Della Au Belatti: Former teacher, member of Hawaii’s House of Reps Della Au Belatti

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Former teacher and current member of Hawaii’s state House of Representatives Della Au Belatti. Photo credit: Della Au Belatti.

Many talented educators also pursue a career in politics. One of these is Della Au Belatti, a high school teacher from Hawaii who has been elected to serve in her state’s House of Representatives.

Della, a Filipino American, was born on March 14, 1974, in Manoa, Hawaii. As a young woman, she garnered a position as an intern in the officer of US Senator Daniel Akaka. Akaka himself was an educator before his election to the US House of Representatives. Della worked in the Senator’s office from 1993 to 1996. During these years, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at Princeton University in 1996. She completed the requirements for her student teaching program at Trenton Central High School in Trenton, a public school located in New Jersey, also in 1996. She later earned a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law connected with the University of Hawaii, Manoa (2003).

Once she completed her internship with Senator Akaka, Della accepted a position as a Social Studies teacher at her alma mater, Maryknoll High School, in Honolulu. Maryknoll is a Catholic, co-educational high school. She taught there from 1996 to 2000.

In 2005, Della was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Hawaii State House of Representatives. She has represented District 24, which encompasses Makiki, McCully, Tantalus, Papakolea, Pawa‘a, and Manoa, since 2006. There she has served on several important committees, including Education; Higher Education and Technology; Economic Development; Labor and Tourism; Legislative Management; and the Select Committee on Covid-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness. She has also served as the Majority Leader since 2017. During her years as a legislator, Della has been involved with drafting and passing legislation that impacts families, children, and women. She is specifically interested in furthering marriage equality and reproductive health care rights for women.

For her tireless work in support of her state’s public library services, Rep. Belatti earned the Friends’ Mahalo Award. In addition, the former teacher was named a co-winner of the Amy C. Richardson Award in 2002.

To learn more about Della, see her page at the Hawaii State Legislature.

 

Bertram Nelson: Teacher, principal, and Civil War veteran

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New York City teacher and principal Nelson Bartram served valiantly in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

Many hardworking educators have served their country well during times of war. One of these was Nelson Bartram, a teacher and principal who fought during the Civil War on the Union side.

Nelson was born in Westport, New York, on January 7, 1832. While still a child his family relocated to Manhattan. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Nelson was working as a teacher managing a night school on Nineteenth Street. At the same time, he was employed as a principal at the public school on West Twenty Fourth Street.

When the War Between the States broke out, Nelson mustered into service with the Seventeenth Infantry as a captain, Company B, on May 22, 1861. He was promoted to major of the regiment in December of that year, and lieutenant colonel in May, 1862. He mustered out of service with the regiment in June, 1863. He was then appointed lieutenant colonel of the new 15th New York Cavalry. In September, 1863, he resigned that post to accept a commission as colonel of the 20th US Colored Troops (USCT) organized on Riker’s Island in February, 1864. While serving in the military, Nelson was a witness to all the major engagements that the Army of the Potomac fought in until December 1863. This Chalkboard Hero mustered out with 20th USCT in October, 1865.

After the war, Nelson went to work as a clerk in the New York Customs House in 1870, and was the Deputy Collector there until his passing on December 25, 1886, in New York City. On Sept. 26, 1900, a bronze statue was erected in his honor at Port Chester, New York.

To learn more about this heroic teacher and US veteran, see this article published by Adventures in History.

Covid-19 claims life of South Carolina teacher Jackqueline Lowery

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Sadly, we report that middle school science teacher Jackqueline Lowery of Darlington, South Carolina, succumbed to Covid-19 on Sept. 18, 2021. Photo credit: Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home.

With great sadness we report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Jacqueline Lowery, a middle school teacher from Darlington, South Carolina, succumbed to the disease on Sept. 18, 2021. She was just 28 years old.

The fallen educator was a graduate of Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology, where she graduated in 2011. While a student there, Jackqueline was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor’s Society. In addition, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the prestigious Heart of The Phoenix Award.

