; the  Distinguished Service Award from the Franklin City Council; the Outstanding Service Award from the Virginia Community College System; and the Outstanding Service Award from the Local Advisory Board of Paul D. Camp Community College. Furthermore, in her honor, a scholarship has been established at Virginia State University.

Pauline retired from the teaching profession in 1974. She passed away on February 8, 2004. She was almost 92 years old. She was buried at Southview Memorial Park in Franklin.