Teacher Appreciation

 In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day on May 4, 2021, I thought I'd write about a few ancestors who were teachers. I've found many relatives on both sides of the family tree who were teachers. The teaching profession seems to be well represented on the Strand branch of the tree.

Going back, Mildred Bellinger Strand worked as a teacher before marrying Carl Strand in July 1920. I haven't been able to find her in the 1920 census, but according to the marriage record, she lived in Otsego and worked as a school teacher. She didn't live with her parents as I found them separately. 

Everyone I've talked to about Mildred has always said she highly valued an education and learning. She loved to read and always kept learning about new things all her life.

Going back another generation we find Carl Strand's mother, Mary Pulispher. Mary also worked as a teacher before marrying William Strandt. Mary was also a lifelong learner. I found this article about her going back to college in her later years.

The article is dated July 21, 1941. I think it's very cool that Mary decided to take college classes at the age of 61.

Also mentioned in that article is Mary's daughter, Eva. Eva was the oldest child of William and Mary Strandt. She was also Carl Strand's older sister. She also worked as a teacher. She taught for many years. Her teaching career was mentioned in her obituary. 

These are just a few examples I've found of teachers in the family. Teaching, and a good education, seem to be a family trait. 

Mildred Bellinger Strand

Mary Pulsipher Strand

Eva Strandt Kiser, holding the horse.