”THE SOUTH BEND TRAINING SCHOOL.
Mrs. Alma O. Wake, Principal.
This school was organized in September, 1909, and occupied rooms on the third floor of the Y. W. C. A. Building, but in no way connected with that institution. After four years of growth the Training School was moved to the commodious rooms which it now occupies in the Melville Building in South Lafayette Street.
In 1908, in response to an invitation from the South Bend Kindergarten teachers Mrs. A. O. Ware of Chicago conducted a summer Normal course, which as stated by Superintendent Calvin Moon, stimulated a desire for deeper insight into child study and for newer methods of practice in the school room. Mr. Moon in his report added: “there has been such an increased enthusiasm as a result of the summer course that I should like to see the work continued.” “Supt. Moon’s support with the enthusiastic cooperation of the Kindergarten made it possible for Mrs. Ware to organize the Training School. It met an immediate need as there were many employed in the Kindergartens who had partial preparation for the work and some with no training. This condition gave the Training School a good student registration, as the Kindergartens were open only mornings, permitting the teachers to attend the Training School afternoons.
Two classes were formed: a senior class composed of those with previous training in some recognized school; a junior class for those with no previous training. The work was greatly strengthened by the co-operation of the Principal of the South Bend High School, Mr. Isaac Neff, who conducted the psychology classes. At the close of the school year Mr. Neff left the city and Mr. J. F. Nuner, Superintendent of the Mishawaka Schools took charge of the psychology, he is still holding the same relationship but teaching ‘Educational Psychology’ with the advanced classes.
As the school proved its ideals, and its methods won respect teachers of experience, with State School Diplomas and University Degrees, joined the faculty, remaining with the school and rendering valuable service by helping to build up a high standard of scholarship while at the same time greatly strengthening the work of the Principal. Mrs. Ware came to South Bend with recommendations from the Public School Boards of Xcw York City, of Pittsburgh and Chicago.
In reporting the first Commencement Exercises the South Bend paper said: ‘Diplomas were presented by Mrs. Alma Oliver Ware, President. Mrs. Ware’s thorough fitness for the work in hand, her entire devotion to her students, her noble womanhood and charming personality have won a place here for her. The unqualified success of the school during the initial year is a matter for hearty congratulation among the citizens of South Bend, who fool that here is a suitable field for such an organization.’
Thus the school was launched—but soon the students began to ask for State recognition for the work done in the local school. In the spring of 1910 formal application was made through Mr. Robert J. Aley, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, asking accreditnient for the training of Kindergarten teachers, this was granted in February, 1911.
During the correspondence with Mr. Aley, Mrs. Ware expressed her desire to have the South Bend Training School stand, not exclusively, for Kindergarten training, but for ‘childhood education’ believing that in a school system the kindergarten and primary grades should be one department and that grade teachers should have more of the child-study as given to the Kindergarten teachers and Kindergartners taught to understand grade work. Mr. Aley replied as follows: ‘I certainly agree that there is a very close relation between the Kindergarten and the primary school. The gap that exists in many systems between these two departments should be closed. Such training us you propose will certainly be a step in that direction.’
A petition was accordingly forwarded to the State Board through Superintendent Charles Greathouse, who had succeeded Mr. Aley, asking accreditment for primary training. When the work in this department had been duly and regularly inspected by the selected committee from the State Board the petition was granted in March, 1916. This was the occasion for great satisfaction to the Training School and also to the local school board who had generously co-operated with the Training School by allowing the students to observe and cadet in the Kindergartens and primary grades of the city schools. This courtesy has also been extended by Superintendent Nuner of Mishawaka.
The Primary training as organized by Mrs. Ware, has been ably conducted by Mr. Herbert Irnel and his assistants; Mr. Imel is a Normal School graduate and also has a degree from the Indiana State University.
Three notably distinct methods have been employed in the earnest effort at closer relationship between the Kindergarten and the grades or in making these two seemingly separate departments—one. …”
Reference Data:
Annual Report, by Indiana Dept. of Education, 1917, pages 182-5
