Ethel T. Houser, faculty member and administrative staff for the RCSD, is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her dedicated service to the students of the district and community as a whole.

Ethel was born in Castleton, VT, where she graduated high school and received her degree in teaching from Castleton State Teachers College in 1940. During WWII, she worked in the Springfield, MA armory, assembling M-1 rifles for the military. She received her Master's degree from SUNY Albany sometime later, doing post graduate work at Siena College, Russell Sage and SUNY Oneonta.

She began her elementary teaching career previously in Vermont and after moving to Rensselaer, began teaching mathematics at Fort Crailo Junior High School. She held positions of principal of Fort Crailo and Assistant Principal of Van Rensselaer High School, then Principal.

As a volunteer she was one of the initial and ongoing contributors of her time and finances to the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club from 1956-88. She also was involved in the formation of the city's Little League at this time, was active in Cub Scouts, Ladies' Auxiliary and the PTA while her two sons were young.

Ethel lived in Rensselaer, and gave back to the community for most of her life. She retired and moved to Cape Neddick, ME in 1988, following her husband's death. She passed away in 2001 at the age of 83.

Ethel was nominated by her son, John '62, who now lives in Virginia with his wife. She had 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

John Houser III and his son, John Houser IV accept their mother Ethel Houser's award.