E’ry day this month, the Center for Black Educator Development, in partnership with Phillys7thWard.org, 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 is Annie Bethel Scales Bannister.
Anne Spencer was born in 1882 in Virginia. At the age of 11, her mother enrolled her in the Virginia Theological Seminary and College (now Virginia University of Lynchburg). At age 17, she graduated at the top of her class. Two year later, she’d marry Edward Spencer, a fellow from school in Lynchburg who tutored her in math and science, and she tutored him in languages.
At the seminary, Anne majored in teaching at the Normal School. During the summers, she’d return to her hometown, Bramwell, WV, in the summers and teach. Spencer is also known for her literary career as a renowned poet. But, before her prolific writing career, she was a dope educator. Upon graduation, she returned to Bramwell and taught in Elkhorn and Mayberry, West Virginia. CONTINUE READING: Anne Spencer, Black Educator Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward