Florence: The true story of a country schoolteacher in Minnesota and North Dakota

by Audrey K. Wendland

Book by Wendland, Audrey K.

335 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography of an early 20th century schoolteacher in the pioneering plains of Minnesota and North Dakota. Especially interesting were the descriptions of the various small one-room schoolhouses where she taught, all very different from one another, in both student composition, design, governing school boards, and so on. It was nice to read more about the Normal School movement of the Midwest, which was the stepping stone for many to become school teachers, with a limited certificate since the sessions were not considered colleges, but preludes to a teaching career (that might eventually include attending a larger college). Very good illumination of so much of what occurred throughout the Midwest, including descriptions of teachers ‘boarding’ at pupils’ homes.

[Kristin]

I loved reading the true story of this young girl who becomes a one-room rural school teacher in 1917 to 1919.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and well researched. The photos from that era which were included give the reader a true feel for those times. She had such courage and spunk for a young woman.