Life as a teacher has evolved dramatically over the years: some of these changes include extreme testing, increase of paper work and rise in behaviour issues etc. But I was inspired to dig deeper in history and find out what life was like as a teacher almost 100 years ago and how it compares to modern teaching.
Check out this teachers contract from 1923!
Check out this teachers contract from 1923!
Wow, ok so let's break this down...
Sounds so appealing doesn't it?!
Although, you might have noticed that there is no mention of actually teaching the students..! No lesson plans are required, no parents evenings or meetings mentioned, no testing or pressure of results, no reports to fill out, and no break duties!
What are your thoughts on this? Would you happily take all the extra paper work and other pressures of modern teaching over this contract? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
- Teachers (all women it seems) were not allowed to get married.
They had to devote themselves to teaching (well some things don't change!).
In fact, not only were they not allowed to get married, they were forbidden from even talking to men or being near them... (No men. Men are bad. Teachers must be socially inept when it comes to men. Got it.)
- No hanging out in those seedy ice cream stores in town. How very dare they...
- Not allowed to even leave town without permission (is this is a teaching contract or a parole contract?)
- Forbidden from leaving their home from 8pm-6am. (Wait... what?!)
- No smoking and no drinking. Immediate sack if they try and unwind at the end of the day.
- No bright colours - nothing that says "happy". Teachers are, and must remain, dull.
- No hair dye. Every strand of grey hair must be visible at all times.
- One petticoat will not suffice. They must wear at least 2. This is to create a large barrier around them to prevent men getting close.
- Feel free to show those ankles ladies! But if you even consider revealing a knee...
- Seeing as teachers were not allowed to get married and have families, obviously they should perform all their "house-wifely" duties in the classroom instead and be on their hands and knees scrubbing the floors. (Some still do this!)
- Oh, and all for $75 (£49) a month...
Sounds so appealing doesn't it?!
Although, you might have noticed that there is no mention of actually teaching the students..! No lesson plans are required, no parents evenings or meetings mentioned, no testing or pressure of results, no reports to fill out, and no break duties!
What are your thoughts on this? Would you happily take all the extra paper work and other pressures of modern teaching over this contract? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Check out my previous blog post!
