Betty Nesbitt Rowell is a native of Champaign, Illinois. She
is the daughter of the late Herbert E. Nesbitt (Inman Hotel chief
cook) and Pauline Gillespie Nesbitt (homemaker). She is the youngest
of ten children. She was married to the late Phillip M. Rowell,
community activist, in 1979. They have one son, Phillip Maurice
Lewis Owens Nesbitt Rowell, II born in 1982.
Mrs. Rowell has dedicated her life to educating students at the
elementary school level. She was inspired by former educators
such as Jim Casey, Maudie Edwards, Isabelle Buckner, Gerald Yaxley,
Odelia Wesley, Ruth Fliegel, Ruth Calimese, Helen Johnson, Kenneth
O. Stratton and Tom Pitchett. At age 12, Betty was afflicted with
a potentially life-threatening disease, consequently she was denied
an opportunity to continue her education for an entire year. This
contributed to her insatiable desire to learn and teach others.
Betty received her Bachelor's degree in elementary education
from Illinois State University in 1971. Her first teaching position
was in first grade at Carman Elementary School in Waukegan, Illinois
until 1974. She earned her Master's degree in educational policies
studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976. Upon
returning to Champaign, she taught at Robeson elementary School
from 1976-1979. Betty worked for Ginn/Xerox Publishing Company
as a copy editor in the Boston area and Motorola, Inc. in Schaumburg,
Illinois as an account representative. In 1985, she returned to
teaching and is proud to teach at Stratton Elementary School.
The most recent honor was a WICD-TV 2001 Golden Apple Award for
her commitment to excellence in teaching. Betty enjoys spending
time with her family and enjoys going to church.
Betty Taulese Nesbitt Rowell
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denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.