Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Colonel Francis Wayland Parker: Teacher and Civil War Veteran

Posted on by
Francis Wayland Parker

Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, Civil War veteran and celebrated pioneer of the Progressive Movement in education. Photo credit: myhero.com

At the turn of the of the 20th century, one of the most celebrated pioneers of the Progressive Movement in education was Colonel Francis Wayland Parker. In a time when modern ideas were not popular, this innovative educator promoted a philosophy that education should not emphasize standardization, rote memorization, and isolated drill. Rather, he advocated a curriculum that addressed the development of the whole student, including the child’s intellectual, physical, and moral growth. He created a model program that was strong on language development and geared towards teaching students to think and make decisions independently. Today, we would recognize his strategies as teaching critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving.

Francis Parker was born on Oct. 9, 1837, in Bedford, New Hampshire. At the tender age of 16 he became the village teacher, and when the Civil War broke out seven years later, this young educator enlisted as a private in the 4th New Hampshire Volunteer Army. It wasn’t long before he was promoted to lieutenant, then to lieutenant colonel, and then to commander. In May, 1865, Colonel Parker was captured by Confederate forces and held as a prisoner of war in North Carolina.

When the war was over, this Civil War veteran resumed his teaching career, first as a teacher, and then as a principal. In 1872, the continuously evolving educator traveled to Germany to study pedagogy at the Humboldt University of Berlin. When he returned, he became the coordinator of a highly-acclaimed teacher-training institution in Chicago, Illinois.

Colonel Parker is an American hero in so many ways, and is undoubtedly a Chalkboard Champion in the truest sense of the word. You can read more about this remarkable historical figure in my second book, Chalkboard Heroes: Twelve Courageous Teachers and Their Deeds of Valor, available from amazon.

RI teacher Lucy Tootell served in her state’s House of Reps

Posted on by

Elementary and junior high school teacher Lucy Tootell served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Photo credit: Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame

During Women’s History Month, we have the opportunity to recognize many fine classroom educators who also served their communities in a variety of capacities. Some have even gone on to make excellent politicians. One of these is Lucy Tootell, an elementary and junior high school teacher who also served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Lucy was born November 27, 1911, in Jacksonville, Illinois. Her mother was a former dramatics arts director at Rhode Island State College, now known as the University of Rhode Island. Her father was Roy Willard Rawlings, the last Republican Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. She was two years old when her family moved to the state of Rhode Island. When she became a teenager, Lucy attended South Kingstown High School for three years, but she graduated with honors from Westerly High School in 1929.

After her high school graduation, Lucy earned her Bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Rhode Island College of Education in 1933. She inaugurated her career as an educator at Roger Williams Junior High School, and later taught at the Richmond Elementary School. Later Lucy attended law school at Boston University. She also attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City during the summer of 1934, and Northwestern University, where she was offered the directorship of their renowned children’s theater.

The indefatigable educator served her community in many capacities. She served as the curator and archivist of the Kingston Little Rest Museum. She was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, the Richmond Historical Society, and the  the Charlestown Historical Society. In addition, she was a lecturer and an author of many local history publications, books, and slide shows. Lucy also served as Council Commissioner of the Rhode Island Girl Scout Organization. In 1970, she was elected to the Richmond School Committee and, in 1972, was elected on the Republican ticket to the Rhode Island House of Representatives from Chariho District #52, where she served from 1973 until 1977.

For her tireless work on behalf of Rhode Island, Lucy was named “Woman of the Year” by the Chariho Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1974.She also garnered the “John Nicholas Brown Award,” from The League of RI Historical Societies in 1982.
In 1997, in recognition of her distinguished achievements in the field of and preservation of history, Lucy earned an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Rhode Island. In 2013, she was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

This Chalkboard Champion passed away on January 5, 2010. To read more about Lucy Tootell, see this post on the website for the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

Educator Harriet Byrd served in both Wyoming’s House of Reps and State Senate

Posted on by

Elementary school teacher Harriet Byrd served in both the Wyoming State House of Representatives and State Senate. Photo credit: Townsquare Media

Many dedicated educators have also served as excellent politicians. One of these is Harriet Elizabeth Byrd, an elementary school teacher from Cheyenne, Wyoming. She served in both her state’s House of Representatives and Senate.

Harriet was born on April 20, 1926, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her father was a mechanic for the Union Pacific Railroad, and her mother was a homemaker. As a young girl, Harriet attended Cheyenne High School, where she graduated in 1944. Three years later she married James W. Byrd. The union produced three children.

In 1949, Harriet earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from West Virginia State College, a historically Black college located in Institute, West Virginia. Once she earned her degree, the neophyte teacher returned to Wyoming to apply for a teaching position with the Laramie County School District. Unfortunately, she was denied the position because she was Black.

