Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Educators who have also served in political positions, either appointed or elected.

Alice Burke: From teacher to trailblazing politician

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Elementary school teacher Alice Driscoll Burke of Massachusetts was the first woman in New England to serve as a city mayor. Photo credit: The Boston Globe

There are many excellent educators who have established a career in the political sphere, even becoming trailblazers. One of these is Alice Burke, a teacher who also served as the first woman mayor in New England.

Alice Driscoll Burke was born on June 19, 1892, in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. At only four years old, she became an orphan. After her parents passed away, she was raised by her paternal grandparents. As a teenager, she graduated from Northbridge High School, with honors, and in 1911 she earned her teaching degree at Fitchburg Normal School.

Once she completed her education, Alice accepted a teaching position in Hampden County, Massachusetts. She taught sixth grade in schools in the town of Westfield.

In the mid-to-late 1910s, Burke also taught n Westfield’s Americanization program, teaching immigrants about United States history, government, and culture to prepare for their citizenship tests. Ironically, she did this at a point in history when women were denied the right to vote.

Unfortunately, the Westfield School Committee adopted a policy of allowing only women who were single to be employed as teachers in their district, so Alice, who was married, lost her job. That fall, she was elected to a position on the Westfield School Committee.

After teaching for 20 years, Alice was elected mayor of Westfield, the first female to be elected mayor in the state of Massachusetts or in the region of New England. She served in the position from 1940—1943, from 1954—1955, and from 1958—1958. From 1968 to 1973, she served as a member-at-large of the Westfield City Council. However, her career as a politician was also marked by significant defeats. A Democrat, Alice ran unsuccessful campaigns for the Massachusetts Senate in 1944 and for the House of Representatives in 1946. With the passage of the 19th Amendment, Alice was eager to exercise her own right to vote.

Alice Burke passed away on May 14, 1974, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was 81 years old. To learn more about this remarkable educator and politician, click on this link to a biography about her published by the Historical Journal of Massachusetts.

Aaron Fussell: NC educator, legislator, and Bronze Star recipient

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North Carolina teacher, legislator, and World War II veteran Aaron Fussell earned the Bronze Star for his war-time service. Photo credit: Find a Grave

Many fine educators have also served our country in the military. Many more have served their community in public office. Aaron Fussell, a teacher from North Carolina, has done both.

Aaron was born on July 5, 1923, in Rose Hill, North Carolina. In 1940, he graduated from Rose Hill High School. The following summer, he worked for his uncle in Laurinburg, where he did the bookkeeping and handled the payroll. Next, Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina. He also completed post-graduate courses at North Carolina State University and Duke University. While in college, Aaron played basketball, baseball, and tennis, a game at which he especially excelled.

During World War II, Aaron served his country as a corporal in the US Army. He was among the troops that comprised the 203rd Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, when they landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy in June, 1944. Later, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In fact, Aaron earned a Bronze Star for fighting in 318 continuous days of combat.

Once the war was over, Aaron became a teacher and coach at Elm City High School in 1946. He worked his way up the ranks, first as an Assistant Principal at Whiteville High School, then as the Principal of Millbrook High School in 1953, and finally as the Superintendent of Wake County Schools in 1957. He held that position until 1976, during which time he ensured the integration of the school district. In all, Aaron’s career as an educator spanned 31 years.

In addition to his work as an educator, Aaron was elected on the Democratic ticket to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He served in that body from 1978 to 1994, a total of 16 years. In this position, he supported many bills for improved education, including a state Basic Education Plan and a statewide curriculum which was adopted in the 1980s. In addition, the former teacher supported a mandatory seatbelt law and statewide watershed protection.

Teacher, politician, and veteran Aaron Fussell passed away on July 7, 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 91 years old.

Ben Grussendorf: Accomplished Social Studies teacher and politician

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Government and social studies teacher Ben Grussendorf served ten terms in the Alaska State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Anchorage Daily News

Many talented educators also make superb politicians. This is certainly true of Ben Grussendorf, a social studies teacher from Alaska who served in his state’s House of Representatives.

Benjamin Franklin Grussendorf was born on February 23, 1942, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. As a young boy, he enjoyed idyllic summers at the family’s cabin on Pokegama Lake. He often referred to those times as his “Tom and Huck days.”

