Proof of Civilization

For all its frustrations, teaching seemed to offer proof to women that their civilizing mission to society was succeeding.   It was certainly a satisfying career for a single frontier woman, and helped women have options other than just marriage.  An increasing number of them chose to teach first, marry second.

Frontier women in general, whether nurses, seamstresses, clerks, domestics, even prostitutes were underpaid and undervalued, generally not making enough to even support themselves.  So the question of teacher pay and respect is most certainly not new - we can credit that as far back as the frontier...

Next time...an actual test from a one room schoolhouse.  How will you do? Hint: Makes Jeopardy look like lst grade :)