Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell
Timothy Bloodworth: American educator, patriot, soldier, and statesman
Timothy Bloodworth was a teacher, soldier, patriot, and statesman from the Revolutionary War. Photo Credit: Founder of the Day
Chalkboard Champions have been as much a part of American life as any other hero since the very beginnings of our country’s history. One such historical figure was North Carolina educator, patriot, and statesman Timothy Bloodworth.
Timothy was born in New Hanover County, North Carolina, in 1736. He was named after his father, who had migrated to North Carolina from Virginia in the early 1700’s. As a young man, Timothy had little formal education, but he pursued a variety of careers. Although he spent most of his adulthood before the Revolutionary War as a teacher, he also farmed, kept a tavern, operated a ferry, practiced medicine, and preached occasionally. He also worked as a wheelwright and watchmaker, but he was probably best known as a blacksmith.
This talented educator eventually emerged as a leader in the movement for independence from Great Britain. When war broke out in 1776, Timothy began making weapons such as muskets and bayonets for the Continental Army. According to legend, he even saw combat as a sniper in fighting around Wilmington, North Carolina.
In 1778 and 1779, he served as a member of the state legislature for North Carolina. After the war ended, he held a number of political posts until serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1786. Timothy was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the First United States Congress, a position he held from 1790 to 1791. After his tenure in the House ended, he returned to the North Carolina State Legislature. In 1794, Timothy was elected to the United States Senate, where he served from 1795 to 1801. From then until 1807, this chalkboard champion served as collector of customs in Wilmington.
Timothy Bloodworth passed away on August 24, 1814. During World War II, the liberty ship SS Timothy Bloodworth was named in his honor.
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Texas teacher Lalla M. Odom was one of the original founders of DKG
Texas teacher Lalla M. Odom was one of the original founders of the professional organization known as the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG). Photo credit: DKG
Many talented classroom teachers are also devoted to assisting their colleagues in their efforts to become better educators. One of these was Lalla M. Odom, an elementary school teacher from Texas. She worked to provide professional training and support to fellow women teachers through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG).
Lalla was born on April 8, 1874, the second oldest in a family of seven children. She was raised in Fayette County, Texas. As a child, Lalla was intelligent and ambitious. After her high school graduation, she attended first Waco Female College and then Baylor University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree when she was only 17 years old. Not content to end her studies there, Lalla enrolled in the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. After she earned her diploma there, she accepted a position as a music and math teacher at Willie Halsell College in Vineta, Oklahoma. There she met and married Edgar Odom. The couple returned to Texas, where they settled in Austin in 1917.
In Austin, Lalla accepted a position at Metz Elementary School, where it was apparently unknown that she was married. At the end of the school year the School Board threatened to lay her off because of her marital status, but her cause was championed by an open-minded superintendent. After a few weeks, the Board reversed its decision. Lalla became the first married woman to earn a permanent contract in Austin.
When school officials decided to establish the first junior high school in their district, Allen Junior High, Lalla was selected to head the Math Department there. To hone her professional skills, she went back to college, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree at the University of Texas. She took additional graduate courses in education, government, and English.
In 1929, Lalla was one of 12 educators who founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG). Because of a long-standing custom in those days, women were prohibited from meeting together professionally. Nevertheless, the founders believed there was a pressing need for an organization in which women educators could assist each other in their efforts to become better teachers. The 12 co-founders extended membership in their newly-formed organization to rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; and school administrators. DKG members still work together today to improve professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships to those who need support to improve their professional skills.
In addition to her work in the classroom and with DKG, Lalla was actively involved in city, state, and national political affairs. She also was active in professional organizations such as the Classroom Teachers Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.
This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away on April 14, 1964. She was interred in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
To learn more about the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, click on this link: DKG.
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Teacher, cookbook author, and television personality Shirley McClay
Long-time elementary school teacher Shirley McClay was also a highly-acclaimed cookbook author, television personality, and public speaker. Photo Credit: The Daily Bulletin
There are many outstanding educators who have accomplished a host of impressive achievements even after they have left the classroom. One of these is Shirley McClay, an elementary school teacher from Southern California who became an acclaimed author, television personality, and public speaker.
Shirley was born on Sept. 1, 1932, in Los Angeles, California. In 1948, she moved with her family to nearby Lake Elsinore, where she enrolled at Lake Elsinore High School. After her high school graduation, Shirley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education with a Minor in Art from Southern California’s Pepperdine University. Once she earned her degree, Shirley went on to launch her career as a kindergarten teacher. She spent 25 years in the classroom.
Once she retired from teaching, Shirley and her friend Marilyn Meich co-authored several cookbooks. The pair published The Fast and Fabulous Four Ingredient Cookbook in 1984, the highly-acclaimed Original 4-Ingredient Cookbook in 1987, and The Trim & Thin 4 Ingredient Cookbook in 1988. By herself, Shirley published Caught Bear Handed? Recipes By Shirley Atwater-McClay in 1988 and Slick Chick Recipes By Shirley Atwater-McClay in 1989. To promote the cookbooks, Shirley appeared on local talk shows. In addition, she appeared at many engagements as a public speaker. And as if that weren’t enough, she owned and operated her own dance studio for a number of years.
During her lifetime, Shirley belonged to a number of organizations, including the American Association of University Women, PEO, the Lion’s Club, Newcomers, and several local book clubs. An avid world traveller, the retired teacher travelled extensively with her husband, Marvin McClay. She often declared her favorite destination was the continent of Africa.
Sadly, Shirley MclCay passed away on June 24, 2024, in Murrieta, California. She was 91 years old.
