Tag Archives: African American Teachers

Roberta Sheridan: First Black teacher in Baltimore public schools

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Many fine educators have worked tirelessly towards advancing the cause of hiring African Americans as public school teaches. One of these is Roberta Sheridan. She was the first African American to teach public school in Baltimore, Maryland.

Roberta was born in Baltimore County, Maryland. The exact date of her birth is unknown, but it is believed she was born in 1864. As a young girl, she attended the segregated schools in her home town.

When she grew up, Roberta dedicated herself to the teaching profession. As an African American teacher during the age of segregation, Roberta faced difficulties finding employment. Despite discrimination, records describe her teaching career from 1883 until her death in 1918. She was an avid supporter of the movement to garner government support of education for African American children in Baltimore. Prior to 1867 African American children were educated largely in churches, private schools, or free schools organized by the American Missionary Association and the Association for the Improvement of Colored People. When these schools were turned over to Baltimore City in the fall of 1867 students were taught exclusively by white teachers.

We know that Roberta taught in school in Baltimore County between 1882 and 1888. In 1888, she secured a position at the Waverly Colored Public School. In 1889, after a heated debate over allowing African American teachers to work in public schools in the city, she transferred to School #9, where she became a member of the first staff of teachers to work at that school.

While teaching at Waverly, Roberta met fellow teacher George W. Biddle. She left the classroom to marry him. By the time two years had elapsed, Roberta had given birth to a daughter and left her husband because of spousal abuse. After her divorce, Roberta returned to the classroom. She taught at School #108 until she passed away in 1918 following a brief illness.

To read more about Roberta Sheridan, click on this link to Archives of Maryland: Biographical Series.

Khalif and Victoria Rasshan found African American Museum of Beginnings

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After they retired, educators Khalif and Victoria Rasshan founded The African American Museum of Beginnings (TAAMB) in Pomona, California. Photo credit: TAAMB.

Retired educators often become involved in projects that improve and enrich their community. This is certainly true of Khalif and Victoria Rasshan, a married couple who are both retired teachers from the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) in Pomona, California. The pair established, curate, and run an African American museum in their home town of Pomona.

The African American Museum of Beginnings (TAAMB) is a community museum that inspires and educates all who are interested in the history, culture, and arts of Africans and African Americans. The museum offers exhibits, programs, and community engagement. The collection includes information dating back from 6,000 BC to the present. In addition, ancient artifacts and little-known African contributions are on full display. The Rasshans founded the museum in 2011 after they retired following more than three decades in the teaching profession. The couple credits Gloria Morrison and Alma Morrison Rahmaan for the inspiration for the museum. In the early 1990’s, the Morrison sisters called for relevant cultural education for their children.

Khalif was born in Los Angeles and raised in Compton, California. He graduated from Garey High School in Pomona in 1969. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California, in 1973. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa in 1977. He was employed as a high school English and Social Studies teacher in the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) from 1976 to 2010, a total of 34 years. Victoria graduated from Centennial High School in Compton, California, and, like her husband, studied at La Verne University. She is a retired elementary teacher from PUSD. In 1969, Victoria was honored as her District’s Teacher of the Year.

To learn more about the TAAMB and to visit the museum website, click on this link to www.taamb.org.

 

Covid claims life of science teacher Dr. Cathy Falkner of Texas

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With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021. Photo credit: Killeen Independent School District.

With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Cathy Falkner, a dedicated and talented educator from Killeen, Texas. She succumbed to Covid-19 on January 7, 2021, following a lengthy hospitalization.

Cathy was born on March 8, 1973, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a young girl, she attended Fort Wayne Community School. In 1991, she graduated fourth in her class from Northside High School. All throughout her life, her family membes say, Cathy exhibited a thirst for knowledge which made her an avid reader and scholar.

Once Cathy earned her high school diploma, she enrolled at DePauw University, a private school of higher learning located in Greencastle, Indiana. Later she graduated with honors from Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, as a pre-med major. She earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.

After earning her medical degree, Cathy changed her emphasis from medicine to teaching science. She became a science teacher at first at Killeen’s Crossroads High in Coperas Cove, Texas, and then Ellison High School in Killeen, where she spent the last three years of her teaching career.

