Milton LaZerte
Milton Ezra LaZerte was born June 13, 1885 near Iroquois, Ontario to parents Mary Jane (Thompson) and James Thomas LaZerte. Having earned a BA (1909) from the University of Toronto, LaZerte earned an MA (1925), a BEd (1926), and an MEd (1927) from the University of Alberta as well as a Teacher’s Certificate (1910) from Calgary Normal School and a PhD (1927) from the University of Chicago.LaZerte began his career as a school principal, first in Hardisty, Alberta (1909-11) and later in Medicine Hat, Alberta (1911-23). He also worked as a school inspector (1913-14) in the Alberta communities of Bassano, Macleod, Edmonton, and Vegreville.
From 1917-19, LaZerte was in military service with the 78th Field and 5th Siege Battalions.
LaZerte joined the University of Alberta in 1924, working as a lecturer of philosophy until 1933. From 1927-29, he was an assistant professor of education. He went on to work as an associate professor of education (1929-32) and a professor of education (1932-50). Director of the School of Education (1929-42), LaZerte served as principal of the College of Education (1943-45) and dean of the Faculty of Education (1945-50), retiring as a Professor Emeritus in 1950.
A special professor in Education from then until 1952, LaZerte was research director of the Canadian School Trustees' Association from 1952 until joining the University of Manitoba in 1955 as dean of its Faculty of Education, a role he carried out until becoming Commissioner of School Finance for the Government of Prince Edward Island in 1958.
President of the Alberta Teachers' Association (1937-38) and of the Canadian Teachers' Association (1938), LaZerte was also chairman of the Canadian Council for Educational Research (1939-50), a member of the Canada-US Committee on Education (1944-50), president of the Canada Education Association (1950-51), and a Fellow of the Canadian College of Teachers.
LaZerte, in 1956, became a member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
A member of the Edmonton Public School Board from 1962 to 1971, LaZerte was chairman of the board from 1963-66. He also served as an alderman on Edmonton City Council from 1960-62.
In recognition of his contributions to education, LaZerte, in 1962, was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Council of School Administrators of Alberta. He also earned an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD honoris causa) from the University of Alberta in 1963. Seven years later, Edmonton’s M.E. LaZerte High School was named in his honour.
LaZerte married Hazel Alma Batchelor in 1918; they had three sons, James Donald, Roland Milton, and Curtis Alan.
LaZerte passed away February 2, 1975 in Edmonton, Alberta.