Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Jordan Harris: Teacher and member of PA House of Reps

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Former languages teacher Jordan Harris now serves in the Philadelphia State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Pennsylvania State House of Representatives

Often accomplished classroom teachers make successful politicians. One of these is Jordan A. Harris, a Philadelphia school teacher who currently serves in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives.

Jordan graduation from Philadelphia’s John Bartram Motivation High School in 2002. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Governmental and Political Affairs from Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania, in 2006. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Cabrini College in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, in 2008. He has also done work towards his PhD in Educational Leadership at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Jordan taught school for several years in the Philadelphia Public Schools.  He was employed as a languages teacher at Union Area High School located in New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. While there, he was instrumental in designing Slam Dunk, a summer program that assisted over 600 high school students to meet credit requirements for graduation.

In 2013, Jordan was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represents the 186th District. For the 2017-2018 legislative session, he was elected to the Chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. He is also part of the Career & Technical Education Caucus, the Community College Caucus, and the Early Childhood Education Caucus. elected, Majority Whip (January 3, 2023-February 28, 2023); elected, Majority In 2023, Jordan was elected the Majority Whip, and he has also served as the Appropriations Chair since 2023. In addition, he is a member of the Council of Trustees for Millersville University.

In his effort to serve young people, Jordan has worked as the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Youth Commission, where he used his influence to improve conditions for  the city’s youth and young adults. In this office, Jordan was able to extend the hours of the city’s recreation centers and create alternative activities. In addition, Jordan has served as the President of the Board of Directors at Lincoln Day Educational Center, the oldest continuously operating African American Day School in the country. And he has  served as a Member of the Board of the Hardy Williams Education Fund and the Christian Street YMCA.

For his efforts, the former classroom teacher has won many accolades. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Magazine. He was also honored with Odunde 365’s 2017 Community Service Award for Positively Impacting Lives.

Educator Mary Lou Godbold was also a successful politician

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Elementary school teacher Mary Lou Godbold served in the Mississippi State Senate during the late 1950’s. Photo credit: Find a Grave

Many outstanding classroom teachers have also had successful careers as politicians. One of these is Mary Lou Godbold, an elementary school teacher from Mississippi who also served in her state’s Senate.

Mary Lou was born on Oct. 15, 1912, in Pike County, Mississippi. As a young woman, she first attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. Later she transferred to Mississippi College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in 1934. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Mississippi. Once she earned her degrees, Mary Lou became an elementary school teacher in the Mississippi town of Oxford.

In 1930, Mary Lou married Tillman Godbold, a teacher from Lincoln County.  In 1955, Tillman was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Mississippi State Senate. Sadly, on April, 1957, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away a few hours later. Mary Lou ran unopposed as his replacement in a special election to fill the seat. She won, and served in the State Senate until 1960. When she was sworn in, she became the third female state senator in her state’s history. She also served as the President of the Department of Classroom Teachers at the Mississippi  Education Association. She served in this role from 1957—1958.

Once she left office, she became a member of the faculty the University of Mississippi, where she taught courses in education for 20 years before retiring. She also served as the President of the Mississippi Education Association between the years of 1962—1963. In addition, she served a term as President of the Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), and another term as the state President of Delta Kappa Gamma. DKG is a professional organization that promotes the advancement of women educators in administrative positions.

After a long life spanning 95 years, Mary Lou passed away from natural causes on April 18, 2008. She is interred in Oxford Memorial Cemetery in Oxford, Mississippi.

Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil

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Final resting place of Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil. He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Photo credit: Find a Grave

There are many outstanding educators who have taught in American public schools. One of them is Jeremiah O’Neil, a teacher, principal, newspaperman, judge, and state assemblyman from Wisconsin.

Jeremiah was born on a farm in Utica, Wisconsin, on Jan. 13, 1866. As a boy, he attended public schools in Mt. Sterling. Once he graduated, he enrolled at the state normal school, now known as the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. There he completed the prescribed course of study in elementary education in June, 1893.

