/Volumes/T7 Shield/EWP/Elements/EWP_Files/source/Ingest One/3 Superintendent Files and Annual Reports/3-1_Emerick_Essays/Emerick_Files/colored/EWP_Colored_Teachers_of_Loudoun.pdf
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Colored Teachers of Loudoun
Notes by Larry Roeder
5/1/2016
The following report was discovered in the archives of LCPS and presents a list
of “colored” teachers and their instructional assignments for the academic year
of 1926/27.
Editorial note: The term “colored” was the contemporary word for African-American or
black in 1926.
The report indicated that colored schools opened on Tuesday, October 5th, following an
institute to be held at Leesburg on October fourth. Segregated Teacher Institutes were
used to share thinking on ways of teaching, to develop solutions, sign contracts, listen
to news, etc.
Prize
An interesting note indicated that the Virginia School Supply company contributed a
map of the United States to be given to the school having the best report at the League
Rally on Saturday, November thirteenth in Leesburg. That particular week was the
Sixth American Education Week across the country.
Given that the prize announcement was part of the announcement for “colored” schools
and that the memo didn’t say anything about White schools, it is possible that both
could compete; but before that conclusion is drawn, more research will be required.
That’s especially true since the one newspaper account only spoke of white LCPS and
church officials in attendance.
The National Education Association and the American Legion were distressed that 25
percent of World War One draftees were illiterate so in 1919 met on the topic to find
ways of rally public support. Their conventions adopted resolutions in support and in
1921 NEA called for an official week, which was held for the first time December 4-10,
1921. The U.S. Office of Education followed in 1922 and the PTA joined forces in
1938. American Education Week is always celebrated the week prior to the week of
Thanksgiving (staff, 2015).
In Leesburg in 1926, the rally was held by the county federation of community leagues
on Saturday, November 13. The map was awarded to the Paeonian Springs School.
The Arcola league was a close second (staff, 1926).
Bibliography
staff. (1926, 11 18). Community League Meeting at Leesburg. Blue Ridge Herald, p. 1.
staff. (2015). American Education Week History. Retrieved from National Educational Association:
http://www.nea.org/grants/61038.htm