After his graduation from high school in Grand Rapids, Ben enrolled at the University of Minnesota. There he earned first his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and then his Master’s degree in Political Science Education. In 1966, he moved to Alaska, where he accepted a position as a government and social studies teacher at Sitka High School. He also taught political science at Sitka Community College.

The accomplished educator entered politics in 1971 when he accepted a position on the Sitka Charter Commission. That experience led him to a position on the Assembly for the new municipality. He also served as the Deputy Vice Mayor. He was elected Mayor of Sitka, a position he held from 1975-1979.  During these years, he was also the President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.

In 1981, Ben was elected to the Alaska State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. Altogether, Ben was elected to serve his constituents for ten terms—that’s 20 years—in the position. During these years, he also served three terms as the Speaker of the House.

In his spare time, Ben was an active member of many organizations. These included the Lions; the Sitka Chamber of Commerce; the Alaska Native Brotherhood; the Elks; the Moose; the Pioneers of Alaska; and the Sons of Norway.

This amazing teacher and politician passed away on June 17, 2011. He was 69 years old. To read more about him, follow this link to the obituary published in the Anchorage News.

Former educator LK Atwood served in the Mississippi State Legislature

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Former educator Louis Kossuth (LK)  Atwood also served two terms as a state legislator for the state of Mississippi. (Photo Credit: Mississippi State Legislature.

Many fine classroom teachers also make excellent politicians. One of these was Louis Kossuth (LK) Atwood. In addition to his work as an educator, LK served as a state legislator in the state of Mississippi.

LK was born into slavery in Wilcox County, Alabama, on Dec. 15, 1850. When he was only 18 months old, he was sold at a slave auction. He was purchased for $300 by his own mother, who then took him with her when they relocated to Ohio. As a young boy, LK went to school in Ripley, Ohio. In 1874, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. During these years, he was also ordained as a Presbyterian minister.

Once LK earned his degree, he accepted a teaching position in Bolton, Mississippi. Later he studied law and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1879. He then opened his own law practice in Bolton where he specialized in insurance law. In fact, he established precedents before the Mississippi State Legislature several times.

LK was elected on the Republican ticket to the Mississippi House of Representatives, where he represented Hinds County for two terms. The first was from 1880 to 1881, and the second was from 1884 to 1885. After he left the legislature, LK appointed to a position as a United States Internal Revenue Service collector where he worked until 1899. In addition, he was named a delegate to attend the Republican National Convention several times.

The former teacher also had experience in the business world. He founded the fraternal insurance company known as the Sons and Daughters of Jacob of America in 1883. He ran this organization until his passing. He also helped establish the  Southern Bank in Jackson and served as its president. He was president of the Mississippi Negro Bankers Association.

Sadly, LK passed away on Jan. 8, 1929, in Jackson, Mississippi. He was 78 years old. He is interred at Mount Olive Cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

Arkansas educator Jimmy Jeffress was also a capable politician

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Retired music educator Jimmy Jeffress served in both the state Arkansas House of Representatives and the State Senate. Photo Credit: Arkansas State Legislature

Many excellent educators have also experienced success in the political arena. One of these is Jimmy Jeffress, a retired teacher and politician from Arkansas. After he left the classroom, he served his community in both the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas State Senate.

Jimmy was born on Sept. 19, 1947, in Monticello, Arkansas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1971. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Northeast Louisiana University in 1986. In addition, he completed coursework through the Kennedy School of Government program at Harvard University.

After earning his degrees, Jimmy taught music education courses in Crossett Public Schools in Crossett, Arkansas. His career as an educator spanned 28 years, from 1971 through 1999. During those years, the outstanding educator garnered recognition for his work in the classroom. In both 1994 and 1998 Jimmy was named the Choral Director of the Year by the Southeast Arkansas Choral Directors Association.

In 1996, Jimmy was elected to the Arkansas State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There he represented District 24 from 1997 to 2000. Following his terms there, he served in the Arkansas State Senate from 2001 to 2009. While in the state legislature, he served as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He was also a member of the Committees for Children and Youth; Joint Budget; Joint Retirement and Social Security Systems; Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development; and Joint Energy. He also served as Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Athletic Trainers and as a member of the Task Force on Substance Abuse Treatment Services.

Jimmy earned honors for his work as a public servant, too. In 2001, he was chosen as the Legislator of the Year by the Arkansas Municipal League. In 2000, he garnered the Legislator of the Year Award from the Arkansas School Counselors Association.