The extraordinary Pauline Morton, from home ec teacher to Virginia Dept of Education.

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Pauline Morton

The extraordinary Pauline Cauthorne Morton, from home economics teacher to Virginia Department of Education.

There are many talented and hardworking educators that can be recognized during Black History Month. One of these is Pauline Cauthorne Morton, a home economics teacher from Virginia who dedicated her entire career to improving the lives of her students and the members of her community.

Pauline Cauthorne was born on February 19, 1912, in Dunnsville, Essex County, Virginia. As a young girl, she attended Ozena Public School, Dunnsville Public School, and the Rappahannock Industrial Academy. She earned her high school diploma in 1928.

After her high school graduation, Pauline enrolled at Virginia State University, which in her day was a historically Black college, located in Ettrick, Virginia. She completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1933. She also earned a Master’s degree in Education from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Pauline married Samuel Percell Morton, the principal of Hayden High School in his home town of Franklin, Virginia. She moved to Franklin and found a position as a home economics teacher there.

In 1947, Pauline accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Education, even though segregation was rampant in her state. Over the course of her employment there she became responsible for discipline throughout the state. She also implemented the federal school lunch program in her area. During these years Pauline chaired both the local school board and the community college board. She also became an officer in the Statewide Home Economics Association, and she assisted with the running of the Sesame Street Day Care center in her town.

In addition to her accomplishments as an educator, Pauline helped establish the Franklin chapter of the NAACP, became a member of the National Council of Negro Women, and served on the Board of Directors of Senior Services for Southeastern Virginia for 30 years.

For her many years of dedicated service, Pauline earned many accolades. She garnered the Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Award; the  Distinguished Service Award from the Franklin City Council; the Outstanding Service Award from the Virginia Community College System; and the Outstanding Service Award from the Local Advisory Board of Paul D. Camp Community College. Furthermore, in her honor, a scholarship has been established at Virginia State University.

Pauline retired from the teaching profession in 1974. She passed away on February 8, 2004. She was almost 92 years old. She was buried at Southview Memorial Park in Franklin.

Patricia Haddad: Former teacher and current Representative in the Massachusetts State House

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Patricia Haddad

Former middle school teacher and current Representative in the Massachusetts State House Patricia Haddad

There are many examples of fine classroom teachers who are also accomplished politicians. One of these is Patricia Haddad, a teacher from Somerset , Massachusetts who also serves in the Massachusett State House of Representatives.

Patricia was born on May 7, 1950, in Fall River Massachusetts. She attended Mount Saint Mary Academy, where she graduated in 1968. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State College in 1972. In 2010, Patricia garnered an honorary Ph.D. in Public Administration from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Patricia served 14 years as a middle school health and fitness teacher in Somerset, Massachusetts. She was also a member of the Somerset Recreation and Playground Commission, the Somerset School Committee, and the Somerset Democratic Town Committee.

In 2001, Patricia was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve the 5th Bristol District, located on the south coast of the state. Since her election, she has served as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education (20-04-2008), and the House Assistant Majority Whip (2008-2010). Currently, Patricia serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore of Massachusetts House.

For her dedication and hard work, Patricia has earned many accolades. She has earned the Women of Achievement Award from the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant; the Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the Teacher-Leader Award from the Reading Recovery Council of Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Bio-Ed Award from the Massachusetts Bio-Education Association; and the Public Service Award from the Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Schools.

Way to go, Patricia!

Retired educator and former Maine State Representative Charles Harlow

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Charles Harlow

Retired educator and former Maine State Representative Charles Harlow.

There are many examples of excellent educators who have achieved success in the political arena. One of these is Charles Harlow, a teacher who has also served as a state representative for his home state of Maine.

Charles was born in Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, on May 25, 1942. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1965 and his Master’s degree in Education in 1968, both from the University of Maine, a public research university located in Orono.

During his long career as an educator, Charles taught at Wells High School (1965-1966), Mexico High School (1966-1968), Mount Blue High School (1968-1971), and finally at Chererus High School (1972-2004).

While still teaching, Charles inaugurated his career as a politician with his election to the City Council for Portland, Maine. He served in that position from 1990 to 1999. During those years, Charles also served a term as the the city’s honorary mayor. In 2004, the former teacher was elected to the Maine House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. He served in that body representing the 116th District until 2010.

Charles Harlow suffers from health issues and is now retired, from both teaching and politics. He still lives in Maine.