Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Retired teacher Rita Hart served in Iowa State Senate

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Retired junior and high school English teacher Rita Hart served her community in the Iowa State Senate. Photo credit: Rita Hart.

Many fine classroom teachers also become successful politicians. One of these is Rita Hart, a retired junior and high school English teacher who also served in the Iowa State Senate.

Rita was born on May 5, 1956, in Charles City, Iowa. Her parents owned a dairy farm. As a young woman, she earned her Associate of Arts degree from North Iowa Area Community College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

Once she completed her education, Rita inaugurated her career as a public school teacher in the Bennett Community School in Bennett, Iowa. She  taught junior and high school English for two decades at rural high schools in Eastern Iowa.

In 2012, Rita was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Iowa state’s 49th Senate District. She was one of the rare politicians who enjoyed bi-partisan support. She served in her state’s Senate from 2013 to 2019. While there, Rita served on the Committees for Education; Veterans Affairs; Local Government; and Agriculture. She also served on the Early Childhood Iowa State Board; the Human Rights Board; and the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council.

In addition to her work as a teacher and politician, Rita has worked as an international exchange coordinator at the Education First Foundation for Foreign Study. She also became Director of Community Relations at Pangaea International Academy in 2019.  She also serves her community as a liaison for the Keep Iowa Beautiful branch of Hometown Pride Committees. And as if all that were not enough, Rita is also a talented singer, being in demand as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and other events.

Today, Rita, who is now 65 years old, lives with her husband on her family’s farm in Wheatland, Iowa. To learn more about this chalkboard Champion, click on this link to the University of Iowa Archives of Women’s Political Communication.

Teacher and former First Lady of New Jersey Mary Jo Codey

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Elementary school teacher and indefatigable women’s health activist Mary Jo Codey is the former First Lady of New Jersey.  Photo credit: Public Domain.

Many times gifted and active educators find themselves immersed in the world of politics. This is certainly the case with Mary Jo Codey, an elementary schoolteacher who once served as the First Lady of New Jersey. Mary Jo served her state during the administration of her husband, Governor Richard Codey, a Democrat who was in office from 2004 to 2006. Governor Codey took office upon the resignation of former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey.

Mary Jo was born on August 14, 1955, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and was raised in West Orange. After her high school graduation, she enrolled in Caldwell College, where she earned first her Bachelor’s degree and then her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. She has also earned certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) from Seton Hall University.

Once her husband took office, Mary Jo taught part time. Simultaneously she served as the ambassador for the Governor’s Book Club, which encouraged reading and literacy skills among elementary school children. This position gave her an opportunity to visit schools all over the state and read aloud to children. She also worked tirelessly to promote awareness for women’s mental health issues, particularly postpartum depression and breast cancer.

After her husband left office, Mary Jo accepted a teaching position at a private elementary school in West Orange, New Jersey.

Throughout her career, Mary Jo has contributed to a wide variety of causes. When her sons were young, she was active in Cub Scouts as a den mother and in her children’s school parent teacher associations. She is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Essex County, which honored her for her mental health advocacy efforts in 1995. Mary Jo also served as the first facilitator for a postpartum depression support group that was established at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 1994 and continues to operate today. Currently, she is an active member of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this biography of her at the official website for the state of New Jersey.

Mary Helen Garcia: Educator and member, New Mexico House of Reps

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Former educator Mary Helen Garcia also served in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Photo credit: Ballotpedia.

There are many examples of fine classroom teachers who also become successful politicians. One of these is Mary Helen Garcia, an elementary school teacher and principal from New Mexico, who also served in her state’s House of Representatives.

Mary Helen was born on July 14, 1937, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1960 and her Master’s degree in 1976, both from New Mexico University.

Mary Helen worked as a teacher first at Gadsden Public Schools, where she was employed from 1960 to 1961. From 1967 to 1992 she taught in Las Cruces Public Schools. She served as the Directory of Instruction for Las Cruces schools from 1993 to 1999. She also served as an elementary school principal in Las Cruces from 1984 to 1993, and from 1999. She is now retired from the teaching profession.

