Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

William Spaulding: Teacher, politician, and dedicated public servant

Posted on by

Washington, DC’s William Spaulding: Exemplary teacher, engineer, accomplished politician, and dedicated public servant. Photo credit: Historical Council Photographs.

Many fine educators have also earned distinction in the political realm. One of these is William Spaulding, a teacher who was elected as a member of the inaugural Council of the District of Columbia when Washington, DC, earned home rule.

William was born on June 15, 1924, in North Carolina. William attended Howard University, a traditionally Black institution of higher learning located in Washington, DC. There he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Once he earned his degree, William taught school in DC public schools. His career there spanned from 1947 to 1952. He also taught at Howard University from 1950 to 1960. In addition, during that period he served as an engineer at the National Security Agency (NSA) from 1952 to 1974.

When Congress passed the District of Columbia home rule bill, the former public school teacher left his position with the NSA. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to a seat on the newly-formed DC Council, where he served from 1975 to 1987.

In 1980, William became a professor at the University of the District of Columbia, another historically Black college. He also served as the Chairman of the Fort Lincoln Foundation, a Board member of the Kidney Foundation, and a member of the American Heart Association. He also served as the Director of the Department of Administrative Services for the District of Columbia Court System.

In 2013, the University of the District of Columbia conferred upon William an honorary doctorate, in recognition of his nearly 60 years of “dedicated service to DC Public Schools and other organizations on behalf of the city’s youth, reflecting his unwavering support of education as a means of improving individual lives and the whole community.” To read the entire proclamation, see this link: Conferral of Honorary Degree.

One-time teacher and former MA State Senator John M. Quinlan

Posted on by

One-time high school teacher and former Massachusetts State Senator John M. (Jack) Quinlan. Photo credit: Public Domain.

American history abounds with stories of talented classroom teachers who also made a mark in politics. This is true of John M. Quinlan, a teacher who was elected as a member of the Massachusetts State Senate.

John was born on July 11, 1935, in Natick, Massachusestts. All his life he preferred to be called “Jack.” When John was a child, he attended public school in Dover, Massachusetts, and later he transferred to Sacred Heart High School, a private high school located in Kingston, Massachusetts.

As a young man, John enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1957. Once he earned his degree, John accepted a position as a teacher at Franklin High School, a public high school located in Franklin, Massachusetts. He taught there for four years.

Once he left the classroom, John inaugurated his career in politics. His first position was as an assistant to United States Senator Leverett Saltonstall, a fellow Republican from Massachusetts. But in 1964, John was elected on his own merit on the Republican ticket to the Massachusetts State Senate. He served there until 1974. While serving in the Senate, John dedicated his effort primarily to campaign finance reform. In 1968, John accepted a position as the state chairman for United Citizens for Nixon-Agnew. That year, he also worked toward the election of the governor and the lieutenant government.

Once his term in the State Senate was complete, John served as an aide to Margaret Heckler, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also worked in 1990 as the campaign director for Jim Rappapport, another Massachusetts Republican, in his campaign for the US Senate.

This Chalkboard Champion is still living in Massachusetts. He is 85 years old.

 

Tracy Kraft-Tharp: Colorado school teacher and politician

Posted on by

Many fine educators have achieved success in areas outside of the classroom. One of these is Tracy Kraft-Tharp, a former middle school teacher who was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. Photo credit: coloradopolitics.com.

Many fine educators have achieved success in areas outside of the classroom. One of these is Tracy Kraft-Tharp, a former middle school teacher who was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives.

Tracy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Education from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. In 2000, she earned Juris Doctorate from the University in Denver.

Tracy inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position as a middle school teacher. From there, she became a social worker at the Tenneyson Center for Children, where she worked with at-risk children. Next, she served as the Director of Adolescent Services at Gemini House. She also worked as the Director of Battered Women Services at the Women in Crisis women’s shelter. Later, Tracy taught college courses as a professor at Metropolitan State University located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is also a former professor at Regis University in Denver.