Once he completed his education, Jeremiah accepted positions as a teacher and a principal at grade schools in Kewaskum in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac County, where he worked from 1893 to 1896. He worked an additional five years as a teacher in Crawford County.

After Jeremiah relocated to Wauzeka, a nearby village in Crawford County, where he served two terms as president of the town council. In 1906, he ran on the Democratic ticket for a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Crawford County. He won the election and served one term as a member of that body.

In addition to his work as an educator and a politician, Jeremiah worked as the editor and publisher for the weekly newspaper known as the Kickapoo Chief from 1899 to 1913, when he was elected the county judge for Crawford County, and gave up his position at the newspaper. Jeremiah served as the county judge for a total of 34 years.

In addition to his work as the county judge, Jeremiah served as trustee of the Equitable Reserve Association for 20 years. He was the county Red Cross Chairman for 16 years and was a long time member of the Kiwanis Club and the county Historical Society. He also served as director of the Peoples State Bank since 1927 and was president of that bank for many years.

Jeremiah passed away on Nov. 19, 1947, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and was interred in Evergreen Cemetery there. He was 81 years of age.

 

Educator Betty Dean Anderson was also a Councilwoman and civic leader

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California science teacher and administrator  Betty Dean Anderson also served her community as a San Bernardino City Councilwoman and civic leader. Photo credit: Press Enterprise

Many outstanding educators also serve their communities diligently as community leaders and volunteers. One of these is Betty Dean Anderson, a science teacher, administrator, and leading figure who lived in San Bernardino, California.

Betty was born on Nov. 2, 1930, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the youngest of six children. As a young woman, she earned her degree in Biology  from Wiley College located in Marshall, Texas.

As soon as Betty earned her college degree, she inaugurated her career in education as a Biology teacher at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California. Eventually, she became a respected administrator, earning a reputation among her colleagues as an individual of fairness, intelligence, and commitment to students.

Betty also served her community as an elected Councilwoman for San Bernardino City, representing the 6th Ward. While in office, the retired educator championed affordable housing, job training for young people, and economic development that revitalized underserved neighborhoods.

In addition to her responsibilities as an educator and civic leader, Betty co-founded the Swans Club, a debutante program that has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to young African American women and provided hours of service to non-profit organizations within the Inland Empire. Betty was also involved with the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc., an organization that creates career pathways for young women and sponsors cultural opportunities within the Inland Empire. She also served on several civic and nonprofit boards and mentored generations of community leaders. Furthermore, Betty served as a volunteer usher for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Los Angeles. One of the highlights of her life was when she was able to attend both inaugurations of President Barack Obama as a guest of Rep. Joe Baca.

Sadly, Betty Dean Anderson passed away in 2025. She was 94 years of age.

 

MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren was once a Special Ed teacher

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was once an elementary school Special Education teacher. Photo credit: Harvard Law School

Many people have heard of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts in the US Senate and who was a presidential candidate in 2020. But did you know that this remarkable woman was once a Special Education teacher?

Elizabeth was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 22, 1949. She was in the second grade, she says, when she decided she wanted to become a teacher. “That was my dream,” she reveals. Unfortunately, when she was only 12 years old, her father was debilitated by a heart attack. Her mother had to take a minimum-wage job to support the family. Her mother was able to save the home they lived in from repossession, but there was no money left over for college tuition.

Fortunately, when she was a high school student, Elizabeth won a scholarship to George Washington University, which she attended for one year. Then she enrolled at a Texas university. “After I graduated from the University of Houston—a public university that cost $50 a semester—I taught special needs kids at a public school in New Jersey. The children I worked with were four to six years old and had some pretty significant challenges,” she remembers. “But because we had help from the federal government, they could get the kind of one-on-one care they needed—and a better opportunity to build a real, independent future,” she concludes.
In 2012, Elizabeth was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Massachusetts in the US Senate. She has served in this capacity since 2013. In the Senate, she is a member of the Special Committee on Aging; the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.