Background of ‘Normal School’ training for teachers

Students pictured from the 1915 Comet (MHS Yearbook): top row: Ruth Callen, Hazel Andrews, Cora Davis, Jessie Scott, Mae Miller. Second Row: Marie Wockenfuss, Russell Somerville, Belva Rowland, Elizabeth Krieger, Miss Thompson, Osie Gordon, Ruth McBride, Chloe Johnston, Ada Shields. First Row: Christine Schlecht, Mabel Traut, Lola Carroll, Florence Benjamin, Clara Tuttle, Mr. Davis, Marie Lenhart, Miss Whitney. Courtesy

I’ve written about the fact that McCook held a “Normal School” but not really covered what that type of school was. I’ve also written about my maternal grandmother, Flora Goding, who taught school at age 15, carrying a 7 shot revolver with her as she traveled between the school house and home.

It seems quite impossible to us now, but at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s, every child going to school for an education meant that this country needed teachers and Normal School was a preparatory school for educators!

According to the 1915 MHS Comet, McCook Schools received a Normal School Training appropriation from the state of $ 350.00 per year for providing this training. While that may well have been a lot of money in 1915, I doubt that would educate the 19 students and pay the three teachers shown in the attached picture! If my inflation calculator is correct, it only equates to $8,400 and some change.

McCook was quite proud of the teaching program, as well it should have been. The Comet boasted that: “Several of the largest and strongest country schools are now taught by graduates of this course, notably, the schools at Red Willow and Perry, one being taught by Ida Gordon, the other by Minnie Viersen, both of the Class of 1913. Helen Couse, Anna Amsden, Agnes Clark, and Florence Wilson, of this same class are also teaching in the country. It should not be overlooked that this department of the class of 1913 has the honor of furnishing the present County School Superintendent, Julia Barnes.”

The 1914 graduates teaching in rural schools included: Agnes Benjamin, Olive Clark, Helen Hermanson, Eunice Ford, Helen Kunert, and Izora Rolfe. The same professions still benefited from the 1912 class- Ada Heskett, Susie McBride, Kathryn Griffith, and Theresa Gatewood, the latter of which taught kindergarten at West Ward here in McCook.

The benefit of taking the course was actually being certified as a teacher. Again, history tells us that children were for the most part taught by whoever was available, mothers or older siblings before schools were formed, and sometimes just by the one person in the area that could actually read, write, and do arithmetic. Many children attended only when their help was not needed on the farm, in the store or at home with the younger siblings.

Many normal schools became colleges (one of the most famous being UCLA) and perhaps McCook’s normal school was the inspiration for McCook Junior College. Those students who successfully completed the course were awarded a second grade certificate (not as in the grade in school) and after one year of teaching experience they qualified for a first grade certificate.

Included in the picture attached were Miss Whitney who taught the Minor Reviews; Miss Thompson, the Major Reviews; Mr. Davis, the Pedagogy ( the art, science, or profession of teaching).

I find that my DNA tests have provided more questions than answers but I am hoping that during our October Expo (October 14, 2017), I can get some of those questions put to rest. My Davison side has been quite intriguing over the years and DNA has not helped as much as I had hoped. A cousin that shared the same great-great grandfather did not show up on my results but we both showed up on the results a male cousin, whose great-great grandfather was a brother to ours, recorded. Mysteries abound when the tests are taken by males and females. Mark your calendars and download your DNA results to bring with you!