Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Teacher Anne Burnes McDonald also served in the Connecticut State House of Reps

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Former sixth grade teacher Anne Byrnes McDonald served in the Connecticut State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Boston.com News

Many fine classroom teachers are also distinguished politicians. One of these is Anne Byrnes McDonald, an elementary school teacher from Connecticut who also served her community in the State House of Representatives.

Anne was born in 1933 in Syracuse, New York. As a young woman, she attended Le Moyne College, a private Jesuit college located in DeWitt, New York. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Later she earned her Master’s degree in Education from Syracuse University.

Once she earned her degrees, Anne accepted a position teaching sixth grade, first in Syracuse and then in Ardsley, New York. In addition to teaching children in public schools, she instructed adult learners who were learning English as a second language. After she relocated with her family to Stamford, Connecticut, Anne was elected to the Stamford Board of Education, where she served from 1979 to 1986.

Anne inaugurated her career as a politician in 1990, when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Connecticut House of Representatives. There she represented District 145 from 1990 to 2003. In addition to representing the Cove, Glenbrook, and East Side of Stamford in the General Assembly, the former educator also served as the House Chairman of the Public Health Committee and the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee.

Throughout her life, Anne volunteered for a number of local and statewide organizations. She served eight years on the City of Stamford Commission on Aging; three years on the Connecticut Advisory Board on Aging; four years on the Stamford Housing Authority; and four years on the Housing Development Fund Board. She also served four years on the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

In 2003, Anne was forced to resign from her position in the State House and withdraw from her philanthropic positions because of failing health. Sadly, she succumbed to cancer on Oct. 3, 2007. She was 74 years old.

Patricia Morehead-Morris: Nebraska teacher and state Senator

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Many talented educators have also served their communities in public office. One such teacher is Patricia Morehead-Morris, a public school teacher who also served in the Nebraska legislature.

Patricia was born July 21, 1936, in Falls City, Nebraska. As a young woman in 1954, she attended first MacMurray College, a private college located in Jacksonville, Illinois, and then the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1958.

Once she earned her degree, Patricia moved to Beatrice, a small town located about 45 miles south of Lincoln, Nebraska. There she taught in elementary and secondary schools, both public and private.

In 1982, Patricia was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. She represented District 30, which covers Gage County and southeastern Lancaster County, between the years from 1983 to 1988.

In addition to her work in the legislature, Patricia was involved in many philanthropic organizations. She belonged to the Gage County Democratic Women; the Philanthropic and Educational Organization; the Blue Valley Home Economists; the American Trap Shooting Association; and the sorority Upsilon Omicron, Chi Omega.

 

 

English teacher Brittney Miller also serves in the Nevada State Assembly

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Middle School English teacher Brittney Miller also serves her community in the Nevada State Assembly. Photo Credit: Brittney Miller

Many talented classroom teachers also serve as successful politicians. One of these is Brittney Marie Miller, a middle school English teacher who currently serves in the Nevada State Assembly.

Brittney was born in 1974 in Detroit, Michigan. Her father, a former Marine who served in Viet Nam, was a police sergeant in Detroit. Her mother, a former civilian employee for the US Army Tank Arsenal, was a registered nurse.

Brittney earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1996 in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University located in University Center, Michigan. In 1999 she earned her first Master’s degree, in Public Administration from Oakland University located in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. In 2011 she earned her second degree, in Teaching from Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, Nevada.

For several years after earning her degrees, Brittney channeled her considerable energy in prisoner re-entry programs, training programs, and employment services. But for the past 11 years, she has been teaching Language Arts at Canarelli Middle School in the Clark County School District in Nevada. “After years developing programs in public schools, work force development, and prisoner re-entry, I knew that becoming a teacher was one more way I could serve,” Brittney once said. “Indeed, I reduced my salary by over a third when I became a teacher, but that’s how passionate and devoted I am to service. I believe strongly in education. To build a future, we must invest in our children first,” she added.

