Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Teacher and former CA legislator Patrick O’Donnell garners CalRTA award

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Educator and former California State Assemblemember Patrick O’Donnell was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Convention and Delegate Assembly in Los Angeles last week. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

Classroom teacher and former California State Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Convention and Delegate Assembly of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) which I attended in Los Angeles last week. At the convention, the former legislator garnered a prestigious Friends of CalRTA Award, given in recognition for his dedication to protecting the pensions of retired teachers, for improving the professional environment of classroom teachers, and for expanding educational opportunities for students. And he recounted his return to the classroom after serving eight years in the State Assembly. The address was realistic, but hopeful and humorous.

Patrick was born in Long Beach on Feb., 25, 1966. As a young man, he attended California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and his Master’s degree in Public Administration. He then spent nearly 20 years in the classroom as a high school History teacher in the Paramount Unified School District. While there, he helped create a program that established more instructional time for students, thereby improving graduation rates and qualifying more students for college admission.

Patrick inaugurated his career in politics in 2004 when he was elected to the Long Beach City Council. He served ten years in this position. In 2013, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the California State Assembly. He represented District 70, which includes the Los Angeles Harbor District, San Pedro, Long Beach, and Catalina Island. He served in the State Assembly from 2014 to 2022.

In office, Patrick served as the Chair of the Education Committee.In that role, he consistently advocated for increased funding for K-12 schools; advocated for better access to the core curriculum for English-language learners; expanded investments for school facilities; and sought additional funding for career technical and vocational education programs. “I know that kids need multiple paths to success,” Patrick declared. “Not every kid is going to a four-year university. Statistics bear that out. We need to provide them opportunity as well,” he continued.

He also championed efforts to help close the student achievement gap by securing funding to establish the CSU Center to Close the Opportunity Gap located on the campus of CSULB. In addition to the Education Committee, Patrick was also a member of the Assembly Committees on Transportation; Public Employment and Retirement; and Budget, including the Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.

Once he retired from the legislature, Patrick returned to his position as a history teacher at Paramount High School. The school serves grades 10 through 12.

 

Teacher Julie Plawecki served in the Michigan House of Reps

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Former science and math teacher Julie Plawecki also served her community in the Michigan State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Michigan State House of Representatives

Many excellent educators have also served their community in political office. Julie Plawecki, a science and math teacher from Michigan who also served in the Michigan State House of Representatives, is a fine example of this.

Julie was born on Aug. 27, 1961. As a youngster, she attended Warren Public Schools in Warren, Michigan. Once she graduated from high school, she enrolled at Michigan’s Oakland University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and General Science. She earned her teaching certificate from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

After completing her education, Julie worked  as a medical technologist. She married and became the mother of three daughters. She was also the leader of a Brownie troop and a school volunteer.

When she went into the teaching profession, Julie taught science, math, and religion in Catholic schools at both the secondary and elementary school levels. For ten years, she taught at St. Robert Bellarmine in Redford, Michigan. She also coached the school’s Science Olympiad team. In all, her career as an educator spanned 13 years. During that time, she was a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

In Nov., 2014, Julie was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the 11th District, which includes Garden City, Inkster, parts of Dearborn heights, Livonia, and Westland. Even though her term of office was short, she was still able to champion issues related to education, seniors, veterans, energy, health policy, campaign reform, and the environment. She also was involved in Project Dignity Outreach, a charitable group that feeds the homeless in Detroit every weekend.

Sadly, Julie passed away on June 25, 2016, after suffering a heart attack while hiking in Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. She was only 54 years old.

 

Sp ed teacher Connie O’Brien also served in the Kansas House of Reps

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Former special education teacher Connie O’Brien served four terms in the Kansas State House of Representatives. Photo: Kansas Legislature

Many fine classroom educators go on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Connie O’Brien, a former special education social studies teacher in Kansas, who was elected to serve in her state’s House of Representatives.

Connie was born on Oct. 12, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri. While she was a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Secondary Education from St. Mary College of Leavenworth in 1966. Once her education was completed, she was employed as a special education teacher in Basehor-Linwood schools, and as a substitute teacher in the Leavenworth and McLouth Districts.

Connie inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected on the Republican ticket to represent her state’s 42nd District in 2008. The 42nd District covers the western half of Leavenworth County, including Tonganoxie, Easton, and a portion of Leavenworth, as well as part of Douglas County, including Eudora.

