About

Born to Lanis and Margaret Rowland on August 20, 1916, Margaret L. Felty grew up in Paris, Texas, and early on in her life, the importance of education was ingrained in her mind and heart. A 1934 graduate of Paris Public Schools, she went on to attend Paris Junior College from 1934-1936. During this time, she met her husband, L.T. Felty, and they were married on April 17, 1936. In the fall of 1940, the family moved to Waxahachie. For many years, Ms. Felty served as a homemaker and “room mom” for her children’s schools. In 1956, she returned to Texas Christian University to obtain her teaching degree and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She completed her student teaching under the direction of Savola Shackelford at Ferris Ward Elementary in Waxahachie.

In January 1959, Ms. Felty began teaching second grade at Northside Elementary and remained there until 1976. During her tenure at Northside, she taught both first and second grades and became a role model for both teachers and students. Ms. Felty was instrumental in bringing the Head Start program to Waxahachie ISD, which enabled economically disadvantaged children to get a “head start” before enrolling in kindergarten. Her time in the classroom funneled her desire to once again go back to school, and in 1982, she earned a Master of Arts Degree in History from the University of Texas at Arlington. Ms. Felty’s dedication and commitment to educating all children who walked through her classroom doors influenced many to go on and become teachers themselves.