The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-30
MRS. BERKSHIRE, TEACHER IN ARIlNCRE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE ESTABLISHMENT
q YEARS AGO, NOT READY TO QUIT HER
WORK; TELLS MANY FACTS OF INTEREST

my work on my heart, and get up
with it on my heart and never loaf
the job"' This remark by Mrs Joe
s. Berkshire, lovingly called Miss
Mamie" by hundreds Of Ardmore
children and their parents. sums up
in n measure-her whole life.
That she Is no Stacker is clearly
evidenced by the remarkable record
she has attained as teacher in Ard
moro public schools. since their es-
tablishment 22 years ago, and prob
ably no teacher in the state Of Okla
homa can so proudfully boast o. the
fact Of teaching the children OF
children--she taught years ago. as can
49, Mamie
The ANimore Public schools We're
established in 1899. In a most inter-
estng way this teacher, who started
with the school, and who has grown
with the school, tells something Of
the history Of Ardmore and the ever
increasing success of the citys great
est nsset--the public schools.
II have taught in Ardmore Public
Schools, since the first year Of their
establishment 22 years ago." Mrs.
Berkshire stated "and when / review
the past, and think OF the present,
IL never ceases to be q marvel to me,
developed.
"Ardmorc schools today rank with
The best in the United States. There
are many outstanding features Of the
past 10 years which have placed us
where we are.
From frame buildings heated with
wood stoves. later gas, we have nagni-
fcent brick buildings, steam heated.
During Past 10 Years
During the term Of the present
superintendent, G. ". Richards, we
have replaced the gas stoves with
steam in all OF the buildings; we
have installed sanitary drinking foun-
tains; we have enlarged Inc capa-
city of the ward schools fifty per
cent: Il new senior high school, the
architectural structure which, is un-
excelled in the state, has been erect
ed; the new Junior high school now
under construction, is rapidly being
finished; we have systematiZed the
work with a new course Of study. in
all the grades; enlarged the course
o. study by extending the high school
course one year; we have added do
nestle science, manual training, COM
mercial course, teachers training
course printing, special course in
somc hygiene, under supervision OF
q registered nurse; added the de-
lurtment of educational research and
vocational guidance, which has been
adopted by leading schools in the
United States, and which is rapidly
being recognized by other educational
centers as a department of great i'm
portance. DIR. A. F.. Winship, the emf
nent educator, publisher and editor
stated in his Journal OF Education
that we are carrying on this work
much better than any other school il
the United States; the teaching corps
has been enlarged $50 per cent; the
salaries increased from s45 to s5C
per month for grade teachers for
months teaching, TO 500 10 sl3(
at IL months year; we We're th'
first TO establish the l2-months con
tract FOR teachers.
And among score of other things
might add that wc have supervised
play, that our Fairgrounds are squip
ped with the latest OF modern i'm
provonent. that all o. our schools
Ia every department are moderr
Throughout.
Hon. John Gait. Mayor
.tt the time tho ArImorc public
schools were established Ardmore ha,
II population OF about 5000. Hon. Johr
l.. Calf was mayor of the city. w
had lhrec schols, two private and I
Catholic school
When the public school system wa
Der OF the newly organized schoo
board. erected a frame building an,
presented II 10 the board. The build
ing was situated near where the Rocl
Island crosses South Washington
street. now. We also had anothe
building. known as tho old King build
ing, located near the site OF the pres
ent High School building, The boar
rented this building from Mr.. Kin
and later he was elected principal Q
that particular school.
I'VE had about le teachers. Tn
primary teachers were paid a salar
OF something like s35, the grad
teachers $50, while the principals Re
ceivcl the inunificicnt sum of $50, Ia
superintendent receiving from ;i,eo
to $500 per year.
There was an enrolment OF soyc
or eight hundred children. he grad
ing system was not thoroughly estat
llshed and In my room. the primary
children whose ages ranged from { I
li years
They were Il conglomcratcd mas
indeed Il was the hardest prot
lem to get the parents to send IN
chilircn to school II was uc'
experience for them and while mon
appreciated the opportunity you kno'
II was Ia the Indian Territory dag
and there We're also great man