The Biography of Mary Helen Campbell Crossland
Mary Helen Campbell Crossland was born and raised on a small farm in the Piney Woods of New Boston, Texas. She is the 9th of ten children born to sharecroppers in Bowie County. This rural region wasn’t known for much of anything except hard work, church, and more hard work. She began working in the fields when she was six years old. Her work ethic was formed at her beloved mother’s knees as she helped her till, sow, tend, and harvest her meager crops.
Highway 8 meandered its way south of town until it intersected U. S. Highway 67. Along this route, obstacles and hard times were to be endured with promises of a better day ahead.
As she reflected on her adventure as a teacher, she recalled that the seed of promise was sown early during her formative years. It geminated in the rich soil of high expectancy from her nuclear family; was prayerfully nurtured by the encouragement of her “village”; and indoctrinated with a sense of urgency by her teachers. She said, “They wanted us to be as prepared as we could be… “Cause a change was gonna come.”
Mary loved to read and this quest lead her to sink her roots of inquiry into the fertile soil of knowledge and seek the refreshing water of enlightenment that soothes those who thirst. These words of wisdom bidden her to accept support for her fragile stem of security. She could thereby stand tall and reach upward toward the brilliant rays of the sun of success that provides nourishment for the soul. The resulting fruit was a teacher who sowed her seeds believing the inherent promise of all seeds: “I’ll grow and reproduce!”
School meant everything to Mary: She admired her teachers and looked forward to participating in Interscholastic League competitions (spelling, typing, writing, orations, debating, etc.) Missing school was rare, even though hunger in class was her constant companion.
By the time Mary reached high school, things academic occupied most of her time and energy. She was chosen valedictorian of her class, thereby earning a 4-year scholarship to Prairie View A&M College. Mary was a member of the National Honor Society, made the Dean’s List every semester, and graduated with honor. After graduation, she turned down a fellowship to study reading in New York. All of Prairie View’s graduates were encouraged to obtain at least a Master’s Degree, attend workshops, and do self-study. Mary received a Master of Education Degree in 1977. During her career, she obtained the following certifications: English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Dyslexia, and Talented & Gifted, TELPAS.
Many accomplishments have made her journey worthwhile. They have manifested themselves in the form of campus, district, and community recognition. This includes excellence in teaching, rewarding career development and consistent high academic achievement by her students (J.N. Ervin and L.O. Donald Academy). Her awards and accomplishment are as follows: Marquis Who’s Who (Outstanding Professional Dedication and Career Longevity) 2017, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003; Co-Chair of Future Teachers of America; Committee Member of Molina’s Academic Fair: Molina Academic Poetry/Spelling Coach; Member of TSTA, NEA, Alliance Association; Teacher- of the-Year five times; Texas PTA Life Membership; Perot Nominee; Oak Cliff Golden Oak Award; James Gates Black Chamber of Commerce Award; Featured in 1984 Temple Inland Inc. Annual Report; Historian/Vice President of Donald’s PTA, Grade Level Chair; CILT(Campus Instructional Leadership Team); Black History Committee Member; Student Teacher Supervisor; Mentor Teacher; Afterschool/Saturday Tutor; Featured on WFAA Channel 8 News during Teacher Appreciation Week, 2019; Workshop presenter; Workshop Facilitator; more than forty years of perfect attendance (352 Local Personal/1232 Local Business/1040 State Personal Business). I worked for 51 years as a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District.
Her community involvement centered mostly around her church, but flowed out into the community: Editor of 8 Christian books written by Dr. Eddie B. Lane; Secretary of Foreign Missions Department; Chair and Co-publisher of the Church’s 25th Anniversary Journal; Deaconess; Decorations Chairperson; Food Committee Member; Black History Committee Member; Language Arts Tutor; Harvest Festival Co-Chairperson; Vacation Bible School Committee Member; Women’s Ministry Member; Church Programs Committee Member; Recipient of Bibleway Institute for Biblical Studies Christian Education Certification; Tyler, Texas Camping Chaperone; Food Pantry Volunteer; Southern Poverty Law Center Member; college students financial supporter; Political Party.
She consistently makes philanthropic financial donations to the following organizations local and nationwide: Habitat for Humanity, Kidney Foundation, Urban Action, Paralyzed Veterans, Saint Jude, St. Labre Indian School, Prairie View A&M University, Veterans of Foreign Wars, UNICEF, Southern Poverty Law Center, St. Joseph Indian School, Disabled American Veterans, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Boys Town, Southern Bible Institute, Shady Grove Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, United Negro College Fund, 180 Life Prison Ministry, Dallas Metroplex Musicians’ Association, Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute, North Texas Giving Day Contributor, and Bibleway Bible Church.
* Her proudest achievement is her beloved, analytical daughter, Dawn Felice Crossland.
