Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Chet Blalock: Teacher, veteran, and Montana State Senator

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Many talented educators have also made a name for themselves in the political arena. Such is the case for Chester Merle Blalock, better known as Chet Blaylock, a history teacher, veteran, and state senator from Montana.

Chet was born on Novembr 13, 1924, in Joliet, Montana. He served his country well as a member of the United States Navy during World War II. He earned four medals for his service in the South Pacific.

After the war, this heroic veteran earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1951 and his Master’s degree in Education in 1957, both from the University of Montana. He then worked as a teacher and school administrator for over 30 years in both Laurel and Chinook, Montana. He retired from the teaching profession in 1991.

During his long career as an educator, Chet served as a delegate to the Montana State Constitutional Convention in 1972, and as a member of the Montana State Senate from Laurel, Montana. He believed that every Montana child was entitled to a free, quality education, a livable environment, a good job, and affordable health care. He a spent a lifetime pursuing that objective.

In 1996, Chet became the nominee for governor of Montana. He ran on the Democratic ticket against incumbent Marc Racicot.  Sadly, on October 23, 1996, on his way to a debate with his opponent less than two weeks before the election, the former educator passed away of a heart attack at Deer Lodge, Montana. He was 71 years old. Chet Blalock was cremated and his ashes interred at Rockvale Cemetery in Rockvale, Montana. In his memory, a scholarship in the amount of $600 has been established to be awarded to a full-time student at Montana State University at Billings.

Former teacher Rebecca Pringle serves as NEA President

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Former Pennsylvania middle school teacher and current President of the National Education Association Rebecca Pringle works tirelessly to improve conditions in schools for both teachers and students. Photo credit: NEA

A former Pennsylvania educator who now serves as the current President of the National Education Association works tirelessly to improve conditions in schools for both teachers and students. She is Rebecca Pringle, who has logged an extensive career as a middle school science teacher.

Rebecca was born in 1955 in Philadelphia.  As a young girl, she attended Philadelphia High School for girls, one of the city’s most prestigious magnet schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her Master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Once she completed her education, Rebecca taught middle school science in the Susquehanna Township School District for 28 years. In total, her career in the classroom spans 31 years.

Throughout the years she served as a classroom teacher, Rebecca also served in a number of roles in the NEA, an organization that currently serves three million members nationwide. Her first position was Secretary/Treasurer. In 2014, she was elected NEA’s Vice President. In 2020, Rebecca assumed the mantle of President. This position earns Rebecca the title of the highest-ranking African American female labor leader in America. In this role, the indefatigable union leader has worked tirelessly to limit federal testing requirements, increased funding for schools, greater equity for students, and to make teacher evaluation and accountability practices more fair.

For her work on behalf of fellow educators, Rebecca has earned many accolades. She is a recipient of the National Peace Medal for Leader of Educational Excellence; a recipient of the Black Women’s Roundtable Education Innovation & Social Justice Leadership Award from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; the Woman of Power Award from the National Action Network; and she was named Community Woman of the Year by the American Association of University Women. For her efforts on behalf of teachers nationwide, President Barack Obama selected Rebecca to be a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Her work on the Commission included addressing issues on teacher recruitment and retention, STEM access and opportunities, and college preparation and completion.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this biography of her published on the website of the NEA.

Idaho’s Bert Marley: Distinguished teacher, politician, and farmer

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Bert Marley, a long-time educator from Idaho, has also served in both his state’s Senate and House of Representatives. Photo credit: Bert Marley

Many fine educators also make dedicated politicians. This is true of Bert Marley, a high school teacher and farmer who has also served as a state senator in his home state of Idaho.

Bert was born on May 1, 1948, in Provo, Utah. As a young man, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in German from Idaho State University in 1973, and his Master’s degree in Education from Utah State University in 1996.

