Middle school math teacher and politician Susan Bauman.

There are many fine teachers who earn a name for themselves in careers outside the sphere of education. One of these is Susan Bauman, a middle school mathematics teacher who also has an exemplary career as a lawyer, and who also served as the first woman mayor of Madison, Wisconsin.

Susan earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1965, and her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1966. She completed the requirements for her teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1970.

Susan inaugurated her career as an educator when she became a middle school mathematics teacher in the Madison Public School System in 1970. She taught there for eight years. During this time, she was elected President of her local teachers’ union, Madison Teachers Incorporated.

When Susan decided to move on from her career as an educator, she earned a law degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating in 1981. She served 12 years as an Alderperson on the Madison City Council. In April, 1997, she was elected the mayor of Madison, filling the unexpired seat left vacant by former Mayor Paul Soglin. Soglin resigned to run for Congress. Susan was the first woman to be elected to the mayoral position. Two years later, the former teacher was re-elected on the Dermocratic ticket to fill a full four-year term.

Once she left office, Susan was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. Susan served in this capacity from 2003 to 2011. Since leaving her position on the Commission in 2011, the former educator has maintained a private practice as a mediator and arbitrator.

In 2017, Susan became an inductee for a Worldwide Lifetime Achievement Award from Who’s Who.