In 2017, Brittney was elected to represent District 5 in the Nevada State Assembly, where she still serves. She succeeded Republican Assemblyman Erv Nelson who resigned from his post to run for the Nevada State Senate. As a representative, Brittney is a member of four committees: Education; Corrections, Parole, and Probation; Health and Human Services; and Judiciary.

To learn more about this accomplished Chalkboard Champion, check out this interview by Nevada Public Radio or her website at Miller4ThePeople.

Erin Oban, a former ND math teacher, appointed her state’s Director for Rural Development

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Former North Dakota math teacher Erin Oban now serves as the State Director for her state’s office of USDA Rural Development after previously serving in the ND State Seante. Photo Credit: US Dept. of Agriculture

Many gifted classroom teachers also make excellent lawmakers. One example of this is Erin Oban, a former junior high school math teacher who has been appointed the State Director for the office of USDA Rural Development. Previously, she served in the North Dakota State Senate.

Erin was born July 25, 1982, in Ray, North Dakota. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education at the University of Mary. After her college graduation, she accepted a position as a mathematics and technology teacher at Cathedral School in Bismarck, North Dakota. There she had a reputation among her 7th and 8th grade students for being genuine, hardworking, and kind. “I think one of her most admirable qualities is her authentic support. I never felt uncomfortable asking a question or embarrassed to speak up, because she always made me feel like my contribution to the class was important and appreciated,” remembered former student Danielle Finn. “Most importantly, (Mrs.) Oban took the time to listen to me whenever I wanted to be heard. She would come early to answer questions and stay late for those who needed help. She truly wanted all of her students to succeed, not just at school, but also in life,” Danielle concluded.

In 2014, Erin was elected to the North Dakota State Senate on the Democratic ticket to represent the 35th District. She served there from Dec. 1, 2014, to March 27, 2022. While in the Senate, her interest in matters relating to education did not decrease. The former classroom teacher served on the Education Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Judicial Committee, and the Committee for Employee Benefits Programs. She also served as the Chairman of the Education Policy Committee and, from 2021 to 2022, as the Assistant Minority Leader and a member of the Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Education Coordination Council. In addition to her legislative role, Erin worked as the Executive Director of Tobacco Free North Dakota, a nonprofit organization. She helped pass a bill banning e-cigarette sales to minors.

Erin resigned from the North Dakota State Senate when President Joe Biden appointed her State Director for her state’s office of USDA Rural Development. Her employment there began March 28, 2022. There she will oversee operations that support economic development and that offers programs, loans, grants, and technical assistance for rural residents, communities, and organizations.

 

Middle school teacher Helen Riehle served in Vermont Senate and House

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Former middle school teacher Helen Riehle also served in both the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives. Photo Credit: SupportVTDigger

Many fine educators have also served as capable politicians. This is true of Helen Riehle, a former middle school teacher from Vermont who also served as a member of both her state’s Senate and House of Representatives.

Helen was born on May 5, 1950, in Somerville, New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in 1972. After earning her degree, Helen worked as a middle school teacher from 1975 to 1985.

In 1992, Helen was elected on the Republican ticked to the Vermont House of Representatives. She served there from Jan. 1983 through Jan. 1993. She also served in the Vermont State Senate where she represented most of Chittenden County from Jan. 1993 through Jan. 2001. She then took on the role of Chair of South Burlington City Council, a position which she held until she was appointed by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin to serve in the State Senate a second time. During her second stint there, which spanned the dates of March of 2016 through Jan. of 2017, she filled the seat of Diane Snelling who left the position to head the Green Mountain State’s Natural Resources Board. As a legislator, Helen chaired the committees for Health and Welfare; Administrative Rules; and Health Access in both the House and Senate.

In addition to her work as a politician, Helen has experience as the Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in St. Albans and as the Executive Director of the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care. She has also been active on numerous non-profit and higher education boards in the Chittenden County region, including University of Vermont, Burlington College, and Vermont Public Television.

Today, Helen lives in Burlington, Vermont. She is 72 years old.