Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-07
THE LADY TEACHERS.
An Authority Says Women Cannot be
Discounted as Principals.
PAID THE WAGES MEN RECEIVE
The Prejudice Against the Female Peda-
gogue is Dead Here.
THEY ARE NOT COLLEGE GRADUATES

| A group of happy youngsters were making
merry in suburban depot the other morn
ing when two stylishly dressed ladies en-
tered.
The younger one Immediately began to
rave over the beauties and destinations of
! childhood in general and as depicted in the
| group Of young Americans in particular.
| The elder one maintained discreet silence
"You don't enter into my enthusiasm at
all regarding these pretty rosy checked lad.
dies, do you?"
"No, I deal in them" was the decidedly
laconic reply. but judging from the speak
| er's appearance it was voted a profitable
business without further inquiry, which re-
vealed the fact that for two months of the
year the lady had a perfect right to be in
| different alike to the virtues and vices of
childhood as she was compelled by her posi-
tion, that OF principal of one OF the city
schools, to take a very active interest IN
youthful humanity the remaining item
months.
She is paid we'll for her interest, however,
as to quote from a gentleman we'll versed
in school matters, ''it is brains. not sex,
that gets the salary in Pittsburg."
"Are there many lady principals in the
city?" was asked the same gentleman.
LADIES WELL REPRESENTED.
"Yes, quite a number. Two new ones
were elected this year, and there were
already II on the list; so you see IA out of
81, the total number OF principals, are
ladies. Their salaries are exactly the same
as men would receive were they occupying
the same positions. In the schools, at least
Pittsburg pays mans pay for mans
work.
"What are their salaries?"
"They range from $500, the minimum, to
s. 900, the maximum. Salaries are gov
erned by the size of the school and the num-
Der of teachers principal must have in
order to successfully conduct it. For in
stance an $500 principal has but three
teachers, while $1,000 one has 80. There
are but two of the $4,000 positions in the
city and honors are easy on that score,
as they are held by lady and gentleman.
Miss NJ. A. Hunter, of the Oakland school,
and Mr.. 81. W. Fisher, of the Washington
school, are the fortunate ones who draw 5000
q month or ten months"
fare ladies as successful as men in such
positions? Yes, they run about even, with
the odds in favor OF the ladies, was going
to say, but upon reflection I conclude had
better crush my gallantry as some of the
mdlt pIluClpdlS arc very muCu ldTRcT tudu
am, but give the ladies few years more
and then see what they will accomplish
PREJUDICE DYING OUT.
Not so very long ago there was such
strong prejudice against them that it was
rare thing indeed to find them occupying the
positions they now hold, and even now there
are many districts and boards of directors
who will not tolerate woman principal,
but that prejudice Is rapidly passing away,
and woman is proving herself capable of
hoeing her own row as skilfully as does her
stern brother.
care most of the lady principals college
graduates?'
No, I do not know that any of them are.
They are High School graduates, and have
commenced teaching in the primary grades
and working their way up through the in
termediate and grammar schools have served
apprenticeship as assistant principals, and
finally have become principals through pro-
gression. The lowest and the highest grades
are recognized as the most difficult, and
teachers in them receive the highest salaries.
The first primary teacher receives $50 and
the grammar school teacher S75, while the
other salaries range from $50 up to $50 in
the primary and from $50 up to $75 in the
grammar department.
TEACHERS A STEADY CLASS.
"Are there many changes made in the
schools from year to year?"
"Not many; the teachers will die, resign
and get married occasionally, but as rule
they are very steady and reliable"
"Will you give list OF the lady princi- |
pals, their salaries and-their ages?"
''Great Seott-their ages. No indeed, I |
will not. I'm not ready to die yet. Their |
names and salaries will give willingly,
though presume when it is known what |
money some OF them make they will be be- |
sieged with marriage proposals and perhaps |
position or two will be vacant in the fall. |
There is Miss Ralston, principal of the |
Normal school department who is voted by |
educators throughout the State as one of |
tine best teachers in Pennsylvania, receives |
81, 700 a year. Miss Virginia Hunter of |
the Duquesne school, $500; Miss NJ. j. |
Graham, of the Grant school, |
$1,000; Miss Mary McElroy, of the
Hancock, 81 400; Miss E. M. Simpson, of |
the Forbes, 81, 800; Miss Katie Neumont, of |
the Ralston, 81, 400; Miss G. c. Hancock, of
the Springfield, 81 400; Miss M. A. Hunter,
of the Oakland. 81, 900; Miss Rose McCleary, |
of the Mt. Albion, 1000; Miss E. NJ. |
Young, of the Highland, 81, 800; Miss Laura
Parker, of the Sterrett, 81, 200; Mrs. M. B. |
Redman, of the Humboldt, 81, 800; MISS M. |
E. Hare. of the Birmingham, 81, 600; Miss |
Ella McCutcheon, of the Knox, 81, 400, and |
Mrs. K. M. Hani, of the Monongahela, $500.