A woman born and raised in Hanford was recently named Teacher of the Year for the United States Department of Defense, and is now in the nation's capitol to be personally congratulated by President George W. Bush. Cathleen Marziali, who began her teaching career in the Central Valley, currently teaches at Naples Elementary School in Italy. In October, Marziali was notified that -- after having been Teacher of the Year for Department of Defense Education Activity's Mediterranean district -- she was selected as the 2008 Teacher of the Year for the entire department.

Marziali graduated from Hanford High School in 1979 -- long after the moment that inspired her to teach. Marziali's third grade teacher at Jefferson School established a connection with her, taking special interest beyond her responsibility. And that connection is still what Marziali aims for with each of her students.

Marziali attended University of California at Los Angeles, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Fresno Pacific University, where she earned her Master's in Educational Administration.

While in college, Marziali did a summer abroad in Italy, where she met her husband, Stefano. Though she had studied Italian previously, she said she really learned it after meeting Stefano, because he didn't speak any English at the time.

The couple lived in the Central Valley as Marziali taught at Huron Elementary School, Lemoore's Meadow Lane School, Laton Elementary School, was a learning director in Hanford Elementary School District and a curriculum consultant with Kings County Office of Education. During that time, they had two children, Mitchell and Jennifer.

For about 16 years, Marziali worked with students learning English. Although most of the bilingual students she taught were originally Spanish speakers, the Marzialis raised in their home a different set of bilingual children, who learned English and Italian from birth. They subscribed to Italian TV channels and spoke Italian.

"When you walked in our house, you were in Italy," Marziali said last week during a brief visit in Hanford.

One night in 2003, nearly eight years after she had applied, Marziali was offered a job in Italy, with the Department of Defense Education Activity.

"It was kind of our dream come true," Marziali said of the job offer.

Marziali now teaches Spanish to each of Naples Elementary's kindergarten and first grade students, whom she said are a bit different than Kings County's students. She said she will never forget just before her first Spring Vacation in Naples, when she asked her students what they would be doing for their recess from school. Marziali recalled sitting in awe as the students told her they would be traveling to England, Rome and Paris.

Marziali added that the school environment on the Naples Navy base is safe and "kind of a teacher heaven."

"The military wants to make sure that the quality of life for people serving our country is high," Marziali said.

But nice environment or not, Marziali's supervisor, school Principal Richard Alix, believed her to be "radiating passion for the teaching profession," and nominated her for Teacher of the Year for the Mediterranean District.

"Cathy's standards-driven approach to teaching provides for rigor and relevance as she develops programs for the children she teaches," Alix said in an e-mail to The Sentinel. "Her focus on collegiality and her willingness to help whenever and wherever needed, serves as a beacon and gives positive direction to school-wide efforts that help every student achieve their highest potential."

Marziali was officially recognized as Teacher of the Year for DODEA in November at the Pentagon, and traveled back to Washington D.C. on Monday for a visit to the Smithsonian and the White House. Last week, she was in town visiting with her parents.

In spite of the honor, Marziali remains humble and said that it is still that "passion" for making that connection with children that drives her love of teaching. And she realizes now the opportunity that comes with the leadership markings of being a nationally-recognized Teacher of the Year.

"It's not about being recognized," Marziali said. "It's about what can you do to make a positive impact."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(April 22, 2008)