Once elected, Connie served in the Kansas State House for four terms, from 2009 to 2017. While in office, she focussed her work on issues related to education, immigration, energy, and tax reform. She served as the Chair of the Committee on Children and Seniors, and as a member of the Committees on Elections; Energy and Utilities; and Local Government. She also served as the Vice Chair on the Committee for Veterans, Military Affairs, and Homeland Security.

Today, Connie serves as the President of the Leavenworth County Republican Women and the Vice Chair of her local County Party organization. At age 76, she is now retired, and she lives on her family farm in rural Tonganoxie, Kansas, with her husband, Edward.

Maryland teacher Mary Risteau was also an adept politician

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Elementary school teacher Mary Risteau served in both the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate. Photo: National Women’s History Museum

Many excellent educators have also served their communities in political positions. One of these is Mary Risteau, an elementary school teacher who was elected to both the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate.

Mary was born April 24, 1890, in Towson, Maryland. As a young girl, she attended Towson High School, where she graduated in 1907. In 1912, she earned her undergraduate degree from Towson University, which at that time was known as Maryland State Normal School. She also completed an advanced course of study in mathematics at Johns Hopkins University in 1917. In 1938, Mary earned her LLB degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. In 1917, Mary Eliza launched her career as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore County.

Mary Eliza inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1921, just one year after the 19th Amendment granted women with the right to vote. There she represented Hartford County from 1922 through 1926, and again from 1931 through 1935, and yet again from 1951 through 1955, a total of four terms. While in the House, she successfully worked for the establishment of Maryland State Teachers College at Salisbury, and she was appointed to the State Board of Education, where she served for 16 years. She also served on the Committees on Education; Agriculture; Libraries; and Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries.

Mary also served in the Maryland State Senate from 1935 through 1937. There she represented the 2nd District. While in the Maryland Senate, she became the Chairperson of both the Agriculture and Labor Committees, the Vice Chair of its Education Committee, and a member of the Senate Temperance Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Federal Relations Committee. In addition, she was a strong advocate for women’s rights. In fact, she was a member of both the National Order of Women Legislators and its state affiliate, the Maryland Women’s Legislation Group. Among many other organizations, she held membership in the League of Women Voters.

Sadly, Mary Eliza passed away in Jarretsville, Maryland, on July 24, 1978. She was 88 years old. In 1987, the former teacher was inducted posthumously into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-services Center in Bel Air, Maryland, was named in her honor.

To read more about Chalkboard Champion Mary Eliza Risteau, click on this link to Maryland’s Women’s Heritage Center.

Former Connecticut teacher Jahana Hayes now serves in the US House of Reps

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Former Social Studies teacher Jahana Hayes of Connecticut now serves in the US House of Representatives. Photo Credit: US Home of Representatives

Many talented educators have gone from the classroom into successful careers in politics. One of these is Johana Hayes, a former high school Social Studies teacher from Connecticut who currently represents her state in the US House of Representatives.

Jahana was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on March 8, 1973. Because her mother was a drug addict, she was raised by her grandmother, and they lived in public housing projects in Waterbury. Even though Jahana became a teen mother at age 17, she overcame her obstacles and worked hard in school. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Southern Connecticut State and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Saint Joseph. In 2014, she earned her Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Bridgeport School of Education. In 2015, she earned her certification in Intermediate Administration or Supervision from the State of Connecticut.

After earning her degree, Jahana accepted her first teaching position at Southbury Training School in Connecticut. Later she relocated to John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, where she taught Government and History. There she also served as the co-adviser of HOPE, a student service club and as the Chairperson of the Kennedy SOAR Review Board, a program for gifted students.

Jahana’s hard work in the classroom did not go unnoticed. In 2015, she garnered the John F. Kennedy Teacher of the Year award, and then the Waterbury School District Educator of the Year honors. In 2016, the teacher with the dazzling smile was named the state of Connecticut Teacher of the Year. That same year, President Obama recognized her as the US Department of Education’s National Teacher of the Year.

In 2018, Johana entered politics when she was elected to the US House of Representatives representing her state’s 5th Congressional District. She was re-elected in both 2020 and 2022. There she serves as the Chair on the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations; and she also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor; the Committee on Agriculture; the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education; and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Even though Jahana is a working US Representative, she is still a member of the National Education Association, and as a big supporter of labor unions, she is a former member of the Service Employees International Union 1199.