MARGARET MAZZIOTTI- EDUCATOR/ROLE MODEL

The school year has just begun, the students are excited and the teachers are excited to begin a new year. There are many great students in the school and the principals are clearing the halls before the first bell rings.

Even with all the great things that the year has to offer, there is one particular student who feels like he is hitting a brick wall. Things at home have his mind preoccupied and he is far from focused and motivated. He fights for his own identity in class, he knows he is gifted but the weight of home life is overbearing.

After being challenged in every area, the student decides to walk away from it all and get a moderate job. Being a good student is not a hard thing for this pupil; he excelled in every area and was the talk of the school. He was a part of state Choir, ROTC and other great organizations but the pressure was too much.

Coming from a dysfunctional family unit began to take its toll on the promising student and he simply gave into the pressure. He looked around and decided to just receive his GED and attain a job in a plant or factory.

The student decided to try on various occasions to attain the GED but he was always distracted.

One day, in walked Mrs. Margaret Mazziotti, a true educator.

Margaret Mazziotti was born in Monroe, Louisiana on October 26, 1945 to Jimmie Luther and Velma Easterling Terry. She was employed by the Caddo Parish School Board for 26 years where she served as the Adult Education Testing/Coordinator, grant writer, GED Examiner, and most importantly, student advocate and caring counselor to many adult Ged students working to put their lives and futures together.

Throughout her life, she spent many hours encouraging students and her own family to do their very best. She graduated from Ouachita Parish High School and attended Northeast State University with a Bachelors of Science in Social Services. After working briefly in that field, she attended Louisiana Tech University where she earned a Master's Degree in Counseling.

She was also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and the Junior Leagues of Monroe and Shreveport-Bossier. Ms. Mazziotti always carried a smile that lit up any room and she had a special talent of being a concerned, empathetic listener who was never judgmental. This talent she carried brought her many great friends and an adoring and loving family.

That student was actually me and I soon came in contact with a teacher who would show her concern and care for me. It was on various occasions that I gave up and kept giving up on my studies. Now it wasn’t because I didn’t know the curriculum, I simply gave up and gave in way too easily.

Margie, as she would instruct people to call her, was one of the most stylish women that you would ever come in contact with. She had an eye for fashion that was to die for. I remember that she always drove the best vehicles and smelled like an angel. She was a breath of fresh air and made everyone feel important.

Every time I would go to my local Wal-Mart or Target, I would see Mrs. Mazziotti and she would encourage me to pursue my GED courses. I went on with my life and I began to work for my church in property management.

One day, there was an announcement that we had a special guest and low and behold, it was Ms. Mazziotti. I was over the moon, no matter where I went- I would see her. This time around the program was being offered within the offices at my job. I knew this was my chance.

Ms. Mazziotti firmly stated,”Darian Murray, I am not going to heaven until I see you get that GED.”

I knew at that moment that I had no other choice and this was my last chance. I continued to attend the classes and applied myself with determination. I was attending a weekly staff meeting and I received a call from Mrs. Mazziotti and I knew what it was. I excused myself and returned her call and I received the news- I HAD PASSED!

We both got emotional and I let out the loudest victory cry. She was emotional and I was overly emotional. I thanked Ms. Mazziotti for not giving up on me and for giving this African American boy a chance to believe in myself.

Months later I was informed that Ms. Mazziotti had passed away from a long term illness. I was floored but then I remembered what she had informed me,” I’m not going to heaven until I see you get that GED.”

Every time I look at my GED I think of Margaret Mazziotti and all that she accomplished but the most important accomplish in my opinion is that she never gave up on me.

I SALUTE YOU MRS. MAZZIOTTI- Sleep with the angels!!!!!