Fortunately, Harriet was hired as a civilian instructor for the Department of Administrative Services at F. E. Warren air Force Base in Wyoming. She taught there for ten years. In 1959, administrators at Laramie School District reversed their earlier stance and gave Harriet a job as an elementary school teacher. She taught in that district for 27 years. In 1976, the veteran educator completed the requirements for her Master’s degree at the University of Wyoming.

In 1980, Harriet was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represented the 44th Assembly District until 1988. She also served in the Wyoming State Senate, representing the 8th Senate District from 1988 to 1992. In fact, the former teacher was the first African American to serve in both houses. While in the legislature, Harriet worked to improve child safety laws, social services programs for adults, and improved conditions for the handicapped. She also worked to create a state holiday to honor Martin Luther King.

Harriet was also active in a number of professional organizations. She was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Education Association, the Wyoming Education Association, the American Legion Auxiliary in Cheyenne, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was a past president of the Search Light Club, the oldest African American women’s club in Wyoming.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away on January 27, 2015, at her home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was 88 years old. To read more about her, check out this link  created by the University of Wyoming.

During Women’s History Month, we recognize Utah educator Eurithe LaBarthe

Posted on by

High school teacher and principal Eurithe LaBarthe served in the Utah State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Better Days 2020

Many hardworking educators are also accomplished politicians. One of these was Eurithe LaBarthe, a high school teacher and principal who also served as a state legislator in her state. She was a proponent of gender equality, a prominent clubwoman, a literary leader, and one of Utah’s first women legislators.

Eurithe was born in 1845 in Peoria, Illinois. As a young woman, she worked as a high school teacher and principal in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After her marriage to Jules LaBarthe on July 10, 1873, the couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. That was in 1892. Although she was not a Mormon in a predominantly Mormon community, the newcomer quickly established herself as an influential clubwoman.

In 1896, Eurithe she elected President of the Ladies’ Literary Club and managed the official club building for that organization. The Literary Club provided higher education at a time when it was not readily available to women. Initially, the organization focused primarily on history, but eventually they branched out into other topics such as poetry, art, and politics. The society was heavily involved in charity work and later helped pass a bill for the first free library in Utah. The club also purchased 2,000 books in order to help start the library.

The same year, Eurithe was elected on the Democratic ticket to Utah State House of Representatives. That year was the first election in which women could run for office in the newly-formed state. She was one of two women elected to the inaugural state legislature on Nov. 3, 1896. Her term began in Jan., 1897, and continued to Jan., 1899. While serving there, Eurithe was named the Chair of the Education Committee. Additionally, she drafted a letter to Congress requesting that the Federal Industrial Home, which was originally built as a refuge from polygamy but had stood empty for several years, be granted to the state for educational or charitable purposes. The former teacher advanced the cause of gender equality by actively engaging in the political processes of her state and by paving the way for future women lawmakers.

In addition to her work as a politician, Eurithe worked to establish the Utah State Historical society. Later she moved to Denver, where she became involved in women’s club work, serving as Treasurer and as Chair of the Finance Committee for the Woman’s Club, an organization of over 1000 members.

Sadly, while visiting her son in Salt Lake City, Eurithe contracted pneumonia and succumbed to the disease on Nov. 22, 1910. She was buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Educator, Army veteran, and local politician Norton Younglove

Posted on by

Educator, US veteran, and local politician Norton Younglove.of California. Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Many exemplary educators have served their county in the military and their community in public office. One of these is Norton Younglove, a teacher from California, Army veteran, and former local civil servant.

Norton was born in Riverside, California, on October 8, 1929. After he graduated from Riverside High School in 1947, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Williamette University in Salem, Oregon. He married his wife, Ardith, and the couple returned to Riverside, where Norton worked in his father’s business, Home Oil Company.

During the Korean Conflict, Norton became a member of the US Army Signal Corps and served in Korea. Once he completed his stint in the Army, Norton earned his teaching credentials and accepted a position at first Sierra Junior High School and then at Ramona High School, where he taught courses in US Government.

It was at this point in his life that Norton decided to become involved in local politics. He served on the Riverside City Council. He also served as a County Supervisor for six consecutive terms, retiring from the Board in 1994. In addition, he served as a member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and earned a reputation as a fighter who adamantly opposed air pollution. He was also instrumental in establishing a final resting place for many veterans at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside.

Throughout his life Norton was an accomplished sailor, winning the Snipes West Coast championship in his youth, and in the 1960s, he captured the title of the Labor Day Regatta with his three sons serving as his crew.

Norton passed away in Riverside, California, on January 17, 2025. He was 95 years old. To honor his legacy, the Norton Younglove Reserve in Beaumont, the Norton Younglove Community Center in Highgrove, and the Norton Younglove Senior Center in Calimesa—all located in Southern California—have been dedicated to his work.