London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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Miss W. Singer, B.A., B.L.S. Library Science Children ' s Literature Miss P. Taylor Library Science Children ' s Literature Mrs. G. R. Magee, B.A. Assistant Librarian 13

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J. H. Lennon, B.A. English B History General Methods Principles and Practices J. L. MacDowell, B.A. A.R.T.C. Music N. B. Massey, B.A., M.Sc Science J. A. McKeown, B.A English 2 English A Miss W. R. Prendergast Physical Education S. J. Rogers, B.A., B.Sc, M.A. English A Social Studies History Principles and Practices H. S. Long, B.A., B.Ed. History of Education Religious Education General Methods M. E. Porte, B.A. Education Psychology Health Child Psychology 12

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Recall The Story of London Teachers ' College. In 1958 the new London Teachers ' College was opened for the first time. Looking back over the years, three-fifths of a century, many transitions have taken place. Lets go back to the first year 1900, and see what we could expect to find. . . . Our student-teacher of the early twentieth century was a member of London Normal School, from the French, Ecole Normale a school according to the rule. The first session began on Feb- ruary 6, and lasted until June. In those times, the ratio wasn ' t any better--23 men and 78 women. Things were worse in 1917, there were 6 men, but progress was made and in 1944, there were 7! The Normal School was located on Elmwood and Wortely, not far from the home of Colonel F. B. Leys, one of the original instigators of the school. The impressive tower still stands today, and the school is now being used for a Junior High. These pioneers of 1900, our forerunners, managed to publish a year book at the end of the first term. Copies of the Mnemosyne (ne mos i nee) -- meaning memory, are found in our own library today. Perhaps one of the members of the student body in the early days of the school was a member of The Western Normal. Literary Society, but it is doubtful any literary programmes were high- lighted with dancing. Dancing was forbidden until 1918, the time of Mr. William Prendergast, father of Miss Prender- gast of the present staff. Instead of dancing there were Promenades. Staff, their wives, critic teachers, wives and students would assemble in the library and a series of walks would take place. Up and down the stairs, in and out of the various rooms, the wierd parade would wend its way. What gay abandon! In 1 903 Manual Training was introduced (now called Industrial Arts). It is interesting to note that there have been only three instructors in this subject since 1900 -- Mr. Pickles, Mr. Hager- mand and our own Mr. Walker. An unpopular inovation was conceived in 1928. It was announced that graduates of London Normal School were to return within four years of graduation for a second year of training. In 1934, this custom was vetoed by the department. It was now necessary for the holder of an Interim First Class Certificate to teach for three suc- cessful years and to attain at least credit standings in University work following Grade Thirteen in order to receive a Permanent First Class Certificate. 1953 brought still another change in London Normal School. It was now to be called London Teachers ' College. No longer were there to be jokes about the normality of the Normal Students! Crowded conditions forced the staggering of classes into two shifts in 1957. It was then decided that a new site was necessary to house the large increase of students. Western Road, near the Un- iversity of Western Ontario, was the location chosen for the new College. Since the beginning, there have been more than 1 1,000 students pass through the halls of Lon- don Teachers ' College. The present enrollment for 1 959 - 60 is equal to that of the first six years.