Rules For Teachers

One of my favorite reads this past summer was Florence, The true story of a country schoolteacher in Minnesota and North Dakota. This was a book I acquired last summer at the cabin during a family book exchange. I loved the page that outlined the rules for teachers back then. Tomorrow I begin my 19th year of teaching and am sure glad these rules are not in place today!

1915
Rules For Teachers

1. You may not marry during the term of your contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
5. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may not under no circumstances dye your hair.
10. You must wear at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you must: sweep the floor at least once daily; scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water; clean the blackboards at least once a day; and start the fire at 7 a.m. so the room will be warm by 8 a.m.

Whew! It was definitely a different era for teachers but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Audrey Wendland's grandmother (and the photos) and her experiences as a country schoolteacher.