Thurza M. McElman
Thurza M. McElman
| Born | 1885-07-15 Billerica, MA |
| Died | 1954-06-02 Lowell, MA |
| Richardson School Teacher | |
| In Office | 1912 - 1915 |
| Pollard School Teacher | |
| In Office | 1915 - 1931 |
| Ditson School Principal | |
| In Office | 1931 - 1954 |
Thurza M. McElman was born in 1885 to Matthew and Alice, immigrants from Nova Scotia. She attended the Pollard School in the 1890s and she graduated from the Howe school in 1912. That same year, she began teaching at the single-room Richardson School. Three years later, in 1915, she was brought to teach sixth grade at the Pollard School. In 1931, the Ditson School opened and Thurza was brought on as the first principal, while also still teaching the sixth grade there. After a 42-year career in the Billerica school system, Thurza resigned due to illness, and passed shortly thereafter on June 2, 1954. She is buried in North Cemetery, Billerica, MA.