Yvonne Wilson
Spotlight Award
Yvonne Wilson (M.A. ’71, Ed.S. ’76) has served her community in many capacities, as a Missouri state senator and former state representative, former board member of School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education, the first African American president of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, and a teacher and principal for 35 years. Going into politics was not a part Wilson’s retirement plan.
“I had no desire whatsoever to get in to politics after 35 years in the public school system,” Wilson says. “But when I retired, my husband thought I had a little time on my hands.” Wilson says her husband asked her to fill in for a committeewoman in one of his political organizations. “I was to just hold a slot. I went the next day and filed, and that put me on the ballot for the next election.” She garnered 100 percent of the vote in the election.
When did you decide to become a teacher? Before second grade. I used to teach the kids in the neighborhood on my grandmother’s front porch.
Do educators make good politicians? We need more teachers to become legislators, because that’s where decisions are made about public education.
What’s one thing you’d still like to do? Finish my doctorate. I was working on it when I was asked to become director of elementary education for the Kansas City, Mo., school district.
What historical figure do you most identify with? Frederick Douglas, and Mary McLeod Bethune, because she was an educator who started education for girls.