Many superb educators also achieve successful careers in politics. One was Utah’s LaWanna Shurtliff, a high school English teacher who was elected to her states House of Representatives. Photo credit: Utah House of Representatives.
Many superb educators also achieve successful careers in politics. One of these was Utah’s LaWanna Shurtliff, a high school English teacher who was elected to her state’s House of Representatives.
LaWanna was born in Smoot in Star Valley, Wyoming, on June 13, 1935. As a youngster, she spent much of her childhood on her grandfather’s farm engaged in various farm chores. She milked cows, tended sheep, fed chickens, gathered eggs, and hauled hay. That’s how she learned the value of hard work.
After she graduated from Star Valley High School in 1953, LaWanna attended Utah State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1957. She inaugurated her career as an educator at Roy Junior High in Utah, and later transferred to Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah. There she taught English, accounting, and business. Her career as an educator spanned from 1966 to 1994, a total of 29 years. In addition to her classroom duties, she was elected the President of the Ogden Education Association, the Director of the Utah Education Association, and a member of the National Education Association.
For her work in the classroom, LaWanna earned many accolades. Over her lifetime, she received the Alumni Merit award from Utah State University; the Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Certificate for her work with the Weber County League of Women Voters; the Lewis W. Shurtliff Award for Contributions to Education; the Utah Domestic Violence Council Award; the Weber County Commissions’ Hero Award; the UEA honor Roll; the Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence; and the Order of the Pearl Kappa Delta Sorority.
In 1998, LaWanna was elected to the Utah State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. She represented District 10 until 2008. Her decision to pursue politics sprang from her background in education and her wish to increase funding for public schools and Utah teachers. During her time in the legislature, the former educator passed bills that assisted victims of domestic violence and increased funding for Utah schools and teachers. The legislation she championed showed her fierce determination to protect women and children.
Sadly, LaWanna succumbed to pneumonia on Dec. 30, 2020. She was 85 years old. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article about her published by The Salt Lake Tribune.
