EARLY DAYS IN THE TOWN OF LYMAN
by Bela Foster
Continuing . . .
by Bela Foster
Continuing . . .
It is fitting that we mention the early teachers of this community. Years ago when school teachers were not so numerous and the terms of school were short the people looked to a teacher as a little above the average of humanity. In those days it seems that it was necessary for a teacher to live a life that harmonized with the life the people thought he ought to live. His failure to do so was equal to a resignation and he sought new pastures.
There was a winter term of three months and a summer term of three months. The winter term was December, January, and February and the summer term was June, July and August. A man teacher was needed for winter when the young men were in school. In the summer months a lady teacher was required. With three exceptions my teachers were all ladies.
By 1880 most of the country schools had changed to seven or eight months school per year. Our school gave us only three winter months until 1881 when the large pupils petitioned for a four months term and was granted the request.
That was about the time they began to hire teachers by the year. Many of those early teachers were from Onarga Seminary. Teachers worked under much more unfavorable conditions than in recent years. Supplies and black board were limited. Frequently two pupils used the same set of books. In our school we had about 48 square feet of black board for nearly fifty pupils in winter. Others were the same. Some were worse. In order to give extra work it was necessary for the teacher to double his energies.
--Roberts Herald. 27 November 1935.
There was a winter term of three months and a summer term of three months. The winter term was December, January, and February and the summer term was June, July and August. A man teacher was needed for winter when the young men were in school. In the summer months a lady teacher was required. With three exceptions my teachers were all ladies.
By 1880 most of the country schools had changed to seven or eight months school per year. Our school gave us only three winter months until 1881 when the large pupils petitioned for a four months term and was granted the request.
That was about the time they began to hire teachers by the year. Many of those early teachers were from Onarga Seminary. Teachers worked under much more unfavorable conditions than in recent years. Supplies and black board were limited. Frequently two pupils used the same set of books. In our school we had about 48 square feet of black board for nearly fifty pupils in winter. Others were the same. Some were worse. In order to give extra work it was necessary for the teacher to double his energies.
--Roberts Herald. 27 November 1935.
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