Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Former First Lady Lucy Hayes: She once taught deaf and speech-impaired orphans

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Many First Ladies have supported education and even worked as teachers before they went to the White House. One of these was First Lady Lucy Hayes, who taught deaf and speech-impaired orphans. Photo credit: The White House Historical Association

Many of our nation’s presidential wives supported education and even worked as teachers before their husbands were elected to the highest office of the land. One of these was Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, our country’s 19th President. After serving in the US House of Representatives and as the Governor of Ohio, Hayes served as President from 1877 to 1881.

Lucy Webb was born on August 28, 1831, in Chilicothe, Ohio, the daughter of Dr. James Webb and Maria Cook.

As First Lady, Lucy Hayes was widely considered the role model of a modern educated woman. In fact, she was the first First Lady to have earned a college degree, having graduated from Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College in 1850

When her husband served as the Governor of Ohio, Lucy worked as a teacher of hearing and speech-impaired orphans. She often accompanied her husband on his visits to prisons, correctional institutions for boys and girls, hospitals for the mentally ill, and facilities for the deaf and mute. She was also part of a group that established a home for the orphans of soldiers.

As First Lady, she regularly visited schools in all corners of the young democracy. She made a special effort to include visits to schools dedicated to the education of African American men and women, Native Americans, and impoverished white students. Lucy supported her husband’s commitment to public education, and served as president of the Women’s Home Missionary Society, an organization dedicated to educating and improving the living conditions of the poor.

To read more about First Lady Lucy Hayes, see the  book From Classroom to White House: The Presidents  and First Ladies as Students and Teachers by James McMurtry Longo, available on amazon.

Former First Lady Lou Henry Hoover, teacher and supporter of public schools

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Former First Lady Lou Hoover, was a  third grade teacher and supporter of public schools. Photo credit: National First Ladies Library

Many of America’s presidential wives have had experience as public school teachers. One of these is Lou Henry Hoover, the wife of President Herbert Hoover, the 31st leader of our nation.

Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, Iowa, but spent much of her childhood moving from state to state. In addition to Iowa, she lived in Texas, Kansas, and California. After she graduated from high school, Lou Henry enrolled at the Los Angeles Normal School, now known as the University of California, Los Angeles. Later she transferred to San Jose Normal School, now known as San Jose State University. She earned her teaching credential in 1893. She also earned a degree in geology from Stanford University in California.

Herbert Hoover met Lou Henry while they were both attending Stanford University. Before enrolling there, she had been employed as a third grade teacher, and she had originally planned a long career in education. Her plans changed, however, when she decided to marry and travel abroad with her husband.

After he was elected president in 1928, President Hoover and the First Lady, who were both avid readers, were dismayed to discover that the White House Library established by First Lady Abigail Fillmore had disintegrated due to neglect. Reconstructing the White House library became one of the projects of their administration.

In August, 1929, Lou and the president discovered a community of impoverished Appalachian families near their summer retreat that was unable to provide a school for their children. The couple decided to establish, in secret, a school for the local mountain children, as well as a small residence for the teacher they hired to instruct them. The teacher was Christine Vest, a graduate of Berea College. The school was opened on Feb. 24, 1930, and came to be known as “The President’s Mountain School.” Lou visited the school frequently, picnicking with the children and chatting with their parents.

Lou was exceedingly proud of her efforts to help the underprivileged gain an education. “We believe that the democratic influence of a good public school in a good community gives a much better training than the unavoidable exclusiveness of even the best private schools,” the First Lady once expressed.

In addition to supporting the community school, Lou became a lifelong supporter of the Girl Scouts and their programs for outdoor camping and education. She was also instrumental in the era’s movement to expand opportunities for women in athletic activities.

To learn more about this amazing First Lady, see her biography at the National First Ladies Library.

