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.

Taylor Bussinger named the 2024 Kansas State Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Social Studies teacher and coach Taylor Bussinger of Olathe, Kansas, has been named the 2024 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Olathe Reporter

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for his work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Taylor Bussinger, a middle school teacher who has been named the 2024 Kansas State Teacher of the Year.

Taylor teachers US History and Leadership courses to eighth graders at Prairie Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas. In addition to his teaching duties, Bussinger serves as the Head Boys Basketball Coach, the Head Cross Country Coach, and the co-founder and sponsor of the school’s Diversity Council. His career as an educator spans ten years.

The honored educator has a strong philosophy about education. “My job is not necessarily teaching history, but putting kids in a position where they’re doing the work of a historian, considering a topic and looking at it from multiple perspectives,” explains Taylor.

Taylor earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Social Studies from the University of Kansas in 2014. He earned his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas in 2018. In addition to his selection as the Kansas State Teacher of the Year, he was named a Horizon Award nominee in 2015 and he won an Educator Excellence Award in 20I8.

As the Kansas State Teacher of the Year, Taylor garnered a $4,000 cash award; the Kansas Teacher of the Year Lifelong Learning Scholarship to attend participating universities free of charge during his duration of teaching in Kansas; a Jostens “Leader in Education ring.” For the next year, he will travel around the state to advocate for education and provide professional development for his fellow teachers.

To read more about Taylor Bussinger, click on this link to an article about him published by The Kansas City Star.

 

Florida teacher Nicolette Barone named Hillsborough County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Florida teacher Nicolette Barone has been named Hillsborough County’s 2024 District Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Nicolette Barone

Sometimes outstanding teachers find their way into the classroom quite by accident. This is true of Nicolette Barone, an elementary school teacher from Florida who has been named the Hillsborough County’s 2024 District Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the Presidents Award for excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Originally, she intended to pursue a career in nursing.

Nicolette teaches mathematics to fifth graders at Oak Park Elementary School in Miami Beach, Florida. HDR career as an educator has spanned none years. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa.

The honored teacher’s route to the classroom was not a direct one. “I wanted to be a nurse. I was going to save lives,” Nicolette confesses. “But after failing anatomy twice, I realized teaching found me. I’ve never looked back since.,” she continues. Obviously, teaching is her calling. “I always tell people, it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it with love. If you bring love into your classroom, into your relationships, and into teaching, you’ll be successful. That’s the key to building connections that last a lifetime,” she declares.

Nicolette earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from the. University of Tampa University in 2016. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, also from the University of Tampa University.

The PAEMST (Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science teachers. The award honors 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, inventors, space explorers, and engineers.

Texas teacher Jasmine Thomas earns recognition

Posted on by

Here is a teacher you simply must meet: Jasmine Thomas of Houston, Texas. She has been named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Humble Independent School District.

Since 2022, Jasmine has taught fourth grade there at Autumn Elementary School. In addition to teaching, Jasmine is also a part of the Autumn Creek Elementary Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) team. Pouring positivity into the students and staff of Autumn Creek Elementary is part of her daily routine.

Jasmine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Communication Studies from Southwestern University in 2012.

The title of Humble ISD 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year comes with a check for $10,000.

Spanish-language teacher Marilyn Barrueta remembered

Posted on by

It is always a wonderful thing when an exceptional educator is recognized for their endeavors. The recognition inspires the rest of us to work harder. I certainly experienced such inspiration when I read the story of Marilyn Barrueta, a Spanish-language teacher from Virginia. This innovative and tireless educator was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2005, after a lengthy and illustrious career that spanned 48 years.

Marilyn was born November 28, 1935. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1957, and completed graduate work at several distinguished institutions, including Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Virginia.

For many years, Marilyn taught Spanish, Advanced Placement Spanish, and Spanish for Native Speakers at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Prior to working at Yorktown High, Marilyn taught English as a second language, math, and social studies at Stratford Junior High School in Virginia. Marilyn also taught summer school sessions for Arlington’s adult education program.

Marilyn’s former students remember her influence on their lives with fondness. “She challenged me beyond just the classroom,” recalls former student Julianne Koch, “and when I look back at how much I have grown in the past several years, I know much of it is because of her.”

This most impressive educator was also greatly admired by her peers, and several took the occasion of her induction to express their admiration. “Most impressive to me,” expressed Bill A. Heller, Department Chair of Perry High School, “is Marilyn’s tireless pursuit of knowledge. Through the lens of her experience, she is able to examine and evaluate the most promising new research, techniques and materials, and integrate those new findings with the very best of her vast repertoire of highly effective classroom-tested activities,” he said.

Sadly, this Chalkboard Champion passed away on November 4, 2010, in McLean, Virginia. She was 74 years old.