Often exceptional educators become hardworking politicians. One of these is Barbara Kreamer, a Maryland English teacher who also served in her state’s House of Delegates.
Barbara was born on December 8, 1948. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Washington College in 1970. She earned her Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1975.
After earning her college degrees, Barbara accepted a position as a teacher of English and Creative Writing at Bel Air High School, a public school located in Bel Air, Maryland. She taught there from 1971 to 1976.
After leaving the classroom, Barbara enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 1989. Then she practiced law for 14 years. In 1981, Barbara was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Maryland House of Delegates, where she served from 1982 to 1990. She also served on the Harford County Council from 1978 to 1982. While on the County Council, she persuaded her fellow elected leaders to increase funding for public education. Next, the former teacher was elected to two terms of the Maryland General Assembly, representing District 34, Harford County. She served there from 1983 until 1991. While in this office, she sponsored legislation to support education and employment.
In addition to her responsibilities in office, Barbara served on the Maryland Commission for Women and Maryland Women’s Political Caucus. She also served as the President of the Maryland Association of Elected Women in 1985. In addition, Barbara garnered awards from both the Maryland Psychologists Association and the Maryland Jousting Association.
Currently, Barbara Kreamer is retired from the classroom and from politics. She resides in Aberdeen, Maryland. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this interview published by the Baltimore Sun.