Uncrowned Community Builders

Marilyn Ann Foote-Kragbé is the daughter of Lonnie Charles and Mary Ellen Foote. She is the fourth of eight children born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She attended all Buffalo Public Schools: School 53, Woodlawn Junior High, (former Buffalo Traditional known presently as Buffalo School of Performing Arts) and East High School; presently, East Community School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Rosary Hill (now Daemen College) and Rosary Hill honored her with the 'Who's Who in All Colleges and Universities in 1974."

This distinction of Who's Who in All Colleges and Universities awarded to Marilyn because she began her teaching career right away as a freshman in college, working all four years as a pre-k teacher while studying for a degree in Elementary Education. This was a unique achievement.

After graduation, Marilyn married a citizen of the Ivory Coast in W. Africa and went to live for twelve and a half years there. She became fluent speaking and reading in French and, taught at the International Community School of Abidjan as a teacher in the K - 3 grades. She was also a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a Summer School Director.

She raised her daughter, a son and seven extended family members. Her son was active in the Boy Scouts while she served as a Merit Badge Counselor and Parent Committee Member for many years in her son's troop. Her son achieved the Eagle Scout rank. He is now married and serving in the Air Force. Her daughter was a high school State Champion in the intermediate high hurdles in track and field for New York State. She received a four- year sport's scholarship in track and field at SUNY at Buffalo. She also was a missionary and traveled to Australia, Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and China. She also worked in local and statewide missions' trips. She participated with the Federation of Christian Athletic Camps in Erie, Pa. and she was a missionary with the International Student Institute at Buffalo State College and SUNY at Buffalo campuses. She earned her Master's Degree in Administration and working as an Assistant Director in Community Education at Medaille College, Buffalo, NY.

Ms. Foote-Kragbé received the Master's Degree from SUNY at Buffalo in Elementary Education in 1989, she then commenced working for the Buffalo Public Schools. She held various teaching positions from pre-k to 6th grades. She also, worked with the Teacher Education at the Science Museum (TEAM) for six years and trained teachers on how to use the science kits in elementary science. Her research in science journal writing and rubrics opened up numerous opportunities: She was a guest presenter at State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Canisius College and Daemen College in elementary science education, training in-service teachers. Ms. Foote-Kragbé worked with Dr. Ann Wright on a research to practice team from Canisius College in science journal writing, publishing two articles in the STANYS Journal (Science Teachers at New York State) and was a presenter twice at the New York State Science Conference.

Under her fine tutelage, many of her students have distinguished themselves in local, state and national poetry competition. In addition, she is an accomplished poet whose works have appeared in both national and local publications. The Buffalo Public School Board twice awarded Ms. Foote-Kragbé the Teaching Excellence Award for her work with her students. In February 2006 a journalist, Ron Watson of The Buffalo News, wrote an article about her sixth grade class' project on honoring the fallen African American sailors of Port Chicago, California during WWII.

Ms. Foote-Kragbé has published seven faith-based children's realistic fiction novelettes called "Puddinhead." Her first, second and third books were honored with endorsers: Christian Radio WDCX, Neil Boron, retired teachers Eva Doyle, and Walter Kemp II, along with the Retired Deputy Speaker of the House of New York State, Honorable Arthur O. Eve.

Ms. Foote-Kragbé has retired after 45 joyful years of teaching and now is working on her children's book series and poetry writing. As of this date, she has written seven books in this series. The first book, "Puddinhead" Marilyn translated into French and her fourth book; Puddinhead & the Christmas Poem was is in the top 10 finalist's list in the International Book Award in 2012. Her newest writing project is working on her memoir. The first of the three volumes plans of completion is in 2020.

For her dedication and contributions to the education of children, she received the SHERO Award, Making a Difference, One Life at a Time . . . Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs, Inc. The 95th State Convention, July 2003. She received the honors with the Apple of the Teacher Award, November 2004 with the IOTA PHI Lambda Sorority, Inc., BETA PHI Chapter and Eva Doyle's Roses for Outstanding Women Awards Program.

Ms. Foote-Kragbé has served in church where she sang on the Praise and Worship Teams and participated on the Prayer Teams. She has worked as a Sunday School Teacher, a choir member, served on the Summer Mission work in Buffalo at the Corner Stone Manor, Camp Penuel in Pennsylvania and the Urban Christian Ministry. She was a major financial contributor to the United Way during her 26 years in the Buffalo Public Schools.

With a servant's heart, she holds dear these scriptures, "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you land! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100: 1 - 4 Amen!

Here are the links to communicate with her:
Website: www.http://puddinhead.weebly.com
E-mail is Puddinhead.Club2017@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Puddinhead.Club/

Uncrowned Queens: https://www.uncrownedcommunitybuilders.com/person/marilyn-2