Every day this month, the Center for Black Educator Development, in partnership with Phillys7thWard.org and the Education Post, will highlight a Black Educator Hall of Famer. But, don’t forget, e’ry month is Black History Month…February is just the Blackest.
Today, our featured Black Educator Hall of Fame Member is Marjorie Carter.
Majorie Carter was born in 1929. She was raised (as well as born) in Syracuse, NY.
While a school student, Carter felt inspired by her teachers, and by the sixth grade, she had decided to become a teacher herself. Carter herself said, “I was born in Syracuse. I’m a native. I have determination and I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I was going to do it.”
Once finished with high school, Carter attended the State University of New York at Courtland, where she graduated with her teaching certificate in 1950. She was one of the first African-Americans to graduate from the university. After graduation, she began her teaching career – embarking on a journey with the Syracuse School District.
She was the first Black teacher in the history of the school district.
Said Carter, “I didn’t even think about it… It was many years later that I thought about it, but I didn’t think about it at that point because my thought was I needed to do the very best that I possibly could because I had all of these little faces in my classroom and they were eager to learn. I was eager to teach.”
She began teaching at the former Charles Andrew Elementary School, teaching first and second grades; positions her superintendent thought was best. But her work and impact went beyond the classroom.
Carter became an instructional specialist with the help of federal government funding, she taught a teacher-training program for adults at Syracuse University during summers, became a NYS delegate for the National Education Association, a board member of the New York State United Teachers, and was the first Black president of the Syracuse Teacher’s Association.
Although Carter retired in 1990, she continued teaching. She became an instructor at the Everson Museum for 25 years educating thousands more. In addition to that, she remained active with various groups, including volunteering with the Syracuse Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.
Carter’s passion and love for her students is what we expect of teachers. Majorie Carter’s example is one that all educators should follow. She’s a pioneer, a trailblazer and an accomplished educator whose impact is far reaching. She was dedicated to her students and gave her all to them.
Majorie Carter; a member of the Black Educator Hall of Fame.
For more information on Majorie Carter, visit the following site.
