Famous African American Teachers

Introduction: Dr. Charles K. Ross, Director, African-American Studies
The University of Mississippi

Africans, delivered to America during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, brought with them a commitment to education. This desire for learning caused them to be placed in the difficult position of forcibly learning English but not legally being taught how to read and write. Although caught in this paradox, African Americans such as Jupiter Hammon, Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Mary Jane Patterson, and Booker T. Washington all had significant educational accomplishments.

Several African Americans received degrees from white institutions of higher learning during the 19th century and historically black colleges were formed beginning in 1837 with the establishment of Cheyney State Training School in Pennsylvania.

With the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction, African Americans in the South found themselves retrenched to land as sharecroppers and tenant farmers, legally stripped of the right to vote, and socially segregated. Against this backdrop, education became the leading tool in the fight for equal rights politically, economically and socially. The individuals featured during Black History Month by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning represent and epitomize some of the many accomplishments, contributions, and achievements by African American teachers.

Dr. Robert Russa Moton (August 26, 1867-May 31, 1940), a native Virginian, was born in Amelia County. By some accounts, he was the son many would have liked to have had. Enrolling in Hampton Institute at 18, he became a licensed lawyer in his junior year. He later returned to school and completed his senior year, where after, he became the Commandant for military discipline at Hampton. He remained in that position for about 25 years.

Moton was chosen as president of the National Negro Business League in 1900 and was continually re-elected until 1920. While at Hampton, Moton began working with Booker T. Washington and accompanied him on tours through the southern states talking about racial advancement through vocational education and interracial cooperation. According to African American Registry, “Their method consisted of singing "Negro Melodies" led by Moton, followed by a speech from Washington.” It appears to have been a good working relationship because when Washington died in 1915, Moton became the President of Tuskegee Institute serving for 15 years. Under his tenure, Tuskegee added many new buildings including the William G. Willcox Trade Buildings, the Dairy and Horse Barn, James Chambliss Building, a new greenhouse, Chambliss Children’s House, a wing to John A. Andrew Hospital, Margaret Murray Washington Hall, Logan Hall, Hollis Burke Frissell Library, and Samuel Chapman Armstrong Hall. Additionally the school’s endowment grew from $2.3 million to $7.77 million and the programs grew from 11 to 12 years, followed by a junior college program, and eventually bachelor’s degrees in agriculture, education, home economics and mechanical engineering.

Dr. Moton received honorary degrees from many universities including Harvard, won the Harmon Award in Race Relations and the NAACP Spingarn medal for distinguished service. He resigned his presidency in 1935 and died in 1940.

References:

http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/1100/Robert_Russa_Moton_a_vigorous_educator__ accessed February 19, 2008.

http://www.tuskegee.edu/Global/story.asp?S=1079853 accessed February 19, 2008.

Archives: Teachers featured earlier this month
John Robert Edward Lee
Sarah Mapps Douglass
Mordecai Wyatt Johnson
Mary Smith Peake
Peter Humphries Clark
Mary McLeod Bethune
William Leo Hansberry
Inez Beverly Prosser
W.E.B. DuBois
Hallie Quinn Brown
Father Patrick Francis Healy
Charlotte Forten Grimke
Harper Councill Trenholm
Mary Church Terrell
Alexander Twilight
John Hope
Euphemia Lofton-Haynes
Booker T. Washington
Margaret Murray Washington