Paulette Copeland Remembered as 'a Remarkable Leader'

Paulette Copeland, who served as president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association from 1997 to 2001, was "a tremendously dedicated educator, union activist and community activist," WEAC President Stan Johnson said.

"Paulette's commitment and resolve was felt by everyone she came in contact with," Johnson said. "She was an inspiration to the children she taught as well as to the adults she worked with. She was kind and caring yet determined in her pursuit of justice for kids and fairness for teachers and education support professionals."

Copeland, who was in her second term as MTEA vice president, died Monday (May 16, 2005) of cancer at age 61. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday (May 20, 2005) at Northwest Funeral Chapel, 6630 W. Hampton Avenue, Milwaukee. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2207 N. 2nd Street, Milwaukee.

Current MTEA President Bob Lehmann said Copeland was "a remarkable leader whose quiet dignity had a profound effect on the MTEA."

"There was no one who cared more about the children of this district," Lehmann said. "We are all deeply saddened with her passing, but we are grateful to have been truly blessed with her leadership and her friendship."

MTEA Executive Director Sam Carmen said Copeland was "an inspiration to children, educators, and to the community as she fought tirelessly for justice and equality." He said Copeland's "activism and advocacy - for all children, for public schools, for the rights and dignity of all - were a driving force within our union, MPS, and the community."

Copeland began her teaching career as a preschool teacher at Siefert Elementary School in 1975 and moved to Samuel Clemens Elementary School in 1979 as a preschool reading and writing specialist. Carmen said her classroom "was a model of high expectations, fiercely held and compassionately taught principles, and love for children."

Copeland was MTEA's first African-American president, first full-time released president, and first African-American vice-president.

In addition to serving as a top elected leader in MTEA for the past eight years, she also represented kindergarten-primary teachers as an MTEA Executive Board member from 1991 to 1997.

In addition to her many roles in the Milwaukee community and with MTEA, Copeland was active in WEAC. Over the years, she served on the WEAC Board of Directors, the WEAC Instruction and Professional Development Committee, the WEAC Policies and Procedures Committee, the WEAC Budget Committee, and the WEAC Black Caucus.

In Milwaukee, Copeland helped establish the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest to teach the values that Dr. King personified - along with the discipline of writing an essay. As a contest co-chair, she made certain an annual theme was selected to bring the legacy of Dr. King alive to today's students.

On its Web site, the MTEA said it is "very difficult to capture all that Paulette Copeland has meant to our union. She never sought attention and rarely acknowledged her accomplishments. She was happy to be a mentor, and a true friend, and to do the unsung, heavy lifting that authentic leadership often requires."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article

Posted May 18, 2005