Faculty Files
When reviewing a school system’s effectiveness, it’s important to understand if the faculty was capable of accomplishing program goals. Were their credentials and skills adequate to the task? Were they instructed in their subjects and contemporary methods of teaching? If there were part-time faculty, were they appropriate to the mission? Though many white instructors in the early years were trained,[1] as various Superintendents observed, there was a disparity between white and “colored” teachers. This was partly due to the modest salaries; it was difficult to attract teachers of equal standing to whites, but adequate funding was hard to come by, especially during the great depression, World War Two and in the 1950’s. A major goal of the project is to learn about the instructors at both white and black schools. This section will list every teacher we can locate, as well as supervisors. Of social interest will be records of Teacher Institutes and workshops, which were efforts by instructors to improve their techniques. The philosophies of hiring and management are also covered. Keep in mind that during the secregated era every schoolhouse had a supportive League of Patrons who provided funds. This was separate from the PTA system adpted in later years. Patrons were parents and others interested in supporting a school.
[1] In 1889, Superintendent Shumate made the point that he could not acquire enough well trained teachers, due to the poor salaries. When hired, she used the time as an opportunity to become trained for better paying jobs. See Report by L.M. Shumate, for Schools Closing July 31, 1889 in 3.3 Annual School Reports (1887/88 to 1892/93 1906/07 to 1917/18).
Teacher Institutes
Supervisors
Workshops
Philosophy