Education of Women in Colonial Times By MacKenzie Wehunt and Grace Jenkins

Important People Catherine Beecher – early feminist; implored female teachers to accentuate their feminine traits and highlight their domestic skills “As if reasoning were any kind of writing or talking which seems to convince people that some doctrine or measure is true or right.”

Important People Emma Willard – established an all girls secondary school in 1821, disseminated her views on opening a education for women “ Genuine learning has ever been said to give polish for men; why then should it not bestow added charm on women.”

Important People Mary Lyon – established Mount Holyoke, a seminary that eventually become a noted women’s college “ When you chose your fields of labor, go where nobody else is willing to go.”

Important People Myrtilla Miner - established the Miner Normal School for Colored Girls “If God allows me to live, I will devote my entire life to teaching slaves.”

Important Dates / Events – Emma Willard’s Troy Female Seminary opens, first endowed secondary school for girls – Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in schools

Important Terms Normal Schools – A two-year teacher education institution popular in the 19 th century Dame Schools – Primary schools in colonial and other early periods in which students were taught by untrained women in the women’s own houses Gender Wall – block to keep girls and boys from interacting

Controversial Topic Is teaching a gendered career? Lunch Table Lisa: Johnny, Why don’t you understand that Mrs. Lfur is a better teacher than Mr. Davidson? Johnny: Because Mr. Davidson is better! Lisa: No, he’s not. Mrs. Lfur is able to connect with her students better. Johnny: Yeah sure but…Mr. Davidson gets straight to the point when he’s teaching unlike Mrs. Lfur who babbles on. Lisa: Well whatever…she’s still my favorite teacher!

Impact on Today’s Education Teaching today is beginning to break through with male teachers. Up until now teaching has been considered a female career. Over the next ten years, the amount of male teachers should increase. Also, the amount of women that go to college and now have high paying careers have increased dramatically. The number of women who go to college is no different from the number of men in the U.S. Although women’s education is good in the U.S., other countries still are prejudice against women being educated. Overall, women teachers and the education of women has increased greatly from how it was in colonial times.

Critical Thinking Questions Do you think there is a higher population of female teachers than male teachers? Would you rather have a man or woman teacher? For what subjects? What are some different teaching techniques that male teachers vs. female teachers use?

Fun Facts Emma Hart Willard was the sixteenth of seventeen children. Mary Lyon’s father died when she was five. Catherine Beecher was the sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Sources Google Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education by David Miller Sadker and Karen R. Zittleman