After her high school graduation, Jackqueline continued her studies at Francis Marion University. While there, she participated in several organizations. She was elected Vice President of the Student Government Association, the President of the Senate, the Vice President of the National Pan Hellenic Council, the Treasurer of The Award Winning Francis Marion YGB Gospel Choir, and the Chaplain and Treasurer of the Esteemed Xi Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In May 2016, Jackqueline completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Literature. She was also working on her Master’d degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix at the time of her passing.

Once she completed her education, Jackqueline inaugurated her career as a teacher at Darlington Middle School in Darlington County School District. She taught science to seventh graders and also served her school as the Head Volleyball Coach. According to those who knew her, Jackqueline had a passion for each and every student that she encountered, and she believed that every life mattered.

Jackqueline had declined to get a vaccination because she was breast-feeding her nine-month-old son and was unsure how the vaccination would affect her child.

Jeannie Ritter: The Sp Ed teacher that became Colorado’s First Lady

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Jeannie Ritter, a former Special Education teacher, also served as the First Lady for the state of Colorado. During her tenure, she championed mental health awareness and reforms. Photo credit: Rose Community Foundation.

Many fine educators also serve their communities as public servants. One of these is Jeannie Ritter, who once served her state as the First Lady of Colorado, and a champion for mental health awareness and reforms.

Jeannie was born on June 14, 1958, in Arlington, Virginia. As the daughter of a US Navy Captain, the young girl moved frequently. She spent portions of her childhood in Texas, Georgia, California, Washington, Rhode Island, and North Carolina. She settled in Colorado in 1972. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

As a young woman, Jeannie served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia and later returned to Africa along with her husband as Catholic missionaries. She is also a former flight attendant and teacher. Her career as an educator spanned ten years, and she taught Special Education for students will severe challenges in Denver Public Schools.

In 2006, Jeannie’s husband, Bill Ritter, was elected Governor of Colorado on the Democratic ticket, and Jeannie became the state’s First Lady. She served in this capacity from Jan. 9, 2007, until Jan. 11, 2011. During her tenure, Jeannie helped raise awareness regarding mental health issues, confessing that her perspective on mental health was influenced by her training as a teacher for emotionally disturbed children and also by having an older sister who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Since her husband left office, Jeannie has remained active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Depression Center, CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation), Rose Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Colorado Coalition for Parity, the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, SIM Advisory Board, and Rocky Mountain PBS Board.

Viola Ruffner: The teacher that influenced Booker T. Washington

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Vermont school teacher Viola Knapp Ruffner became a great influencer and supporter of forward-thinking academic and civil rights activist Booker t. Washington. Photo credit: Find a Grave.

It is no secret that dedicated educators influence the lives of many successful historical figures. One of these was Viola Knapp Ruffner, a school teacher who greatly influenced civil rights activist Book T. Washington.

Viola was born in February, 1812, in Arlington, Vermont. As a young girl she attended Bennington Academy in Bennington, Vermont. Once she earned her education, Viola taught in North Carolina and New Jersey. Later she established her own school, but when she became too ill, she accepted a position as a governess to General Lewis Ruffner, a widowed slat and coal mine owner in Kanawah County West Virginia. The general was a community leader, and even served in the Virginia General Assembly. In 1843, Viola married the General.

Viola had a reputation for being hardworking, conservative, and an exacting mistress, and sometimes had difficulty keeping household help. However, these attributes appealed to a young Booker T. Washington, who became a worker in her household following the Emancipation. In addition to becoming her employee, the teenager also became Viola’s private student. When he left her empty, Viola encouraged Booker to pursue further education. He professed a deep respect for her all his life, and Viola and her husband were staunch supporters and benefactors of Booker in his efforts to secure greater educational opportunities and political rights for African American citizens.

Booker and Viola remained good friends until her death at age 91 on December 5, 1903, in Louisville, Kentucky. She is interred at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.