Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Retired teacher Ruth Rowan serves in the WVa House of Delegates

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Retired elementary school teacher Ruth Rowan works tirelessly as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. Photo credit: Vote Smart.

Many hardworking educators find second careers as politicians. One of these was Ruth Rowan, a retired elementary school teacher from Hampshire County, West Virginia, who also served in her state’s House of Delegates.

Ruth was born on September 12, 1948, in Pennsylvania. Her grandfather was a coal miner. Ruth’s ancestry runs deep in West Virginia. As a descendant of Frontier Ranger Doctor Llewellyn, her earliest forebears blazed a trail in the wilderness near the Forks of Cheat River in present-day Monongalia County, West Virginia.

As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree in Education from West Virginia University.

One she earned her education, Ruth taught elementary school in Hampshire County Schools. She also joined the West Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. In addition, Ruth is a member of the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Children’s Home Society and the Family Crisis Center.

In 2004, Ruth was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates on the Republican ticket. She defeated the embattled House Delegate Jerry Mezzatesta for his seat after he was embroiled in a political scandal in 2003 and 2004. The former teacher has represented the 57th District since December 1, 2004, and her term of office is due to expire in 2022. As a member of the WV House, Ruth works tirelessly on legislation to benefit children, education, seniors, veterans, health care, and infrastructure. She serves on the Education, Health and Human Resources, and the Senior Issues committees. She is the minority chair of Veteran’s Affairs, minority vice chair of women’s caucus, co-chair of Crimes against children and children and families.

To read more about Ruth Rowan, see this information provided by Vote Smart.

South Dakota’s Paula Hawks: Science teacher and politician

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Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher from South Dakota, has also served her community in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: South Dakota Public Radio.

There are many fine educators who have also demonstrated a knack for politics. One of these is Paula Hawks, a high school science teacher who has also served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Paula was born on Sept. 11, 1975, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was raised on a farm in Flandreau in her home state. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from South Dakota State University in 1998. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Technology for Education and Training from the University of South Dakota in 2008.

Paula began her professional career serving as a research assistant for South Dakota State University. She later worked as a residential instructor at SouthEastern Behavioral Healthcare. But then she discovered her niche in the field of education. Paula inaugurated her career as an educator by accepting a position as a teacher of Technology Integration in the West Central School District. She worked there from 2002 to 2012. During those ten years, she served as an Oral Interpretation Coach in the schools.

In 2012, the former science teacher was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 9 in the South Dakota House of Representatives. She held this position from 2013 to 2017. While in the South Dakota House, she served on the Committees for Education and Local Government. In addition, she was selected Minority Whip from 2015 to 2017. In 2019, Paula was elected her state’s party chair. Throughout her political career, her focus has been on seniors, farmers and ranchers, equality for women and education, and student loan debt.

Today, Paula works as a Career Services Coordinator and Student Success advisor at Southeast Technical Falls in Sioux Falls.

 

Teacher Geraldine Flaharty serves in Kansas House of Reps

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Geraldine Flaharty, a retired elementary teacher from Kansas, serves in her state’s House of Representatives. Photo credit: Public Domain.

Many talented teachers have also served their communities as politicians. One  example of this is Geraldine Flaharty, an elementary reading teacher from Kansas who also serves in her state’s House of Representatives.

A native of Kansas, Geraldine was born March 4, 1936, in Parsons. She currently lives in Wichita. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University in 1961. She completed the requirements for her Master’s in Education from the same school in 1971.

Geraldine worked as an elementary teacher for Wichita Public Schools from 1956 to 1957 and as a reading teacher at Oaklawn Elementary School in the Derby Public School District from 1966. At that time, she retired after teaching after 36 years.

This talented educator was elected as a Democrat to the Kansas State House of Representatives for District 98, serving Sedgwick County, Kansas. She served there from 1995 to 2013. During her stint as a politician, Geraldine served on the committees for Education; Health and Human Services; Aging and Long-Term Care; Economic Development and Tourism; and the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Benefits. One of her legislative acts was to support a bill that would restore professional status to retired teachers who return to work. “Representative Flaharty has been a tireless advocate for the people of Wichita,” House Minority Leader Paul Davis once said. “She has been a champion for job creation, good public schools, and fair taxation.”

Throughout her long career, Geraldine has donated her talents to a number of community organizations, including the American Association of University Women, the International Reading Association, the Kansas National Education Association, the Sedgwick County Zoo, and the Wichita Center for the Arts. Geraldine Flaharty: a true Chalkboard Champion.

Miguel Cardona: Former elem teacher, current US Secretary of Education

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Former fourth grade teacher Miguel Cardona of Connecticut now serves as the United States Secretary of Education. Photo credit: Miguel Cardona.

Many talented educators also make excellent politicians. One of these is Miguel Cardona, an elementary school teacher from Connecticut who is currently serving as United States Secretary of Education.

Miguel earned his Bachelor’s degree at Central Connecticut State University in 1997. He earned his Master’s degree in Bilingual/BiCultural Education from the University of Connecticut, and in 2011 he earned his Ph.D. in Education from the same institution. In addition, he completed the requirements for a certificate in the Executive Leadership Program.

Miguel inaugurated his career as a fourth grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, Connecticut. By 2003, when he was only 28 years old, he was named the principal of Hanover School, also located in Meriden. He was the youngest principal serving in the state. In 2012, Miguel garnered the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for his state and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the University of Connecticut’s NEAG School of Education. He has published several articles in such prestigious publications as the AASPA Perspective, the National School Boards Association, District Administration, and the Scholars Strategy Network.

From 2015 to 2019, Miguel served as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in his home town. He also worked worked as an Adjunct Professor of Education in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Connecticut. In August 2019, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont appointed Cardona as the state’s Commissioner of Education, the first Latino to ever serve in the position.

President Joe Biden nominated the former elementary school teacher for the post of US Secretary of Education, and a coveted seat in the President’s Cabinet. On March 1, 2021, Miguel Cardona was confirmed to the post. He was sworn into office the next day by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Way to go, Miguel!

Illinois’ Ola “Madge” Miller Green: Teacher, author, and politician

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Ola “Madge” Miller Green: Educator, author, and political. Photo credit: Findagrave.com

Many dedicated educators also make excellent authors and fine politicians. One of these was Ola “Madge” Miller Green, an Illinois school teacher who published an important school textbook and who also served her community in the Illinois Senate.

Ola was born on April 19, 1900, in Palestine, Crawford County, Illinois. As a youngster, she attended public schools in her home town. Once she graduated from high school, she earned her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Education from Indiana State University in Terra Haute.

Once she completed her education, Ola accepted a position as a school teacher in a public school in Palestine. Later she taught in Richmond, Indiana. While working as a teacher, Ola authored the book Through the Years in Indiana, published in 1954. The volume was widely used as a textbook in Indiana schools.

When Ola’s husband, Herschel S. Green, an Illinois State Senator, passed away in office in 1962, the veteran school teacher was appointed to serve the remainder of his term. Later she was elected on her own merit on the Republican ticket to a full term in the Senate. She served until 1965. Once she left office, Ola served as the postmistress for the Illinois Senate.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away December 11, 1989, in Springfield, Illinois. She was 89 years old. Her remains are interred at Hutsonville Cemetery in Hutsonville, Illinois. To read more about Ola “Madge” Miller Green, see her obituary published by Findagrave.