A one-on-one with a student in the hallway…
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Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Auto shop teacher Bob Mauger named finalist for 2025 California State Teacher of the Year
Bob Mauger has been named one of five finalists for 2025 California State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Corona High School
I am always excited to share the news that an outstanding teacher has earned recognition for their work, especially if that teacher is one who works in the same school district where I worked before I retired! Today, I share the news that Bob Mauger of the Corona Norco Unified School District in Corona, California, is one of five educators to be named a 2025 California State Teacher of the Year.
Bob instructs technical education transportation automotive courses—also known as auto shop—at Corona High School. In fact, he is credited with revitalizing the automotive technology program at his school, providing students not only the technical skills necessary to work in the automotive industry, but also developing personality traits needed to success, including confidence, a strong work ethic, and integrity
“It is the commitment of my students who give up extra time on weekends and after hours to make this program successful,” declared Bob when he discovered he had earned the honor. “I wouldn’t be getting this award without you,” he told his students. “When I started, I knew the job was about preparing students for careers in automotive technology,” he continued. “But, I’ve come to realize that connecting them to the community to help those who might not otherwise be able to afford car repairs was important,” he concluded.
Bob didn’t always harbor a desire to become an educator. In fact, he didn’t even consider the career choice until he volunteered at his daughter’s elementary school. Originally, he considered a career as a probation officer.
The honored educator earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social and Criminal Justice with a minor in Child Development from Ashford University. He earned his Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from Brandman University. He has three teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects; Industrial and Technology (ITE); and Career and Technical (CTE).
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Texas teacher Sue King: One of the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma
High school History teacher Sue King helped colleagues become better educators through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma. Photo credit: DKG
Many talented classroom teachers are also devoted to assisting their colleagues to become better educators. One of these was Sue King, a high school history teacher from Texas. Sue worked to provide professional training and support to fellow women teachers through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG).
Sue was born January 8, 1886, in Pilot Point, Texas. After she graduated from high school, she enrolled at North Texas State Normal School in Denton. There she earned a reputation for a proficiency in languages and history.
After completing her courses at Denton, the novice educator taught history in high schools in Denton and Mineral Wells. Later she taught history in Fort Worth. By all accounts, her students found her inspiring.
During vacation periods Sue read widely for her own pleasure as well as to select supplementary materials for the school library. At one point in her career she served as the Chair of the History Department at the University of California in Berkeley.
In 1929, Sue was one of 12 educators who founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG) in Texas. Because of a long-standing custom in those days, women were prohibited from meeting together professionally. Nevertheless, the group of women believed there was a need for an organization in which women educators could assist each other in their efforts to become better teachers. The 12 co-founders extended membership in their newly-formed organization to rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; and school administrators. Today, DKG members still work together to improve professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships to those who need support to improve their professional skills.
Sadly, Sue King passed away May 4, 1930. To read more about this amazing educator, see this biography on the website of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. To read more about the organization, click on this link: DKG.
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Elementary school NJ teacher Emily Litz garners prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award
Elementary school teacher Emily Litz has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards
There are many exceptional teachers working in our nation’s schools who are deserving of recognition. One of these is Emily Litz, an elementary school teacher from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award.
Emily teaches fifth grade at Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School. In her classroom, she tailors lessons and teaching techniques that apply to her students’ diverse academic needs. She incorporates hands-on, inquiry-based, conceptual learning over memorization.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Emily mentors fellow educators, contributes to developing curriculum and pacing guidelines, and implements new programs. She also served on a committee that developed a fifth grade standards-based report card.
Emily is well-known for the creativity and spirit of play she brings to her lessons. She sprinkles her students with glitter for good luck before tests. She transforms her classroom into a wilderness, complete with a “campfire,” where students share their writing pieces. She has also developed a classroom job application where students must explain their qualifications in writing to be “hired” for positions ranging from attendance aide to supply manager.
Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 2010 and her Master’s degree in Education with a Specialization in Reading and Literacy from Capella University in 2020.
The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to a $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. To learn more about the program, click on their website at Milken Educator Awards.
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Teacher Miriam Del Banco earned acclaim as an author and poet
Teacher and principal Miriam Del Banco was also an acclaimed author and poet. She is pictured here in 1931. Photo credit: Public Domain
I am always excited to share the story of a talented educator who has earned accolades for their work as writers. One of these is Miriam Del Banco, a teacher and principal who earned acclaim as an author and poet.
Miriam Del Banco was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 27, 1858. Her father was a respected rabbi and her mother was a homemaker. Sadly, Miriam’s father passed away when she was just an infant, and and Miriam went to live with an uncle in St. Louis, Missouri. She enrolled in school there, and even as a child, she displayed remarkable talent as a poet.
When she grew up, Miriam attended Missouri State Normal School (now known as Missouri State University) in Springfield. She earned her PhD from DePaul University in 1921.
Once she completed her initial degrees, Miriam relocated to Chicago, where her mother was already living. In 1885, she accepted a position as a public school teacher in Chicago schools. Four years later she became an assistant principal at Von Humboldt School, and in 1904 she was named the principal of McClellan Elementary School. In 1908 she became the principal of Motley Public School.
In addition to her work as an educator, Miriam was also a prolific writer and translator. She translated Kayserling’s “Die Jüdischen Frauen,” which appeared serially in the columns of the Jewish Advance and was published in Chicago in 1881 and Alberti’s “Ludwig Börne,” which appeared in the Menorah, published in 1888-1889. Miriam also published articles in educational journals and she wrote many poems, both Jewish and secular in content, that were published to high acclaim. A collection of her work entitled Poetry and Prose was published posthumously.
During her lifetime, Miriam was a member of the Principal’s Club; the Ella Flagg Young Club; the National Education Association; and the Wild Flower Preservation Society.
Miriam passed away on November 6, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. She was 61 years old.
