Teachers in Earlier Times

Much was expected from teachers in the 1800's, especially in rural areas and very small towns. The rules varied from place to place, because the regulations were made by the local school boards, but there were some common ones that appeared in most locations. 

Often teachers had to live in the homes of their students and were expected to attend church on Sunday. The school boards also regulated how far they could travel without asking the board, and some wouldn't allow them to leave the town or county without special permission.

 Besides teaching all grade levels, teachers were also expected to keep the school neat and clean and do janitorial duties. This included tasks like keeping lanterns filled and their chimneys clean and maintaining a fire during the cold months from 7 a.m. until school dismissed, all without any extra pay. 

If any teacher was seen smoking, drinking liquor, playing billiards, gambling, or sometimes even getting a shave in a barber shop for men, they would be dismissed. Men were likely granted one evening a week for courting purposes.

Women were a different story. If they were seen keeping company with men who weren't related, they could be dismissed. They were not allowed to marry and keep their positions. In fact, they usually had to be home during the hours of 8 p.m and 6 a.m., unless they had a school function to attend. They were never to dress in bright colors, must wear two petticoats at all times, and have dresses that came nearly to the ankles. 

You might wonder why, coupled with the low pay, communities didn't have a harder time finding teachers. For one thing, for a long time, this was one of the few occupations acceptable for an unmarried woman.

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