At a time when teachers are burned out and leaving, when teacher shortages are growing, it’s useful to learn about a beloved educator who inspired many children, including her own. And, as it happens, she was the mother of philosopher Cornel West.
Journalist Seth Sandronsky writes about Irene B. West here:
Irene B. West was a trailblazer on many levels. As Elk Grove’s first Black classroom educator in what was a rural community, she enjoyed a long career as a teacher and principal.
The Elk Grove Unified School District named an elementary school after her in 2002. West died in April at age 88…
The school now showcases a stunning memorial mural of West and her favorite saying: “If you can’t be a highway, then just be a trail. If you can’t be the sun, be a star. It isn’t by size that you win or you fail, be the best of whatever you are.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Irene B. West was also the mother of civil rights activist and former Harvard University professor Dr. Cornel West, as well as Clifton West III, Cheryl West and Cynthia (West) McDaniel.
West grew up in Tennessee and graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, came to Sacramento in about 1957 with her husband, Clifton West Jr., who was transferred to McClellan Air Force Base.
Born and raised in the south in the 1930s, you’d think the racial climate of America would make her fearful to go for a teaching job in a place where there were no other Black people. But West didn’t let that stop her.
She worked in the Elk Grove school district for 27 years. Making her way from teacher to principal at Cosumnes River and Franklin Schools all while raising four children.
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Mrs. West was born in Crowley, Louisiana on July 3, 1932 and reared in Orange, Texas. After graduating valedictorian of her high school class, Mrs. West attended the historic Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she met her late husband, Clifton L. West, Jr. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Sacramento (CSUS) and obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco.
And… She was known for visiting the West Elementary campus every December to deliver See’s candy to the staff as a thank you for their hard work. Mrs. West was a huge proponent of early education, helping kids develop a passion for learning, and making learning fun. As a teacher in the 60s, she developed hundreds of games to support math and language arts.
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Kathy, thank you for the additional info!
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What a lovely tribute to a dedicated trailblazer in education. Her legacy lives on in her family and all the students she served over her long career in education.
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