Ernestine S. Mitchell Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS 0052
Scope and Contents
The Ernestine Mitchell Collection contains personal and professional papers of Ernestine Mitchell. This collection, which dates from 1946 to 2011, contains letters, certificates, newsclippings, and photographs that chronicle her career in education and of her family history in her hometown of Angleton, Texas. The majority of the photographs are digital only and are available online at the Houston Public Library Digital Archive.
Much of the materials within the collection reflect a period in Houston’s educational history in which schools were desegregated by federal law. What followed were “Crossover Teachers,” African American teachers who initially taught in segregated African American elementary schools that were transferred to teach at predominately white schools.
Much of the materials within the collection reflect a period in Houston’s educational history in which schools were desegregated by federal law. What followed were “Crossover Teachers,” African American teachers who initially taught in segregated African American elementary schools that were transferred to teach at predominately white schools.
Dates
- 1946 - 2011
- Majority of material found within 1959 - 1969
Language of Materials
All materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Ernestine Mitchell Collection must be obtained from African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Ernestine Stewart Mitchell was a longtime educator and principal in the Houston Independent School District. She was born October 3, 1928, to Reverend Timothy and Malinda McBeth Stewart; the fifth of eight children, she graduated valedictorian from Marshall High School in Angleton, Texas, in 1946.
Ernestine Mitchell's teaching career began in Houston in 1957, when she was assigned to teach first grade at the Gregory Elementary School in Freedmen's Town, Fourth Ward. She remained in this position for ten years. In 1967, as a participant in HISD's desegregation efforts, Mrs. Mitchell was asked to become a Crossover teacher. She was transferred to Kolter Elementary School in Southwest Houston, which was populated mostly with the children of prominent Jewish families in the area. Because of her position as Crossover teacher during HISD's desegregation period, Mrs. Mitchell was transferred rapidly from school to school as teacher and assistant principal as part of the school system's desegregation plan. She simultaneously returned to college and earned a Master of Education degree as well as an administrative certification. In 1973, she was assigned to Allen Elementary School as principal and, after three years of concerted efforts, had one of the most productive schools in the district. Mrs. Mitchell retired in 1988, after 36 years in education.
Ernestine Mitchell's teaching career began in Houston in 1957, when she was assigned to teach first grade at the Gregory Elementary School in Freedmen's Town, Fourth Ward. She remained in this position for ten years. In 1967, as a participant in HISD's desegregation efforts, Mrs. Mitchell was asked to become a Crossover teacher. She was transferred to Kolter Elementary School in Southwest Houston, which was populated mostly with the children of prominent Jewish families in the area. Because of her position as Crossover teacher during HISD's desegregation period, Mrs. Mitchell was transferred rapidly from school to school as teacher and assistant principal as part of the school system's desegregation plan. She simultaneously returned to college and earned a Master of Education degree as well as an administrative certification. In 1973, she was assigned to Allen Elementary School as principal and, after three years of concerted efforts, had one of the most productive schools in the district. Mrs. Mitchell retired in 1988, after 36 years in education.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1)
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by subject and material type.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by: Ernestine S. Mitchell, March 2011
Processing Information
Processed by: Erin Norris, August 2011
- African American women -- History -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African American women -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Education -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gregory Elementary School Subject Source: Local sources
- Kolter Elementary School Subject Source: Local sources
- Public Schools -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Ernestine Mitchell Collection
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of her Records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Erin S. Norris
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Gregory School Repository
