The Detroit times., 1915-10-23
Ella Flagg Young Has
Been a Real Educator

Ella Flagg Young, Chicagos superin'
tendent of public schools, has resigned
after six successful but strenuous years
She is 70 years old and feels that the
work necessary to the position coupled
with the "heckling" which she has been
obliged to undergo from school board
controlled, largely, by a political ma
chine, is more than she wishes TO subject
herself to longer.
When Mrs. Young was made Superln-
4 tendent in 1909, six candidates, five OF
them men, were seeking the office. Zach
I was given hearing regarding his ideas
on the management and general admin
istration of school affairs. Mrs. Young
{ was heard last, was allowed to talk two
hours and was unanimously chosen, the
first woman to hold this position in any
large city of the United States and,
probably, in the world.
The board, which at that time con-
sisted of Is men, stood by her Loyalty,
and all went well for time. Her force
full personality, clearness of view, grasp
Of affairs and executive ability straight
ened out many tangled questions con-
cerning school matters which had been
thwarting the best educational achieve
ment for many years. She knew, per-
sonally, every teacher in Chicago and
was in touch with their work. She did
not believe in "fads" but exerted her
energies toward manual training in all
GRADES and in the efficiency of night
schools, endeavoring in this way TO edu-
cate and help the poorer, less privileged
population. She insisted upon fresh air
In every room and was not hoodwinked
by special ventilating systems, change
Of text books and the various activities
& which help to fill certain pockets and
\ Empty others. She was for the people
!. first, last and always, and the people
Y knew 1t.
When a new and larger school board
assumed office, it was distinctly
opposed to Mrs. Young's methods
Il was determined to Dust her and
& did, at last, succeed in forcing her
{ resignation in January, 1914 The women
OF Chicago, $4,000 strong rose in a body,
and demanded her Reinstatement and
Il the mayor backed them up. requesting
Il the designations of a number Of mem
bers Of the board Mrs. Young resumed
her position, but other methods were
4 then pursued by her enemies and, at last
worn out with the struggle, she has
decided to quit.
Mrs. Young was for AZ years in schoo
work in Chicago and had taught every
grade from the first to occupying a chair
of pedagogy in the Chicago university Il
which she was appointed by Presiden
Harper in spite of prejudice which h.
held against women educators. In thi
position she followed the plan of Plat
'S and Socrates, teaching her pupils il
Informal manner. through conversation
which she held in her home Her frs
position brought her S25 month an
4 her last $4,000 year, but. in between
was life time of devoted teaching ol
the highest plane, with a singleneSs o
purpose, calm judgment and reserve o
power which compelled attention am
achieved results from pupils whether il
the first grade or in college.
Born in Buffalo in 1916, the daughte
Y of distinguished mathematician, sh,
y came to Chicago when young girl. He,
father taught her mathematics, in which
Is ohe was unusually well grounded. Sh,
maxried young. but her husband die,
within a year, and from that time sh,
kt1ced teaching as her life work.
e Qf her trying experiences, sh,