Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Gayle Wright: Science teacher and member of PA House of Reps

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Former high school science teacher Gayle Wright also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania House of Representatives)

Many fine educators have also made their mark as successful politicians. One of these is Gayle Wright, a high school science teacher who was also elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Gayle was born in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, on February 3, 1951. As a young woman, she attended Port Huron Northern High School, where she graduated in 1969.

Following her high school graduation, Gayle attended the University of Akron in Akron Ohio.  As a STEM-focused institution, the school curriculum focuses on industries such as polymers, advanced materials, and engineering. There Gayle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Geology in 1973. She also completed graduate courses in Correctional Counseling at Gannon University, a private Catholic university located in Erie, Pennsylvania. .

After earning her college degree, Gayle taught science at both the high school and middle school levels in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was employed in both the Millcreek and the Erie School Districts.

Gayle inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected to serve on the Erie City Council. She served a total of three terms in that capacity. In 2001, the former teacher was elected on the Democratic ticket in a special election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District. That district covers Erie County. She served there until Nov. 30, 2002. There she served on the Committees for Environmental Resources and Energy; Local Government; and State Government. In addition to her responsibilities in the House, Gayle has been involved in many civic groups. She has been a member of the Democratic Women’s Council and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and 2008. In addition, she has served on the Children’s Museum Board and the Cable T.V. Access Board.

To learn more about Gayle’s work as a legislator, see this link to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Hubbard Yetman: New York teacher, veteran, and politician

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Teacher, American veteran, and politician Hubbard Yetman of New York. (Photo credit: Prominent Men of Staten Island (1893), Internet Archive)

Many fine educators log accomplishments in fields outside of the classroom. One of these was Hubbard Yetman, a school teacher from New York who also achieved success as a local and state politician.

Hubbard was born on August 28, 1847, in Englishtown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. As a young boy, he attended school at Monmouth Hall in Freehold.

Hubbard was only 15 years old when he enlisted in the 14th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to fight in the Civil War. His unit was part of the Army of the Potomac, and young Hubbard participated in all of the engagements of his unit. First he served on the front lines as a drummer, and then he was appointed an adjutant’s clerk. Although he was once wounded, his injuries were not severe, and he stayed with his unit until the War Between the States was won.

Once the Civil War was over, Hubbard taught public school in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York. His career as an educator there spanned 15 years. Once he left the classroom, he served his town as the Justice of the Peace and sold insurance. In 1888, Hubbard was elected to the New York State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. There he represented New York’s Richmond County. He was re-elected to this position for two additional terms. While there, the legislature improved local tax laws, increased the county’s police force, and created a pension fund for retired police officers. In 1893, the former teacher was elected School Commissioner, but he declined to serve. However, he did accept an opportunity to serve as the Town Supervisor for Westfield in 1897. When New York City consolidated, the former teacher was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools representing Richmond. He held that position until 1902.

This remarkable educator and politician passed away on October 18, 1924. He is interred in Bethel Cemetery in Staten Island. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article entitled Prominent Men of Staten Island, (1893) published in the Internet Archive.

 

Wisconsin’s Mandy Wright served in her state’s Assembly

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Wisconsin elementary teacher Mandy Wright was also elected to her state’s Assembly.(Photo credit: Ballotpedia)

Many excellent educators also make successful politicians. One of these is Mandy Wright, an elementary school teacher from Wausau, Wisconsin, who has also served in her state’s Assembly.

Mandy was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on June 7, 1977. As a youngster, she attended Riverview Elementary School, and then Wausau East High School, where she earned varsity letters as a cross-country ski captain, the goalie and captain of the girls’ soccer team, and the football kicker.

After her high school graduation, Mandy studied English and Norwegian at St. Olaf College,  a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. She earned her Master’s degree from Viterbo University, a private liberal arts college in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During these years, she also did volunteer work with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and as an after-school coordinator at Jefferson Elementary, where she organized many community programs and events.

After college, Mandy taught sixth grade as an English/ELL teacher at Wausau West. She taught there for four years. She has also taught sixth grade and coached soccer at Horace Mann Middle School.

In November, 2012, Mandy was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. She defeated Republican Pat Snyder, a radio show host with a huge following. While in office, she represented the 85th District, serving on the Committees for Education, Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Small Business Development.

Once she left office, Mandy returned to the field of education, accepting a position at Marathon Venture Academy, a public charter school. She also participates in many community service organizations. She is a member of the League of Conservation Voters; the Farmer’s Union; the Wausau Nordic Ski Club; the Friends of Rib Mountain; the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce; Sierra Club; YMCA; and Stoney Acres Community Farm. Also, she is a Safe Schools Ambassador Family Leader.

To learn more about this educator and politician, see the information on this link by Ballotpedia.

 

Our new First Lady Jill Biden: She’s also an English Teacher

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Our new First lady, Dr. Jill Biden, former high school English teacher, currently teaches at Delaware & Community Technical College. (Photo credit: White House)

With the inauguration of President Joe Biden today, the education community gains an ally in the White House. The ally comes in the form of the new First Lady, Jill Biden. Jill, who was formerly a high school English teacher, has been a professor of English at Community College since 2009. While serving as the Second Lady, Jill continued to teach, and she has declared her intention to continue teaching during her tenure as First Lady.

Jill was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. After she graduated from Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia, in 1969, Jill earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware (1975). She earned two Master’s degrees, one in English from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and one in Education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She completed the requirements for her PhD in Education from the University of Delaware.

After earning her degrees, Jill accepted a position teaching English and reading in high school. She taught for three years at Claymont High School in Delaware, and then at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Delaware (1991-1993). For five years she taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at Rockford Center Psychiatric Hospital.

From 1993 to 2008, Jill taught English and writing at Delaware Technical & Community College. Since 2009, she has worked as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.

When her husband was elected to serve as the Vice President under the Obama Administration, Jill continued to teach full time. She is believed to be the only Second Lady in history to hold down a full-time job while serving as Second lady. Despite her workload in the classroom, Jill still found time for public service. During her husband’s term, which spanned the years from 2009 to 2017, the hardworking educator co-founded the Book Buddies program and the Biden Foundation. She also spearheaded a nonprofit organization to support women’s health and another to support military families.

To read more about Jill Biden, see this article published by The Guardian.

PA’s George M. Wertz: Teacher, politician, and jack of all trades

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Pennsylvania teacher, politician, and jack of all trades George M. Wertz. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania State Senate)

George M. Wertz, a teacher, a politician, and a jack of all trades, is just one example of the many fine instances where skillful educators have also made their mark in the political realm. In addition to his career as an educator, George also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the US House of Representatives.

George was born July 19, 1856, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Hoffman) Wertz, and was born one of seven children on the family farm homestead. As a youngster, he attended public schools, including Ebensburg Academy, and the National Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. In later years, National Normal School merged with Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.

After his graduation from college, George found employment as a teacher, working in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, from 1876 to 1884. He continued his service as an educator working as a school director from 1886 to 1894.

George began his career in politics when he was elected Cambria County Commissioner, a position he held from 1893 to 1896. He went on to serve as sheriff of Cambria County from 1897 to 1901. In 1909, the former teacher was elected on the Republican ticket to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he served until 1913. Once he left the state senate, George organized and managed the Johnstown Daily Leader, where he worked from 1911 to 1917. Between 1923 and 1925, George served in the 68th United States House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania’s 20th District. After he left Congress, George worked as a real estate agent.

This talented educator and politician passed away at the age of 72 on November 19, 1928. He is buried in Grand View Cemetery in Johnstown. The family farm where he was born has been named a state forest. To read more about George M. Wertz, see this link to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.