Retired educator and former Maine State Representative Charles Harlow

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.

Washington, DC’s, Dr. Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire

Lillian Lowery

Dr. Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire

I love to share stories about teachers who have accomplished remarkable achievements over the course of their careers. One of these is English teacher Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire. Originally from North Carolina, Lillian now hails from Washington, DC.

Lillian was born in Gastonia, Northampton County, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from North Carolina Central University in Durham. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She completed the requirements for her Ph.D. in Education and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Lillian inaugurated her teaching as a middle school English teacher at Gaston County Schools in Gastonia, North Carolina. Before long she relocated to Alexandria City Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia, then on to Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, Virigina, and then Fort Wayne Community School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With each new position, Lillian expanded her experience as an educator, serving as a high school English teacher, an assistant principal, minority student achievement monitor, a principal, and an area coordinator.

In 2004, Lillian was appointed the Secretary of Education in Delaware, and then as the Superintendent of the Christina School District in Newark, Delaware. While living in that state, she also served as the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. Next she moved to Maryland, where she served as the Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education.

In September, 2015, Lillian became the first President and Chief Executive Officer of FutureReady Columbus, a non-profit organization specializing in early childhood education located in Columbus, Ohio. In March, 2017, she was appointed Vice President for PreK-12 Policy, Research, and Practice at Washington, DC’s The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization working to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps in K-12 education.

For her work as an educator, Lillian has earned many prestigious awards. In 2015, the National Association of State Boards of Education honored her as the “Policy Leader of the Year.” This honor is awarded annually to a national or state policymaker in recognition of his or her contributions to education. Lillian has also garnered the Second Mile Award from the University of Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware’s Junior Achievement Award; the City of Fairfax Mayor’s Service Award; and the Outstanding Service Award from the City of Fairfax School Board. Lillian has also served on several organizational boards including, Delaware State University, edreports.org, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Dr. Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire.