News: Curtiss – Early Days of Teaching
Transcriber Stan

Surnames: Rowe

----Source: Olson Family Scrapbook

In the late 1920's and 1930's, many of the teachers who taught in rural schools received their training from Teacher Training Schools, here they received one year of training, qualifying them to teach grades one through eight in the rural schools.

Upon completing one year of training, they received a teacher's certificate, granted under Section 39.08 (statutes of 1930-1937) the requirements for teachers in the state of Wisconsin. The certificates were of three kinds; first grade, second grade, third grade, issued by the teaching institution attended. The certificates were awarded according to the record of achievement and quality of work accomplished by the individual. They could be renewed by completing certain requirements. A third grade certificate could be changed to a first grade certificate after completing three years of successful teaching approved by the County Superintendent and the County Supervisors. This would be valid for five years. A second grade certificate could be raised to a third grade certificate in the same manner, but would be valid for two rears. By the 1940's, these requirements were changed and the teachers became involved in summer schools held at the State Normal Schools.

During this period of time, Clark County was divided into sections. Each teacher would attend the sectional meetings. To keep the teaching certificate valid each teacher would read and report on a number of books from the list designated by the County Supervisors office. Examples: "Prevention and Correction of Reading Difficulties" and "Education of the Slow Learning Child", recorded in Clark County Teacher's Reading Circle.

Teachers would arrive at school between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. to make preparations for the day. This included building a fire when the season demanded. Each class was 10 or 15 minutes long. All eight grades involved classes in reading, writing, arithmetic, language, spelling agriculture, geography, civics, history and physiology. The school dismissed at 4:00 p.m.

Teaching salaries were low, between $75.00 and $95.00 per month. The depression ruled the economy and the bank moratorium was in effect. If the board paid on time, teachers were fortunate. There were several years when the salary was paid in scrip by the banks in Wisconsin.

Curtiss had a State Graded School. The school was con-trolled by the state and had state supervision. Lessons plans were required to be written at least six weeks in advance to retain status of a first class school. Dale Spry was one of the principals at Curtiss in the early 1930's.

Assignments were given to pupils at three levels. Level C lessons were the minimum work for less than average students. Level B for the average and Level A for the above average.

Submitted by: Byrl Rowe