In 1996, this hardworking educator was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in her state’s House of Representatives. She represented District 34 there from 1997 to 2015. While in the House, Mary Helen was the Chairwoman for the Committee on Voters and Elections; a member of the Appropriations and Finance Committee; and a member of the Committees for Education and Business and Industry. She has also served as the Chair of the New Mexico District Democratic Party from 1997 to the present time.

In addition to her professional and political responsibilities, Mary Helen is a member of the National Education Association, the International Association of Reading, the Association of Curriculum and Instruction, the Dona Ana Arts Council, and the Pan American Round Table.

To learn more about this amazing educator, see the article about her published on Ballotpedia.

 

Teacher Sondra Erickson serves in Minnesota House of Reps

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Retired high school English teacher Sondra Erickson also serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Photo credit: www.sondraerickson.com.

Many excellent teachers achieve success in fields other than education. One of these is Sondra Erickson, a retired teacher who also served as a state legislator in the Minnesota State House of Representatives.

Sondra was born on March 2, 1942, in Ada, Minnesota. She was raised in Taft, North Dakota. She graduated from Hillsboro High School, and then from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, earning her Bachelor’s degree in English in 1964. She attended graduate school at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1968 to 1970.

After she earned her degrees, Sondra taught high school English at Princeton High School, a public school located in Princeton, Minnesota. Her career as an educator spanned 35 years.

Sondra was first elected to represent District 16A and 17A in the state legislature on the Republican ticket in 1998. She was re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, and served until 2008. Since 2013, she has represented District 15A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Sondra carried her interest in educational matters with her into her new position. She worked tirelessly on the Committees for Education Policy; Education Finance; Higher Education Finance and Policy; Ethics; and Taxes. In addition to her work in the legislature, the talented educator served on the Minnesota Board of Teaching from 1992 to 1997, bringing her “students first” philosophy to the table. Currently, Sondra says her focus is to open doors for high quality teachers of color.

In addition to her responsibilities as a legislator, Sondra is a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Civic Betterment Club, Central Minnesota Republican Women, and Farm Bureau.

To read more about Chalkboard Politician Sondra Erickson, see her website at www.sondraerickson.com.

West Virginia’s Ginny Starcher: Educator and politician

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West Virginia’s Ginny Starcher was an exemplary educator and also an accomplished politician. Photo credit: Charleston Gazette Mail.

In our country’s history, there are many examples of fine classroom educators who also became excellent politicians. One of these was Ginny Starcher, a teacher from West Virginia who also served in her state’s House of Delegates.

Ginny, whose birth name was Virginia, was born on February 23, 1930, in Wheeling, West Virginia. As a youngster, she attended schools in Cameron, West Virginia. Following her high school graduation she enrolled at West Virginia University. After earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, Ginny taught at Ripley High School in Ripley, West Virginia. Later she taught at Schenectady High School in New York.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Ginny also worked for the Federal government. For a while she was employed at the Central Intelligence Agency. She also worked for the Library of Congress. Later, she served as a commissioner for Jackson County in her home state. In 1986, Virginia was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates on the Democratic ticket. There she represented the 11th District, which included Jackson County. In 1988 she was elected to a second term, and once she served that term, she retired. Ginny was the first woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Jackson County.

In addition to her work as an educator and politician, Ginny also served as the President of Jackson General Hospital Auxiliary, as a member of the Board of the Jackson County Library, and as a member of the Board of the Health Department Board. She also belonged to the Pilot Club, the Jackson County Democrat Woman’s Club, and the Ripley Garden Club.

This accomplished educator and politician passed away on December 19, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, West Virginia, following a lengthy illness. She was 82 years of age. To learn more about Ginny Starcher, see this obituary published by Tribute Archive.