Introduction
This page's purpose is to present some of the most influential figures in United States educational history. From our early founding fathers to educational revolutionaries, we have so many to thank for their consistent dedication to making our educational system shine. On this page you will come to find the significance of each person and what they did to achieve such notice. I hope you find this section informative, inspiring, and overall educational on the basis of education in the United States.
Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin was incredibly active in the advancement of education in the United States. His personal schooling experiences helped him better understand the role he needed to play in shaping the educational system and well being of the American nation.
John HoltJohn Holt was an educator in the 1960s who's ideals rivaled those who thought there was hope for public schools. He believed that it was hopeless in reforming public schools and that homeschooling was a more viable option.
Horace MannHorace Mann served as the first Secretary of Massachusetts State Board of Education was considered the most heard voice of the common school movement. He very much understood the importance of common schooling and would never get tired of preaching it. His twelve annual reports were the most powerful of his writings that supported the notion of common schools.
W.E.B. DuBoisDuBois could be considered the most influential being when it came to education for African Americans. A radical spokesperson for African American education, DuBois was several decades ahead in understanding the history of school development in the states of the former Confederacy.
David SneddenDavid Snedden was an extremely prominent figure in the Progressive era of education. By 1915, he was a nationally recognized educator and was the Commissioner of Education in Massachusetts. He was an admirer of John Dewey's work and pushed for an educational program that catered to the industrial society of the time.
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Thomas JeffersonJefferson was one of the many leaders who addressed education seriously among the revolutionary generation. Even though he was dedicated to reform in Virginia, his ideals did not come to practice till long after he passed away. Jefferson proposed three major bills that would help reform the schooling system; a more general diffusion of knowledge.
Catharine BeecherCatharine Beecher was one of the early advocates for incorporating the paid female school teacher. She was very influential during the common school movement and was strong in her belief that women were more suitable to teach the young than men.
Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington seriously understood the struggles southern African Americans were facing in an edcuational sense in the late 1890's. His book, The Future of the American Negro, stated his view on the educational system and its importance to economic development that must precede education.
John DeweyEasily known as one of the best educators in the United states by 1914, John Dewey's impact on education still holds today. His most important stance was that of supporting progressive education in the United States. He firmly believed that we learn better by "doing" and incorporating a hands-on approach to education.
G. Stanley HallG. Stanley Hall is often considered as the "father of American Psychology" and played a major role in bringing to light adolescence as a distinct developmental period from childhood to adulthood. This helped educators understand the importance of educational needs of adolescents.
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