Political Quotes

“Mrs. Margaret Barnett has a distinction no other woman in Illinois has. She was the first female high school band director in Illinois. Mrs. Barnett studied piano and received her Bachelor's Degree from Shurtleff College in 1930. She played trombone with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and earned a Master of Arts Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, Mrs. Barnett studied clarinet at the Western Military Academy. Fortunately, Mrs. Barnett did not keep all her musical talent to herself. She taught every child the proper techniques on his or her instrument, leading her bands at Alhambra High School and Bethalto High School to win many contests and awards. However, music was not the only subject Mrs. Barnett could teach. She taught English, mathematics and Latin at both Alhambra and Bethalto High Schools. She even served as librarian and assistant to the superintendent at Bethalto. Earlier in her career in 1932 she was Vice President of the Illinois State Teachers Association. I applaud Mrs. Barnett for her dedication to teaching young people. She is definitely a pioneer and an inspiration for women in high school band positions. Most importantly, Mrs. Barnett is a role model for all teachers to follow.”