Millicent Burgess facts for kids

Millicent Carey Burgess (born 1923) is a Canadian educator. She is known for her important work in schools. She may have been the first Black teacher to work for the Toronto District School Board. This made her a pioneer in education.

Early Life and Education

Millicent Carey Burgess was born in 1923. Her parents were James and Doris Carey. After finishing high school, she worked as a substitute teacher for several years. This means she filled in for other teachers when they were away.

Studying to Become a Teacher

In 1950, Millicent received a special scholarship from the Bermuda government. This scholarship helped her study at Hamilton Teachers' College in Canada. She then completed her last two years of studies at Toronto Teachers' College. This prepared her to become a full-time teacher.

Teaching Career

After finishing her studies, Millicent Burgess returned to Bermuda. She taught there for three years, helping many students learn and grow.

Moving to Canada

In 1954, she married Edward Leroy Burgess in Bermuda. The couple decided to move to Canada the very next year. Millicent first worked as a clerk for Blue Cross Canada in Toronto. She did this for one year. After that, she started looking for a teaching job again.

Becoming an Elementary School Teacher

Millicent Burgess became an elementary school teacher. She taught young students in Toronto. While teaching, she also continued her own education. She earned a BA degree from the University of Toronto. She did this by attending night classes, which shows her dedication to learning.

Retirement

Millicent Burgess retired from teaching in 1989. She had a long and impactful career in education.

Community Involvement

Millicent Burgess was also active in her community. She joined important groups that worked to support Black women and the Black community in Canada.

Working with Organizations

• Since 1958, she has been a member of the Canadian Negro Women's Association (CANEWA). This group later became known as the Congress of Black Women of Canada.
• From 1957 to 1989, she worked as a consultant with the Toronto Board of Education. In this role, she helped guide decisions about schools and students.

Awards and Recognition

Millicent Burgess has been recognized for her contributions.

Honoring Her Work

• In 2012, she received the Reverend Addie Aylestock Award. This award came from the Ontario Black History Society. It honored her important work and legacy.