In 2012, Tracy was elected to represent the 29th District on the Democratic ticket. She served in that body from Jan., 2013 to Jan., 2021. There she worked tirelessly for job growth. She passed legislation to support the Re-Hire Colorado program, which provides job coaching and training to unemployed and underemployed Colorado residents. She also sponsored legislation creating a suicide prevention task force to reduce the rate of suicide in Colorado. In addition, the former middle school teacher was appointed to serve on the Jefferson County School District Strategic Planning and Advisory Council.

In addition to her professional affiliations, Tracy is a member of many organizations, including the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Council; the Jefferson County Parent Teacher Association; the League of Women Voters; and the Human Services Council.

Since 2000, Tracy has run her own consulting firm, working with small businesses and nonprofits to increase strategic planning, facilitation, policy development, ED mentoring, and facilitation.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to the website for Tracy Kraft-Tharp.

During Black History Month, we honor Alaska’s Selwyn Carrol

Posted on by

During Black History Month, we recognize Chalkboard Champion and veteran Selwyn Carrol, a middle school teacher and politician from Alaska. (Photo credit: Ian C. Hartmen)

I love to honor our nation’s African American educators all year round, but especially during Black History Month. Today I’d like to recognize Selwyn Carrol, a teacher and politician from Alaska.

Selwyn was born on Oct. 31, 1928, in Altamonte Springs, Florida, although he was raised in the state’s Jacksonville area. As a youngster, he attended Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville. As a young man, he served his country in the US Army. He was sent to Korea where he saw combat. Through the military he ended up in Alaska. There he attended the University of Alaska where he earned his Bachelor’s degree.

Before becoming an educator, Selwyn gained experience in a number of jobs. He worked as a social worker for the Alaska Department of Public Welfare. He was hired by the Alaska Department of Corrections as a supervisor of the youth detention center in the Alaska state jail. He also worked for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as an attendance officer. It was in Fairbanks that he accepted his first teaching position as a middle school teacher.

In 1972, Selwyn was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He represented District 17, which served Fairbanks. He maintained this position from 1972 to 1974. While there, he served as the Chair of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee, and he also served on the Labor and Management Committee.

Upon his retirement, Selwyn relocated to Hampton County, South Carolina. There he served as the county auditor. This Chalkboard Champion passed away on Dec. 21, 2010. He was 82 years old. He was interred at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina.

To learn more about Selwyn Carrol, read his obituary published by The Augusta Chronicle.

Mary Boergers: Teacher, member of Maryland House of Reps

Posted on by

Former high school history teacher Mary Boergers also served in the Maryland House of Representatives and in the Maryland Senate. (Photo credit: www.ourcampaigns.com)

I always enjoy sharing stories about dedicated classroom teachers who also make their mark in politics. One of these is Mary Boergers, a teacher from Maryland who served in her state’s House of Representatives and Senate.

Mary was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on Feb. 10, 1946. Her father worked for an insurance company, and her mother was a high school English teacher. Mary’s childhood was not an easy one. Her father was an alcoholic who spent time in an institution before he died when Mary was 15. After his death, her mother, moved the family to Minneapolis.

Once she graduated from high school, Mary enrolled at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1968. She earned her master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in 1970. After she earned her degrees, Mary accepted a position as a history and government teacher at Rockville High School in Montgomery County, Maryland. Her career as an educator spanned six years, from 1970 to 1976.

Mary inaugurated her career in politics when she became a lobbyist for the National Organization for Women (NOW). She also worked as a fund-raiser for Representative Michael D. Barnes. In 1981, the former teacher was appointed a delegate to the Maryland General Assembly representing the 17th and 18th Districts. There she served on the Ways and Means Committee, the House of Delegates, and the Economic Matters Committee. She also served as the president of Women Legislators of Maryland from 1990 to 1991. In 1990, Mary was elected to the Maryland State Senate on the Democratic ticket. She served in that post from 1991 to 1995. While serving in her various political roles, Mary was especially interested in policies that involved education, women’s rights, drug abuse, crime prevention, labor relations, and the environment.

To learn more about Mary Boergers, see this article about her published in The Washington Post.