In celebrating Black History Month, we pay homage to Mary Scales, an exemplary math teacher from Tennessee. (Photo credit: Murfreesboro Post.)
In celebrating Black History Month, we pay homage to our country’s many talented and dedicated African American educators. One of these is Mary Scales, an exemplary math teacher from Tennessee.
Mary was born on Sept. 24, 1928, in Columbus, Georgia, although she spent her girlhood in Chicago, Illinois. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned her Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She also completed postgraduate work at both Peabody College and Vanderbilt University,
After she earned her degrees, Mary taught in Murfreesboro at both Bradley Middle School and Boxwood Middle School, where she taught mathematics. She also served the school district as an administrator. Impressed with her abilities in the classroom, she was offered a position in the Education Department at her alma mater, MTSU, where she worked first as an Associate Professor, and then as a full professor. In fact, she was the first African American to join the faculty at that institution of higher learning. Later, Mary would work there as the Dean of Continuing Education and as a math specialist with the Tennessee State Department of Education.
In addition to her work as an educator, Mary dedicated herself to her community as both a member of Murfreesboro City School Board and the Murfreesboro City Council. She was the first Black woman to serve on the Council. This hardworking educator had a reputation for being a strong advocate for Civil Rights.
For her tireless work in the classroom on behalf of children, Mary earned many accolades. She was inducted into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame at MTSU in 2001. In 2005, a Murfreesboro elementary school was named in honor of both Mary and her husband, Robert.
Sadly, Mary passed away on Oct. 6, 2013, following a long battle with cancer. She was 85 years old. To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, see her obituary published by MTSU.
