Biography - Education/Teaching History/Organizations - Message To Students
Biography
“I would like to tell you a little about my background. I came to America 55 years ago. I heard that America was the land of opportunity. As a child in Algeria during World War II, opportunities for education were scarce. I had little formal schooling though I learned not to lie, cheat, or steal. I also learned that a man without these values cannot know wealth. I also knew how to work hard and how to box.
I had met Americans stationed in Algeria who supported my boxing. 
A
friendly lieutenant took me to Château d’un and got me a job
with the American Red Cross and a place to stay in the PX. When the Americans
moved to Tunis, I went with them. In Tunis I was called the “American
Boy” since the American soldiers went to all of my fights. I had
always dreamed of coming to America and the chance came when Homer Cobb,
one of the soldiers, asked me to go home with him. I heard talk about
soldiers’ homes and was convinced that America was the place for
me. So I began my journey to this new land with the skills and knowledge
that I had.
I arrived in Charleston, South Carolina on July 10, 1947. It was a hot, sunny day. I was a young boy in a strange land. I knew enough English to ask for a sandwich and some milk, and I had the money that I earned on the ship, the S. S. Joshua B. Lippincott. I was an oiler and a wiper and was glad to have this job. Coming to America meant freedom. So, I got off the ship and headed for Napier, West Virginia, to the home of the friend that I met in Tunis.
I began to box to support myself and started to school in the 8th grade.
As a young 
immigrant
I was determined to be educated. I soon learned English and later earned
my GED. I loved to box but an education was of more value to me. So in
1953 I retired from the ring permanently and began my college career,
a great accomplishment for an ex-boxer.
I left Braxton County many times to attend school though I always returned ‘home’. So many people had helped me in so many ways that I had wanted to give back to the community. I believed that it is my duty to uphold my civic responsibilities. So I remained in Braxton County, the place I called home, where I served my community with pleasure.”
“I believe that teaching is one of the highest callings to which an individual may aspire, and that no one should enter such a calling without eagerness and a zest for the work. So many people have helped me in every way that I felt I would like to give something back to the community and to the young people in our schools and our community. I firmly believe that every day is an opportunity to reach another pupil in some way—not just with the subject matter, but with kindness, concern and care for the individual. No student learns by book alone.”
-James Boudjema Merzouk, 1924-2002
James B. Merzouk taught French, Spanish, and Latin in Braxton County for 44 years, until the age of 78. He retired in June, 2002 and passed away unexpectedly 6 months later.
Education
- Studied in Caen, France through WVU – 1972
- West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV - 1962-1972
- Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT - MA, French - 1966-1970
- University of Alaska, College, Alaska - 1967
- Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana - M.A., Spanish, Latin - 1957-1961
- Montana State University, Missoula, Montana - 1960
- Glenville State Teacher's College, Glenville, WV - 1959
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky - 1958
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana - 1956
- Anderson College, Anderson, Indiana, B.A. French, Bible - 1951-1956
- Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1954-55
Teaching History
- Braxton County High School - French, Spanish, Latin Teacher - 1969-2002
- Glenville State College - French Adjunct Faculty - 1978-1982
- Gassaway High School - French Teacher - 1967-1969
- Sutton High School - French, Spanish, Latin Teacher - 1960-1969
- Burnsville High School - French, Spanish, Latin Teacher - 1958-1966
- Burnsville Elem. School - French Teacher - 1958-1966
Professional Memberships, Community Organizations, Awards and Recognitions
- American Federation of Teachers - Member
- Modern Language Teachers Association- Member
- American Association of Teachers of French, West Virginia Chapter –Vice President
- Attended numerous state Foreign Language Conferences
- In 1982, attended the 35th Annual Kentucky Foreign Language Conference in Lexington, KY
- In 1980, attended George Sand Conference at WVU
- NEA (National Education Association), WVEA (West Virginia Education), CTA (County Teacher Association) - Member
- Attended many WVEA (West Virginia Education Association) Conventions
- Held in-service training in French for county teachers
- Conducted French classes in community education
Supervised Student Teachers in French for Glenville State College, from 1968-1976 - Served as Lions Club vice president, tail twister, worked on the program committee, youth committee, and Braxton County Home Coming Committee
- Directed singing groups for Lions Club programs
- Coached community soccer and boxing
- Taught Sunday school class, gave talks to a variety of church groups, served on finance committee for the building of the new church sanctuary
- Sponsored student travel abroad
- Taught community education classes in conversational French to teachers and gifted grade school and middle school students
- Worked with the youth for a number of years in the Governor's Summer Youth Program
- Member of Braxton County AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
- Chosen 2002 Who's Who Among American's Teachers
- Was 1977 and 2003 Braxton County Teacher of the Year
- Attended 1967 NDEA (National Defense and Education Act) Summer Institute - Advanced Level Participant- University of Alaska
- Attended1963 NDEA (National Defense and Education Act) Summer Institute - Second Language Participant - West Virginia University
- Attended 1960 NDEA (National Defense and Education Act) Summer Institute - Intermediate Level Participant - Montana State University
Message To Students
Believe in an education. Always remember that an education is the one thing that no one can take from you. Believe in your dreams and make them happen. Never give up and never settle for less. Put all of your energy in your goals. Be thankful for what you have, and go after what you want. Life is yours. Come by it honestly. Don’t wait for something to happen and don’t look for a free ride. If you need help, accept it. What you receive from one person, you give back to another. Be kind to each other. It’s the right thing to do. Remember it takes less energy to be good to others than to start a war. Don’t make excuses for yourselves and don’t place blame on others. Never say the word “can’t”. Do your best in school and listen to your teachers. Remember that an education is money in the bank and no matter where you come from or who you are you have so much to offer. Take a chance on yourself. Never give up!