Normal School in Yorkton 1915-16 (Became known as Teachers' College). Source: Jackson Collection
On January 3, 1912, a three-month teachers program opened in the Yorkton Collegiate Institute with an enrolment of 28 students. There were two requirements for admission - a minimum age of seventeen and the completion of Grade 11 standing. J. F. Hutchinson and J. M. Anderson (later the Premier of the province in 1929) were the first instructors. The program recognized the need for more teachers as newly arrived immigrants sought educational opportunities for their children. The government also wanted to reach all children of immigrants to ensure an English education. J.M. Anderson is believed to be fifth from the right in this photo, in front of the pillar. The photo is taken at the Yorkton Collegiate.
In 1923, there were 50 students enrolled and the Normal School opened in the basement of Simpson School under the charge of Inspector Wallace. The students also attended the Teachers Convention that was taking place in Yorkton at the time.
A descendant of a student of the Yorkton Normal School, Dr. Dale Standen retired history professor in Ontario called at the City Archives last year. He informed us that his mother Effie McQueen attended a 6 week Normal School course in Yorkton in 1921 where she obtained a temporary teaching certificate and taught in rural schools in the district for 5 years, one of them being the Orkney School.
The last graduating class from the Normal School in Yorkton took place in 1927. We are seeking more history of Yorkton's Normal School.
P.S. The term "normal school" originated in the early 16th century from the French école normale. The French concept of an "école normale" was to provide a model school with model classrooms to teach the "norms" of teaching practices to its student teachers.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton, Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
