The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-01-14
POLITICS IN THE SCHOOLS
SOCIALIST TEACHER rs
REFUSED LIFE DIPLOMA
Clear Case of Persecution

Mrs Ida Copeland, Socialist can
didate for county superintendent of
schools of Lewis county, Washington,
has been refused life diploma by
the Bellingham Normal
Mrs Copeland taught three years in
New York, receiving the highest testi-
monials from the county school COM
mission, and she holds New York
first grade certificate now in force.
She has taught in this state for the
last twelve years, and she has a per-
manent first grade certificate which
was granted upon evidence of u
months successful teaching.
In 1909 she graduated from the Bel
bingham Normal, and 80 pages of her
lesson plans were on exhibit at the
A,-Y.-P. exposition. Two years after
graduation she was recommended by
the county superintendent, but she
was told to apply again. The follow
ing year she was principal of Ash
ford and was recommended by many
parents and a majority of the board.
Her diploma was again denied and the
secretary of the faculty wrote her
that probably more kindly spirit
would be helpful in her case After
insisting upon knowing in what way
she had failed in her duty as teacher
she was told that if in future a ma
jority OF her references would recon-
mend her that there was no reason
why a favorable decision would not
be given.
The next year she served as prim-
airy teacher at Randle, where her
work was highly appreciated by par
ents; but she incurred the spite of
Principal Paul Orr, because she was
elected to position for which he had
applied in summer school in the ad-
joining district! Paul Orr was
preacher; but when his daughter was
born few months after his marriage,
people did not care to hear him
preach. But Orr is a good standpat
voter, and it is said that he holds
life diploma.
Last year Mrs. Copeland was elect
ed principal at Veness, and County
Superintendent Carrier refused to re-
cord her contract However, when
he found that all the directors, of
whom two were Socialists, were de-
termined to stand by the contract, he
recorded it. Last March the county
superintendent decided to consolidate
Veness with Winlock and so place the
control of the school with the Win
lock board. At the meeting called to
talk over consolidation he used insult
ing language towards Mrs. Copeland
because she opposed his plan and
threatened to put her out of the coun-
ty! But such strenuous objections
were made that he did not deem it
wise to consolidate.
Prof Carrier Gives Teacher the
Double Cross.
Mrs. Copeland was reelected prin-
cipal of the school, and she was recon-
.mended for a life diploma by so peo-
pie from 46 different families, includ-
ing all the directors. Superintendent
Carrier told her that he would recon-
mend her, but later she was informed
from the Normal that he did not Her
diploma was refused on the ground
that out of county superintendent
on principals did not report favorably.
According to the statement presented
many uperintendents who recon-
mended her for permanent first
grade, later did not recommend her
for a Normal life diploma Why was
the change made? The blacklisting
schemes against Socialist teachers are
pretty well known. In many cases
those who would speak favorably of
her work were not consulted but ev-
cry effort was made to secure testi-
mony against her by appealing to
those who were opposed to her be-
cause of her political belief. While at
the Normal she incurred the dislike