In 1984, Bert inaugurated his career as a teacher at Marsh Valley High School in Marsh Valley, Bannock County, Idaho. He instructed courses in Social Studies, German, World History, and mythology. His career there spanned 23 years. Many of his former students have said that this distinguished educator sparked their curiosity and thirst for knowledge. In addition to his work in the classroom,  since 1984 Bert has been a member of the Idaho Education Association (IEA). He even served as that organization’s Directory of Public Policy.

As a Democrat, Bert entered politics when he made a bid for a seat representing the 33rd District in the Idaho House of Representatives. He won the election, and served in that body from 1998 to 2001. He extended his career in politics when he was elected to the Idaho State Senate, where he served from 2001 to 2006. There he represented first the 33rd District, and then the 29th District. Bert then served as the Chair of the Idaho State Democratic Party, a position he held from 2015 to 2019.

As if all this were not enough, Bert also owns and runs a family farm in McCammon, Idaho. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article printed by the IEA.

Alaska teacher and capable politician Mary Becker

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Hardworking and dedicated educator and capable politician Mary Becker of Juneau, Alaska. Photo credit: Alaska Public Media.

Often hardworking and dedicated educators also make fine politicians. This is certainly the case with Mary Becker, a distinguished teacher and politician from Juneau, Alaska.

Mary graduated from Sitka High School, and then she enrolled Albertson College of Idaho, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

After earning her degree, Mary returned to Alaska, where she taught school from 1967 to 1997, a career that spanned 30 years. For her work in the classroom, Mary garnered recognition with the MacKennon Educational Excellence and Human Award.During those years, she served as the President, Chief Negotiator, Building Rep, Political Action Chair, and Grievance Chair for the Juneau Education Association. She has also been a long-time member of the National Education Association.

In addition to her work as an educator, Mary was elected to be a member of the Juneau School Board in 1998, a post she occupied for nine years. During her those years, she served the Board diligently as President, Vice President, and Clerk. Next, the retired educator served in the Assembly for nine years, from 2010 to 2019. During her time in the Assembly, Mary served terms as the city’s  Mayor and Deputy Mayor. In these positions, she served on many committees, including Finance, Committee of the Whole, Chair of the Lands Committee, and Chair of the School Facility Project Team. She was also the Liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, the Docks and Harbors Board, and the UAS Campus Council. From 2015 to 2016, the capable former teacher served as Interim Mayor of the city of Juneau.

In addition to this important work, Mary has been involved in many community improvement efforts. These include Juneau Poetry Out Loud, the Kids Voting Board of Directors, the League of Women Voters, the Olympic Torch Relay Committee, the Seward Statue Committee Co-Chair, the Social Services Advisory Board Chair, the Southeast Alaska Health Education Council, the Juneau Rotary, and the United Way of Southeast Alaska.

 

Arizona teacher Chris Ackerly served in state House of Reps

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Arizona teacher J. Christopher “Chris” Ackerly is a science and math educator from Tucson, Arizona, who also served in his state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: Amphitheater High School.

There are many hardworking educators throughout our country who have also achieved success as politicians. One of these is John Christopher “Chris” Ackerly, a science and math educator who was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.

Chris was born and raised in Arizona, primarily in the Tucson area. He graduated from Green Fields High School in 1990. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science from Northern Arizona University in 1999.

After 18 years as an educator, Chris made a bid for elected office. He was elected on the Republican ticket to represent District 2. He served there from 2015 to 2017. While in the Arizona House of Representatives, Chris served as the Chair of the Government and Higher Education Committee; he was a former member of the Committee on Children and Family Affairs; and he was a former member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As a legislator, Chris worked diligently for increased school funding, greater support for more resources for the classroom, an increase in structured sober living homes, and greater support for owners of mobile homes.

Once he left office, Chris returned to his position as a teacher of Physics and Mathematics at Amphitheater High School in Tucson. He has also taught Statistics and Geometry, and K-8 Science and Technology. In addition, Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Education Association.

To read more about Chris, see his website at Amphitheater High School.