Edna Warren Simmons
Teacher for 46 years – overnight, she went from a graduating high school student to teacher in the same school
(11/3/1897-1996)
When Edna Warren Simmons completed her segregated high school in Charles County there were no teachers available to teach the students. She was asked by the school supervisor to “stay on” as a substitute teacher until a teacher could be found. She “stayed on” for 30 years (1922 -1952) at McConchie School, a one-room schoolhouse, teaching all the grades from 1st to 7th grade. Students from ages six through 16 learned reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and geography. Alumni remember Mrs. Warren Simmons as a very caring, conscientious and strict teacher who always placed the welfare of her students first. The school closed in 1952 due to a consolidation of colored schools with those of nearby Port Tobacco. Her favorite age group were 1st graders.
She worked with many influential African American educators in Charles County including Mr. Gwynn and Mr. Joseph Christopher Parks. In 1927, she received her teaching certificate from Bowie State and Morgan College. After the segregated schools merged with the Port Tobacco “colored” schools, she continued to teach for 16 more years, giving her 46 years of teaching experience and influencing young lives. During her tenure, she worked with Mr. William A. Diggs and her principal was Mrs. Mary B. Neal, both are honored as namesakes for two Charles County elementary schools.
Edna Warren Simmons was born near Ironsides, Maryland on November 3, 1897. She had 11 siblings. Education was very important to her father. He wanted all of his children to be educated and placed great emphasis on his desire for her to become a teacher.
Additional Resources
Southern Maryland Studies Center, Oral History Transcript of Interview with Edna Warren Simmons, Southern Maryland Studies Center, OH-00136 Transcript (csmd.edu)
Interview available as MP3 file or WAV: ssoh000136 (1:35:50) An oral resource on rural life and the segregated schools between 1897 – 1996 in Charles County.
https://www.explorecharlescounty.com/see-do/history-and-heritage/african-american-history-and-heritage/mcconc Video on the McConchie school.
