Ruahmah J. Hutchings

Hutchings was a longtime Howell educator, who received her primary education through Howell Schools. She was a student in the one room Crittenden School and went on to graduate from Howell High School in 1930. Hutchings received her teaching certificate as well as Master’s Degree in Elementary Education ₁. 

In her own words in 1976, as found in the Howell Bicentennial, these are the changes that occurred over the many years between being a student to being a teacher: 

Then: One room schools located throughout the county. 

            Now: Centralization for instruction. 

Then: Children walked to school. 

           Now: Boys and girls are bussed to school. 

Then: Teacher and pupils preparing one hot dish to add to lunches brought from home. 

          Now: Children may buy a complete meal at the school cafeteria. 

Then: For warmth, the teachers built the fires, and older pupils took turns keeping fuel in the stove. 

          Now: teachers turn a thermostat to regulate heat ₂.

The Ruahmah J Hutchings Elemenarty School is named in her honor. Hutchings also left a bequest to Howell Schools to create a scholarship that was "not completely based on academic achievement" ₃. 

1. School’s Namesake Was Longtime Howell Educator. (2003, August 18). Livingston County Press.
2. Jaehnig, D.L. ed, “The Howell Bicentennial History 1776-1976 (Part 1 of 3), page 140. Located here.
3. School’s Namesake Was Longtime Howell Educator.