Political veteran set for teaching career

     By Sonya Padgett
     View staff writer
      Bobbi Youngblood has had a successful 20-year career in politics, including working on Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and Aaron Russo's doomed run for Nevada's governor in 1998.
      Now Youngblood is giving it all up to become a high school teacher.
      The 48-year-old mother of five will culminate her journey in December, when she walks across the stage at the Thomas & Mack Center to receive her master's degree in political science from UNLV. To add to the excitement, Youngblood's 23-year-old daughter will graduate with her, receiving a master's degree in theatre.
      "I'm one of those adults who didn't know what I wanted to do until I grew up," Youngblood joked.
      But she's not completely leaving politics; she hopes to teach political science or American history to high school juniors and seniors.
      Her dedication to political science was rewarded last month when Youngblood won a $12,000 James Madison Fellowship, and a trip to Georgetown University for a four-week institute on the American Constitution.
      The awards, given by the James Madison Foundation, are made to students who demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibility and who are committed to teaching American history, government or social studies to high school juniors or seniors.
      As a young mother living in Texas, Youngblood started her career as a political consultant, recommending people from that state for presidential appointments during the Reagan administration. She also worked on the campaign for former Texas Gov. Bill Clements and went on to head the Texas Crimestoppers program, which is similar to the Metropolitan Police Department's Secret Witness program.
      After moving to Boulder City 15 years ago, Youngblood continued her political work for local candidates, including helping Russo launch his failed bid for governor of Nevada.
      During the past 11 years, she home-schooled her two youngest children from kindergarten through the second grade. That led to a tutoring business where she tutored other children in several subjects.
      "I could tell I must be really gifted (at tutoring)," Youngblood said. "D's and F's came up to A's and B's. Educational consulting was a serendipity kind of thing."
      Born in Athens, Greece, Youngblood came to America as a child with her mother and American stepfather.
      In becoming a naturalized citizen, she learned about the country and acquired a deep sense of patriotism to the United States.
      "I've always been very patriotic," she said. "My first love was politics and to be able to teach that to my students is wonderful."
      Through Aug. 4, Youngblood will student-teach eighth-graders at Von Tobel Middle School.
      Eventually, she wants to teach history, then move on to an administration position, where she hopes to make an impact.
      Her mentor, UNLV political science professor Andrew Tuttle, believes Youngblood will have a positive effect on high school students because she brings to the classroom a wealth of knowledge about government.
      "She has the ability to get her ideas across to students in a way that they understand," he said.
      Tuttle became impressed with Youngblood's abilities when she worked for him as a teacher's assistant last year. As a result, he recommended Youngblood for the Madison award.
      "She's a very diligent person," Tuttle said. "She's an older student and she's been juggling family, work and school. It's tough to come back to school like she did, but she certainly did it with style and grace."
      While the career move is a drastic change for her, Youngblood said she has no regrets about leaving politics, as she feels like she was meant to teach.
      "You get burned out in politics," she said. "I just moved to other areas that interested me. I wholeheartedly believe doors open and shut for you. It just seemed like of all the things I was doing, teaching kids was the most rewarding."