Despite the fact that her teaching career was short, the fallen educator was an inspiration to many. “The students and staff of Ellison High School will remember the positive impact she made on their lives during the three years she was on campus,” expressed District spokesperson Taina Maya. “Despite the illness, Ms. Falkner’s main concern was for her students and their continued success in her class. Her dedication educating students will be greatly missed,” Maya continued.

To learn more about Dr. Cathy Falkner, see this obituary published by McDowell Funeral Home.

CA’s Romaine Washington: Educator and acclaimed poet

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Many talented classroom teachers also find notoriety as authors. One of these is Romaine Washington, a California educator who has earned acclaim as a poet. (Photo credit: www.romainewashington.com)

Many talented classroom teachers also find notoriety as authors. One of these is Romaine Washington, a California educator who has earned acclaim as a poet.

Romaine was born and raised in San Bernardino in Southern California. As a latch key kid afflicted with asthma, she spent many after-school hours reading. And even as a youngster, her gift for poetry earned special attention from her teachers.

As an adult, Romaine earned her Bachelor’s degree in French from California State University, San Bernardino. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. She is a fellow of the Inland Area Writing Project (IAWP), a program that offers teachers additional training in instructional practices for writing sponsored by the University of California, Riverside.

After earning her degrees, Romaine worked as a high school teacher. It was in her first year that she completed the IAWP program. “I was invited back to be a workshop presenter and then a facilitator for the summer program,” she recalled. “For two years, I was poet-in-resident,” she continued. She also accepted a position to teach as an adjunct in the Cultural Language and Diversity Program  at her alma mater, Azusa Pacific. In all, her career as an educator has spanned over 20 years.

Romaine has published two books of poetry, including Sirens in Her Belly (2015) and Purgatory Has An Address, which is due to be released in April of this year. Her work has been published in a wide variety of anthologies and periodicals, including San Bernardino Singing, Lullwater Review, and Cholla Needles. She also contributes to the Inlandia Institute, an organization that offers creative writing classes for adults in the Inland Empire of Southern California. In addition, she has presented her work in a wide variety of venues from National Poetry Slam, National Public Radio, and her local radio station KPFK.

To learn more about Romaine, see her website at  www.romainewashington,com.

Ohio’s Norma Marcere: African American trailblazer

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Norma Marcere of Canton, Ohio, was a trailblazer in her community. Photo credit: www.cantonrep.com

I enjoy sharing stories about African American teachers who have overcome obstacles to become trailblazers in their community. Norma Marcere of Canton, Ohio, was one such teacher.

Norma was born on Oct. 21, 1908, in Canton, Ohio. As a young girl, she attended Canton McKinley High School, where she graduated in 1926. As soon as she graduated, Norma enrolled at Kent State Normal University. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Counseling.

Norma applied for a teaching position in her home town, Canton, but her application was denied because of she was African American. However, she was able to gain employment as an English teacher at Edmund A. Junior High School in the Massillon City School District in the neighboring city of Massillon. Later she accepted a position as a counselor and school psychologist in Akron City Schools.

In 1976, Norma retired from the teaching profession and penned two autobiographies. One was entitled Round the Dining Room Table and the other was entitled The Fences Between. In 1994, the events depicted in these books were re-written into play format which was performed before an audience of 12,000 people.

In 1979, the former teacher founded the Project for Academic Excellence, a weekend program that offered tutoring and assistance to underachieving students. The program evolved into the STRIVE (Study, Think, Read, Investigate, Volunteer, and Excel) program, which helped students deal with social issues and develop personal responsibility.

For her work in the classroom, Norma earned many accolades. She was named the Junior League Woman of the Year in 1973. Walsh University gave her an honorary doctorate in 1980. In 1991 she garnered the Norma Award, an honor named after Norma Sigler Atkins Rowlands. In 1998, the Office for Black Catholic Ministries of the Diocese of Toledo bestowed their Sister Thea Bowman Medallion on Norma. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1985.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away from natural causes on Aug. 10, 2004. She was 95 years old. She is interred at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Canton, Stark County, Ohio.