Burnett Child Development Center to be renamed Leola M. Havard Early Education School after district’s first African American female principal
The school site was previously named after Peter Burnett, the first governor of California. Community members called for a renaming of the school site due to Burnett’s past political stances and support of laws which resulted in the discrimination against Blacks, Asians and Native Americans.
Leola M. Havard began her career with the San Francisco Unified School district as a teacher in 1949. During her career, she taught at Patrick Henry, Geary and McKinley Elementary Schools, served as assistant principal at Marshall Annex and Starr King Elementary Schools and as principal at John Muir Elementary School. Havard retired from the district in 1979 after 30 years of service.
Community members attended the meeting in full force to show their support for the renaming of the school site. Many wore colored ribbons and dressed head to toe in red, Havards’ favorite color.
Gentle Blythe is with the Office of Public Outreach and Communications of the San Francisco Unified School District. She can be reached at newsline@sfusd.edu.
Congratulations to Ms Leola M. Havard, It is a richly deserved honor.
Congratulations Mrs. Havard! I'm one of your 4th grade students at McKinley School (1961-1962). I was
your non-English speaker who had just immigrated from Peru ( my 50th anniversary two months ago). I remember you as a firm, respectful, and very kind teacher. You came to my apartment after school to teach my brother, sister, and me the English language. I was so inspired by your devotion, hard work ethics, and acceptance of all your students (as if we were your own children) that I also became a Fourth Grade teacher. It is my 36th year as a bilingual teacher in Union City, California, and I'm still using some of the techniques I learned from you. Muchas Gracias!
Eduardo R. Munoz
4th Grade Bilingual Teacher
Kitayama Elementary