Pioneer Teachers in Rural America

As the American border stretched westward, the education of the pioneer children was a concern of many families. In some small communities, private academies or church schools provided education for those who could afford to receive a “purposeful education” but as the country grew, so did the need for public education.

In 1835, Missouri legislature approved the development of a public school system and by 1840, many townships in Monroe County had formed school districts. But from the beginning, the township schools lacked sufficient money and were “looked down on”. The early schools were both socially and educationally inferior as terms were short, the teacher’s pay was uncertain and some teachers did not qualify. The families who could not afford to send their children to private schools seldom bothered with the so-called free ones, only sending their children after crops were in or during the winter. 

Teachers were certified by three grades: the first grade for a term of three years, the second grade for a term of two years, and a third grade for a term of one year. The certification grade that each teacher obtained depended on age, years of teaching experience, and the number of correct answers that s/he received on the certification examination.

Teaching in a one-room or wildcat school was a difficult job. There were multiple grades, one through eight, and often students were taught one at a time rather than as an entire class. In the early years, it was likely that each township school would have a new teacher every year so the class would be forced start all over again. Nonetheless, it was a beginning and many dedicated teachers rose to meet the challenges of educating pioneer children.

Source: Various articles to include the “History of Springfield, MO Public Schools” Ch 1 by R. Grosenbaugh and “Pioneer Teachers” at http://www.naturshift.org/oldsite/natureshift/curricua/Grandparent_Attic/school/gpa_pioneer.htm. LPP