The remarkable teacher and First Lady Jill Biden

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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a former high school English teacher and current community college professor, continues to teach despite her numerous responsibilities as America’s First Lady. Photo Credit: the hill.com

You may be familiar with Dr. Jill Biden, the nation’s current First Lady. But did you know that she is a former high school English teacher? In addition to her experience at the secondary level, Jill has been a professor of English at Community College since 2009. In fact, she continued teaching throughout her entire 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, and later while her husband served as the 46th President of the United States,  Jill continued to teach full time, even though she had many responsibilities as a public figure.

And her work as a public servant and educator continue. Dr. Jill Biden: A true Chalkboard Champion.

Alice Burke: From teacher to trailblazing politician

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Elementary school teacher Alice Driscoll Burke of Massachusetts was the first woman in New England to serve as a city mayor. Photo credit: The Boston Globe

There are many excellent educators who have established a career in the political sphere, even becoming trailblazers. One of these is Alice Burke, a teacher who also served as the first woman mayor in New England.

Alice Driscoll Burke was born on June 19, 1892, in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. At only four years old, she became an orphan. After her parents passed away, she was raised by her paternal grandparents. As a teenager, she graduated from Northbridge High School, with honors, and in 1911 she earned her teaching degree at Fitchburg Normal School.

Once she completed her education, Alice accepted a teaching position in Hampden County, Massachusetts. She taught sixth grade in schools in the town of Westfield.

In the mid-to-late 1910s, Burke also taught n Westfield’s Americanization program, teaching immigrants about United States history, government, and culture to prepare for their citizenship tests. Ironically, she did this at a point in history when women were denied the right to vote.

Unfortunately, the Westfield School Committee adopted a policy of allowing only women who were single to be employed as teachers in their district, so Alice, who was married, lost her job. That fall, she was elected to a position on the Westfield School Committee.

After teaching for 20 years, Alice was elected mayor of Westfield, the first female to be elected mayor in the state of Massachusetts or in the region of New England. She served in the position from 1940—1943, from 1954—1955, and from 1958—1958. From 1968 to 1973, she served as a member-at-large of the Westfield City Council. However, her career as a politician was also marked by significant defeats. A Democrat, Alice ran unsuccessful campaigns for the Massachusetts Senate in 1944 and for the House of Representatives in 1946. With the passage of the 19th Amendment, Alice was eager to exercise her own right to vote.

Alice Burke passed away on May 14, 1974, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was 81 years old. To learn more about this remarkable educator and politician, click on this link to a biography about her published by the Historical Journal of Massachusetts.

Aaron Fussell: NC educator, legislator, and Bronze Star recipient

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North Carolina teacher, legislator, and World War II veteran Aaron Fussell earned the Bronze Star for his war-time service. Photo credit: Find a Grave

Many fine educators have also served our country in the military. Many more have served their community in public office. Aaron Fussell, a teacher from North Carolina, has done both.

Aaron was born on July 5, 1923, in Rose Hill, North Carolina. In 1940, he graduated from Rose Hill High School. The following summer, he worked for his uncle in Laurinburg, where he did the bookkeeping and handled the payroll. Next, Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina. He also completed post-graduate courses at North Carolina State University and Duke University. While in college, Aaron played basketball, baseball, and tennis, a game at which he especially excelled.

During World War II, Aaron served his country as a corporal in the US Army. He was among the troops that comprised the 203rd Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, when they landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy in June, 1944. Later, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In fact, Aaron earned a Bronze Star for fighting in 318 continuous days of combat.

Once the war was over, Aaron became a teacher and coach at Elm City High School in 1946. He worked his way up the ranks, first as an Assistant Principal at Whiteville High School, then as the Principal of Millbrook High School in 1953, and finally as the Superintendent of Wake County Schools in 1957. He held that position until 1976, during which time he ensured the integration of the school district. In all, Aaron’s career as an educator spanned 31 years.

In addition to his work as an educator, Aaron was elected on the Democratic ticket to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He served in that body from 1978 to 1994, a total of 16 years. In this position, he supported many bills for improved education, including a state Basic Education Plan and a statewide curriculum which was adopted in the 1980s. In addition, the former teacher supported a mandatory seatbelt law and statewide watershed protection.

Teacher, politician, and veteran Aaron Fussell passed away on July 7, 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 91 years old.