Frontier Teachers: Stories Of Heroic Women Of The Old West, First Edition

by Chris Enss

If countless books and movies are to be believed, America's Wild West was, at heart, a world of cowboys and Indians, sheriffs and gunslingers, scruffy settlers and mountain men―a man's world. Here, Chris Enss, in the latest of her popular books to take on this stereotype, tells the stories of twelve courageous women who faced down schoolrooms full of children on the open prairies and in the mining towns of the Old West. Between 1847 and 1858, more than 600 women teachers traveled across the untamed frontier to provide youngsters with an education, and the numbers grew rapidly in the decades to come, as women took advantage of one of the few career opportunities for respectable work for ladies of the era. Enduring hardship, the dozen women whose stories are movingly told in the pages of Frontier Teachers demonstrated the utmost dedication and sacrifice necessary to bring formal education to the Wild West. As immortalized in works of art and literature, for many students their women teachers were heroic figures who introduced them to a world of possibilities―and changed America forever.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Education, Research, Teaching, Westerns

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six hundred some women went west to bring education to the wild west. Here are the stories of just twelve.

This little book sure does pack a punch. Some of the true life For some of these women, the story is in how they crossed the wild country to get to where they would teach. Mary Graves Clarke survived the Donner Party and taught to support herself when her husband was murdered. Other women set out with the intention of teaching when they arrived, such as Mary Gray McLench.

I had expected there to be more information on the difficulties of teaching itself, different ways the teachers would teach in the absence of books. Brief mentions are made, such as using gravestones to teach reading, and how books were shared. It would have been interesting to see a glimpse of the day-to-day life of the teachers, which was only provided in one example: Anna Weber.

Nonetheless, this was an interesting read, and it didn’t take long to read it. I would recommend it to readers interested in true stories.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there are many books about pioneers coming to the west, there are few concerning female teachers. (Although the Little House on the Prairie books gave us a glimpse!) This book features a biography of twelve women who went far beyond the simple act of teaching by pursuing education and teaching with burning passion. It is a quick enjoyable read and a stirring tale of defying hardships to attain goals.

[Lindsey Luciani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gift from my husband after his trip to Montana :)

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s always interesting to read little known history and I have a special interest in everyday women’s lives. The author chose to write a few pages on each teacher, which doesn’t allow for much depth. I was most moved by the last highlighted teacher, Bethenia Owens-Adair, who overcame difficulties in her personal life and who didn’t allow societal stereotypes to change her dreams. Deciding to find out more about her, I learned that the author had left out her support of eugenics, giving an unbalanced view.

[Camille Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not much to sink your teeth into. It felt like reading a pamphlet that could fly away with one mild gust of wind. These heroic teachers deserved someone more committed to telling their stories!

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

While some of the stories really aren't about teachers, they all have a tie to education. It is an interesting read with a lot of history packed in. Nebraska, Montana, Kansas as well as other western states provide the backdrop for many of the stories. Highly recommend as a read.

[Emma Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Inspiring stories of female teachers traveling west. Many of the stories do focus more on the women's journeys west rather than their years teaching.

[Melissa Wingard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This interesting book tells the stories of women with a love of teaching and looking for adventure. These women wanted to go to the new western frontier and they had an ambition to teach. This book describes the treacherous journey out west that could take up to nine months by covered wagon. Once these various women arrived at their destinations, things were still tough. Sometimes the schools were small or nonexistant and supplies were in short supply. All the women chronicled in this book persevered and were successful in their teaching endeavors.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book thru "Good Reads Giveaway".

This is a history book, often in the words of a Frontier Teacher. It presents important research about our 19th century and includes the many hardships of travel out West. The reasons why individuals chose this difficult path are explained. It is a sensitive and informative tribute to women in general and teachers in particular.

I especially enjoyed the appendix insert of "Readers and Spellers" which demonstrates the value of a moral lesson included in each story that is being told.

[Emily Laaveg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this book would cover more about the day to day and experiences of these teachers, but it was more of a collection of short, and at times, over-simplified biographies of women who happened to be teachers at some point in their lives. I did love a number of the stories, and the few instances where excerpts from the women's daily journals/diaries, but I was left wanting more. Would have loved for this book to be twice as thick in order to include those details and perspectives.

[Sandra Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women are not often written about even though they were there when new territories were being settled. Ms. Enss has written many books on women in the west. Our book group talked about this one and the concensus was that we would not like to live in those times. Women had to be tough both physically and mentally.

[Margy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved thier stories...their gumption, drive, and love of education. I wish I had been one!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love learning about people and their lives. I also love the art of teaching. This should be a great book!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stories about the beginning teachers of the old west. Would be a good book for 14-15 year old girls to read.

[Roxann Kelly]

I enjoy Chris Enss books and plan on reading all of them. When I finish reading one I then share with the history teacher at the school I work at.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything about the old West. This is the story of 12 school teachers who actually taught in very towns during the frontier days.