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Emma Hamsher, Thoroughly Modern Twentieth Century Teacher - Part II

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In 1917, Emma Hamsher, a thoroughly modern, Progressive teacher, taught high school Latin, algebra, geometry, English, history, girls’ athletics, drama, dancing, and directed Industrial Arts at the New Mexico Institute for the Blind. The school’s classrooms were light and airy and class sizes were small - six or seven students. For the first few days as the children arrived at school, she visited them when they were being put to bed, starting to get to know them.  She went to bed feeling depressed and wondering if she was capable of teaching these children. Emma found the children delightful, cooperative and willing to learn, with one exception - - the school's greatest athlete, a Navajo boy totally blind from smallpox. Yiacero had never been taught by anyone but a male, and every time she asked him a question, he said, in a staccato voice, “ I don't know.”  She was sure he did know.      She tried all the teaching tools she had learned in college;  she kne...
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Emma Hamsher, Thoroughly Modern Twentieth Century Teacher - Part 1

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New Mexico Institute of the Blind - 1917   T he hero an individual admires says a lot about a person’s character.  But, educators have not often been high on the list of superstars.  Teachers have historically had marketing problems - Miss Frizzle on  Disney’s Magic School Bus  may be the most definable teacher youngsters know. Her catchphrase embraces a learning style:   Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy!  Miss Frizzle's  colorful dresses match the day's lesson with pictures , and her thematic earrings glow when she's about to start a new field trip.   Mr. Rogers, of children's TV fame, is quite the opposite in his conservative cardigan, white shirt, and tie.  His big smile, soft spoken voice, and calmness are near saintly.  He once said, "... anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me".  Many former student have teachers who have been heroes to them, helped them find their purpose, helped them st...
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