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.

Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil

Posted on by

Final resting place of Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil. He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Photo credit: Find a Grave

There are many outstanding educators who have taught in American public schools. One of them is Jeremiah O’Neil, a teacher, principal, newspaperman, judge, and state assemblyman from Wisconsin.

Jeremiah was born on a farm in Utica, Wisconsin, on Jan. 13, 1866. As a boy, he attended public schools in Mt. Sterling. Once he graduated, he enrolled at the state normal school, now known as the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. There he completed the prescribed course of study in elementary education in June, 1893.

Once he completed his education, Jeremiah accepted positions as a teacher and a principal at grade schools in Kewaskum in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac County, where he worked from 1893 to 1896. He worked an additional five years as a teacher in Crawford County.

After Jeremiah relocated to Wauzeka, a nearby village in Crawford County, where he served two terms as president of the town council. In 1906, he ran on the Democratic ticket for a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Crawford County. He won the election and served one term as a member of that body.

In addition to his work as an educator and a politician, Jeremiah worked as the editor and publisher for the weekly newspaper known as the Kickapoo Chief from 1899 to 1913, when he was elected the county judge for Crawford County, and gave up his position at the newspaper. Jeremiah served as the county judge for a total of 34 years.

In addition to his work as the county judge, Jeremiah served as trustee of the Equitable Reserve Association for 20 years. He was the county Red Cross Chairman for 16 years and was a long time member of the Kiwanis Club and the county Historical Society. He also served as director of the Peoples State Bank since 1927 and was president of that bank for many years.

Jeremiah passed away on Nov. 19, 1947, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and was interred in Evergreen Cemetery there. He was 81 years of age.

 

Jr high English teacher Erika Garza-Silva garners prestigious humanities award

Posted on by

Junior high school English teacher Erika Garza-Silva Texas has garnered a 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Photo credit: flour Bluff ISD

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for her work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Erika Garza-Silva, a Language Arts teacher from Texas. She has been recognized by Texas Humanities with a prestigious 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.

Erika teaches Language Arts at Flour Bluff Junior High School in Corpus Christi. In addition, she serves as her school’s Language Arts Department Chair and she fills the role of the University Interscholastic League Coordinator.

“I strive each and every day to be the teacher that sees beyond labels, language barriers, or economic status and only sees a student who is full of possibilities,” declares Erika. “It is not only because I know what it feels like to be treated differently, but because I know first-hand what can happen when a teacher believes in you,” she continues.

To achieve her goals, Erika incorporates cross-curricular activities and project-based learning into her learning program. For example, her students explore 1960s culture by analyzing song lyrics, researching fashion, dressing up, and tie-dying old T-shirts. Erika believes these immersive activities enhance her students’ understanding of course material and help them feel more connected to the characters in the readings that have been assigned.

This outstanding educator is obviously well-respected by her colleagues. “Erika Garza-Silva’s consistent devotion to her students, community, and school makes her such a valuable asset to education,” says Brooke Zepeda, Intervention Specialist at Flour Bluff Junior High School. “As head of the English Department, she has led her team to achieve record-high ELA STAAR scores and is a phenomenal role model for the teachers she leads. As a bilingual educator, she also helps tremendously with our English as a Second Language (ESL) program, working with eighth-grade ESL students to ensure they are excelling in their classes,” Brooke continues. “Erika embodies strength, dignity, and compassion in every aspect of her work,” she concludes.

Well done, Erika!

To learn more about Humanities Texas, click on this link to their website.

 

Elementary art teacher Emily Miller of Michigan earns recognition

Posted on by

Congratulations to art teacher Emily Miller from Allendale, Michigan. She has been honored by the Michigan Art Education Association. Photo credit: Emily Miller

Congratulations to art teacher Emily Miller from Allendale, Michigan. She has been named the 2025 Elementary Art Teacher Educator of the Year by the Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA).

Currently Emily teaches art classes to kindergarteners and first graders in Allendale Pubic Schools. She has worked there for the past five years. Previously to that, she worked for six years at Rockford Public Schools in Rockford, Michigan, located near Grand Rapids. She also served three years as an art teacher at Rising Star Camp, a facility for students with learning disabilities.

In addition to her honors from the MAEA, Emily has garnered a 2025 Art Education Leadership Award from Artsonia organization. According to Artsonia, this recognition is given to a visionary who continually inspires their peers in the art education community through their online school gallery. See more about this at Artsonia.

Her work in the classroom is not the only contribution Emily makes to the local art community. Since 2015, she has served as the President of Grand Valley State University’s College of Education Alumni Network, and from 2016-2023 she served on the university’s Alumni Board of Directors. Additionally, since 2018, Emily has volunteered with the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts on their Youth Art Committee. And as if all that were not enough, she also serves as the Chair of the Youth Art and Communications Committee, she is a member of the Operations Committee, and she is on the Board of the Directors for Festival.

Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education in 2014 and her teaching credential in 2015, both from Grand Valley State University. She earned her Master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum from the same university in 2020.

To learn more about Emily, click on this link to an interview conducted with her by Grand Valley State University in 2022. Also, below is a short video clip from a local news organization about Emily’s award.

Kansas math teacher Robin Anderson earns prestigious PAEMST

Posted on by

Middle School math teacher Robin Anderson of Andover, Kansas, has bee honored by Pres. Joe Biden with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: Andover Middle School

There are many outstanding educators working with America’s young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Robin Anderson, a middle  school mathematics teacher from Kansas. In January, 2025, she was recognized by President Joe Biden with a prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Robin currently teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra I, at Andover Middle School. She has worked in this capacity since 2019. Previously she served for 19 years as a counselor with Andover Public Schools. In all, her career as an educator spans 30 years.

In a press release, the National Science Foundation stated that “Robin is passionate about making her students effective problem solvers. She strives to have minds-on class discussions and allows their forward thinking to guide their Math Genius Hour projects and presentations. Most of her students and their parents believe her communication is what helps students develop into confident, logical thinkers.”

Robin earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh State University in 1997. She earned her Master’s degree from Wichita State University in 1999, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the same school in 2006.

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.