Terry Lee Marzell has earned a prestigious Martin P. Mathiesen Award from the California Retired Teachers Association. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

Author and retired teacher Terry Lee Marzell was one of four members of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) who received a 2025 Martin P. Mathiesen Award. The awards were announced at the Annual Convention and Delegate Assembly held in Los Angeles last June.

The Mathiesen Award is presented to recognize CalRTA members for their service to CalRTA and to the community. Marzell earned the honor for her service as the CalRTA Division 80 President, newsletter editor, and Scholarship Committee member. Marzell has also participated in numerous community service projects, including gathering donations of clothing and hygiene products for low-income students, food banks, and homeless shelters, and pet foods and supplies for the local no-kill pet shelter. She has also worked as an adult literacy tutor at her local library.

The Mathiesen Award is given to runners-up for the 2025 Ruth Q. DePrida Award, which was earned by Lynn McKenna of Eureka. In addition to Marzell, this year’s Mathiesen Award winners included Scott Schmerelson of the San Fernando Valley; Pat Zetah of Solano County; and David Belk of Redlands—Yucaipa.