While I was researching information about teachers in the late 1800's, I found the most fascinating information, including a set of rules for them.
Below is a picture that shows a one room school house in Jefferson County, Colorado, in 1880. Pictured is the teacher, Miss Nellie Stilling, and her students. This was a typical school in many rural areas in the 19th century where a single teacher taught five to eight grade levels, all subjects.
In most cases, the teacher would arrive very early to start a fire in the pot belly stove, and prepare a hot meal for the students, clean her classroom (most teachers were unmarried women). All this was in addition to her usual duties of preparing lessons and grading papers.
According to "Cowley County Teacher," in this Kansas county, "wages for female teachers, in 1877 and 1878 averaged $25.99; for male teachers, $31.52 per month" (Cowley County Teacher).
Wow, pretty harsh rules and lots and lots of things to do besides teaching, and the male teachers got paid more, so very interesting. Thanks for sharing this. Have a great weekend.
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