Louisa Lydia Alexander: Early African American educator

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Louisa Lydia Alexander

Tombstone of Louisa Lydia Alexander, early African American educator.

This year’s celebration of Black History Month gives us the opportunity to recognize African American individuals that may otherwise go unrecognized. Our country’s history is full of stories of amazing African American pioneer educators. One of these is Louisa Lydia Alexander, an educator from the South who was one of the first Black women to attend Oberlin College. .

Louisa was born at Mays Lick, Kentucky, on November 2, 1836. She was one of five daughters born to Henry and Lucy Alexander. Her father had been born a slave, but had been able to purchase his freedom when he was 21 years old. Once Henry was a free man, he became a merchant. Lucy and Henry worked tirelessly to earn money to send their daughters to school.

In 1950, Louisa was admitted to Oberlin College located in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin was the first American institution of higher learning to admit women students, and one of the first i the country to admit Black students. After studying for six years, Louisa completed the requirements for the Ladies Teaching course. She had earned her degree.

Following her college graduation, Louisa launched a lengthy career as an educator, teaching in numerous towns in the South, including Charleston, South Carolina; Marietta, Georgia; Henderson, Kentucky; Cumberland, Mississippi; Red Banks, Mississippi; Mays Lick, Kentucky; St. Mark, Alabama; and Giles Plantation, Mississippi.

This amazing pioneer educator passed away in Washington, DC, on August 18, 1911, at the age of 74. She is interred in Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio.

Educator and former football player Marcus Rucker of Texas

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Marcus Rucker

Educator and former football player Marcus Rucker of Houston, Texas.

There are many examples of excellent teachers who have also earned recognition as fine athletes. One of these is Marcus Rucker, a high school educator who also played professional football.

Marcus Bernard Rucker was born in El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, on April 20, 1985. As a teenager, Marcus attended Magnolia High School in magnolia, Arkansas, graduating in 2003. While in high school, Marcus played in the Arkansas All-Star game, and was twice voted Most Valuable Player by his team-mates. In his senior year he was named a finalist for the Landers Award, an honor given to the top high school player in the state. A well-rounded athlete, Marcus also participated in track and basketball. In addition to his success in athletics, Marcus earned membership in the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta society, and placed on the Honor Roll all four years.

After his high school graduation, Marcus enrolled at Rice University, a private research facility located in Houston, Texas. There he double majored in Economics and Sports Management. While there, Marcus played college football for the Rice University Owls.

In 2007, Marcus attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks of Seattle, Washington, but was not signed to play with the team. However, in September of that year, the 6′, 200-pound linebacker did sign with Canada’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he was placed on their development squad.

When his career as a pro football player was complete, Marcus enrolled in the Teach for America program. That was 2011. That year, he was assigned to teach high school in an inner-city school in Houston, Texas. Currently this amazing athlete and professional educator serves on the leadership team of YES Prep Public Schools, Eisenhower Senior High, in Houston.

Way to go, Marcus!

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!