Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Bernard Ayotte: Former educator and member of Maine’s House of Reps

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Bernard Ayotte, former educator and member of Maine’s House of Representatives

There are many examples of fine educators who have also served in political office. One of these is Bernard Ayotte, who served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014.

Bernard earned his degree in biology from St. Francis University, a private coeducational university located in Biddeford, Maine. The institution is now known as the University of New England. He also owned a sawmill and served in the United States Army.

After his graduation from college, Bernard became a biology and mathematics teacher. He worked his way up the ranks to become the principal in New Sweden Elementary School in New Sweden, Maine.

In 2006, Bernard was elected to the Maine House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He represented District 3. He was re-elected in 2008, 2010, and 2012. He was unable to serve further due to term limits.

In 2009, Bernard became a member of the National Environmental Leadership Group at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Pennsylvania schoolmaster and US Congressman Andrew R. Brodbeck

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Pennsylvania schoolmaster and US Congressman Andrew R. Brodbeck

In our nation’s history many a successful schoolmaster also made a name for himself in the political realm. One of these was Andrew R. Brodbeck, an educator from Pennsylvania who also became a member of the US House of Representatives.

Andrew was born April 11, 1860, in Jefferson, Pennsylvania. The country was just at the brink of the Civil War. As a young man, Andrew first attended and then taught in the public schools of his native York County. His career as an educator there was short, spanning the years of 1878 to 1880.

In 1880 Andrew moved to Hanover, Pennsylvania, an agricultural borough located 19 miles southwest of York and 54 miles north-northwest of Baltimore, Maryland, and five miles north of the Mason-Dixon line. In Hanover Andrew established himself in a business that sold farm implements and fertilizer. During his years there, the former teacher served as a member of the board of directors of various business enterprises. Andrew’s career as an entrepeneur lasted until 1896, when he left the business to accept a position as the sheriff of York County. He served in that position until 1899.

Andrew was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Pennsylvania’s 20th District in the 63rd Congress. After he served his term, he was voted out of office, but in 1918 he was re-elected to serve a second term in the 65th Congress. In 1920, Andrew further served his constituents as a delegate at large at the 1920 Democratic National Convention.

Andrew passed away on February 27, 1937, in Hanover. He was 76 years old. The former educator and politician was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carverton, Pennsylvania.

To view this chalkboard champion’s page on the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, click on this link: .

Middle school math teacher and politician Susan Bauman

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Susan Bauman

Middle school math teacher and politician Susan Bauman.

There are many fine teachers who earn a name for themselves in careers outside the sphere of education. One of these is Susan Bauman, a middle school mathematics teacher who also has an exemplary career as a lawyer, and who also served as the first woman mayor of Madison, Wisconsin.

Susan earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1965, and her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1966. She completed the requirements for her teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1970.

Susan inaugurated her career as an educator when she became a middle school mathematics teacher in the Madison Public School System in 1970. She taught there for eight years. During this time, she was elected President of her local teachers’ union, Madison Teachers Incorporated.

When Susan decided to move on from her career as an educator, she earned a law degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating in 1981. She served 12 years as an Alderperson on the Madison City Council. In April, 1997, she was elected the mayor of Madison, filling the unexpired seat left vacant by former Mayor Paul Soglin. Soglin resigned to run for Congress. Susan was the first woman to be elected to the mayoral position. Two years later, the former teacher was re-elected on the Dermocratic ticket to fill a full four-year term.

Once she left office, Susan was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. Susan served in this capacity from 2003 to 2011. Since leaving her position on the Commission in 2011, the former educator has maintained a private practice as a mediator and arbitrator.

In 2017, Susan became an inductee for a Worldwide Lifetime Achievement Award from Who’s Who.

Former Massachusetts teacher and career legislator John Binienda

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John Binienda

Former teacher and career legislator John Binienda of Massachusetts.

There are many examples of fine classroom teachers who have gone on to successful careers in politics. One of these is John Binienda, Sr., an educator who also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

John was born on June 22, 1947, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was one of eight children born to Mary G. (O’Coin) and Thaddeus A. Binienda. As a youth, John graduated from Saint Peter’s High School. After his high school graduation, he enrolled first at Quinsigamond Community College, and then Worcester State University. “He was fond of the school,” commented John’s son, Jamie Binienda. “He said the college offered many opportunities for adults and traditional-age college students.” After his graduation, he became a teacher in Leicester, Massachusetts. His career as an educator spanned 18 years.

In 1986, John was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. While in office, he was known as a tireless worker who rarely missed a house vote. He served on numerous committees, including Education, Public Safety, and Ways and Means. He was the former Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue, and the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. In 2008, he worked to pass Darnell’s Law, which mandated CPR and first aid training for school-bus drivers in Massachusetts. He also co-sponsored a bill in 2012 that increased access to hearing aids for children. John once revealed that this issue became important for him when his grandson was born hearing impaired. By the time he retired, John had served 28 years in the House.

Sadly, John suffered from kidney disease and diabetes, and he passed away on August 22, 2014. He was 67 years old.

NY high school teacher and politician Ernest Greenwood

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Ernest Greenwood

High school teacher and politician Ernest Greenwood of New York

Throughout American history, there are many examples of fine educators who went on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Ernest Greenwood, a teacher and principal who also served in the US House of Representatives.

Ernest was born November 25, 1884, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, English. As a young boy, he attended public schools in Halifax, and as a young man he attended the Evening Technical Institute and College. From 1905 to 1906 Ernest was employed at an  engineering firm in Sheffield, and from 1907 to 1910 he was employed at an engineering firm in Halifax.

Ernest left his position in Halifax he immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. He secured employment with the General Electric Company in Schenectady. He worked there until 1914, when he decided to change careers and become an educator. To earn his degree, Ernest first attended City College of New York and then Columbia University.

But in 1914, World War I was in full swing. To contribute to the war effort, Ernest became a member of the committee on Census and Inventory of Military Resources. In addition, the new teacher inaugurated his career in Schenectady public schools, where he taught from 1914 to 1916. When he moved to islip, Suffolk County, New York, where he taught at Islip High School from 1916 to 1920. From 1920 to 1922, Ernest served as the supervisor of the Federal Board of Vocational Education. In addition, he was the Associate Headmaster for the Dwight School for Boys. From 1922 to 1946, he worked at the New York Preparatory School for Adults, the last 19 as the Headmaster.

During World War II, Ernest served on Islip’s Rationing Board, and in addition he was the Chairman of the Planning Commission for the Board of Education in Bay Shore, New York. He was the Board’s treasurer from 1947 to 1950. He was a Freemason, and a member of the Rotary Club.

In 1950, Ernest inaugurated his career as a politician. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent New York’s First District in the 82nd Congress. He served in the US House of Representatives from 1951 to 1953.

Ernest retired from politics in 1954. Sadly, the former educator and politician passed away in Bay Shore on June 15, 1955. He was 70 years old. He is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Bay Shore.