Irena Anna Szewiola (Suchecki)Teacher, counselor, adminstrator
Born Boston, MA, Jan. 5, 1928; married Fred Szewiola; children: Krystyna, Suzanna.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Boston University 1950; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Master of Science (M.S.), University of Southern California (USC) 1957.
Languages: Polish, English.
Career: Teacher, Montana, Wisconsin; teacher, counselor, adminstrator, Los Angeles, Unified School District 40 years, college instructor 7 years.
Member of: leader in numerous local, state and national conferences on business, education and sex equity in education, 20 years, Polish American community in Boston, MA, Boston Polish Students' CIub section 1946-50, Boston Krakowianki CIub 1944-50, Sarmatia International newsietter editor 1944-50, Polish University Club (PUC), board directors, 1983, Polish American Historical Association (PAHA) California chapter, vice president, 1981, executive secretary, 1982, board directors 1983-90, Polish American Congress (PAC) Anti-Defamation Committee, 1987-90.
Volunteer: American Relief for Polish Resettlement of Displaced Persons 1948-50, advocate tor proper resettlement of Polish refugees 1982-84, teacher of English 1982-83 (Our Lady of Bright Mt.).
Awards: Certificates of Recognition for outstanding contributions to women's educational equity by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education 1981, 1983, 1988, grant recipient Kosciuszko Foundation, "Teaching English in Polish Program" 1992, 1993 in cooperation with UNESCO of Poland.
Resident: Sepulveda, CA.
From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.
Irena Anna Szewiola (Suchecki)
Secondary school teacher, administrator
Born Jan. 5. 1928, Boston (MA), U.S.; daughter of Stanislaw and Anna (Midura); married Fred Szewiola; children: Krystyna, Suzanna.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Boston University, 1950; University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), 1951-52; Master of Science (M.S.), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1956; professional teacher certificate, California Teaching Pupil Personnel Services, Administrative Credentials and Language Development Specialist Life Credentials.
Career: teacher (English, business), Custer High School (MT), 1950-51, Montello Union Free High School (WI), 1951-52; teacher, assistant girls' vice principal, Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles, 1953-60; teacher, school psychometrist, Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles, 1960-68; head, counselor, Columbus Jr. High School, Los Angeles, 1970-71; girls' vice principal, Canoga Park High School (CA), 1971; assistant principal, 5 junior high schools and 5 senior high schools, 1972-90; teacher, Monroe High School, Los Angeles, 1990-91, and Hale Middle School, Woodland Hills (CA), 1991 -; teacher, group leader, Teaching English in Polish Program, Lomza, 1992, Cracow, 1993, Gdansk, 1994.
Author: contributor to several Los Angeles Unified School District curriculum publications.
Member of: Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, 1968-90; commissioner, Sex Equity Commission, Los Angeles Unified School District, 1985-90; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.) (Anti-Defamation Committee member, 1986-92); Kosciuszko Foundation; Polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.); museum guide, "The Polish Spirit" exhibition, Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles, 1980; English teacher, Program for Polish Refugees, Our Lady of Bright Mount Church, Los Angeles, 1982-83.
Honors: certificates of recognition, Executive Director Commission for Sex Equity, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1990, Los Angeles City Board of Education, and Schools' Supervisor of Los Angeles Unified School District, 1988, 1990.
Affiliation: Roman Catholic.
Languages: English, Polish.
Hobby: writing letters defending Polish people and Poland against defamation.
Home: 16045 Parthenia Street, North Hills, CA 91343.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.