University of Wisconsin Stevens Point - Horizon / Iris Yearbook (Stevens Point, WI)

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To Mrs. Bradford. At the close of this school year but six of Mr. Pray’s original faculty remain at Stevens Point, and Mrs. Bradford will not return to the school in the fall. At such a time one’s thoughts naturally turn to those Autumn days when the Normal opened, and the three teachers of the Model School were confronted by the curious ag£reKat'on children who had been sent into the new institution. To properly classify so strange a company, who varied no less in age and physical development than they did in mental culture, was the work of days. But almost immediately the three departments were differentiated and Mrs. Bradford, Miss Quinn and Miss Faddis began their sympathetic labors with the youngsters assigned to them. To one whose work involved daily observation of the rooms of those three notable teachers, there is cause for wonder, even to this day, at the ready solution of difficulties, the rapid extension of influence and the hearty response from the confused and embarrassed children. No more inspiring lessons were ever seen by pupil-teachers than came out of those early days, and their influence has been felt in a hundred different communities. The children themselves, now grown to manhood and womanhood, all carrying their own burdens and reaping the rewards of their own exertions, will understand how sincere and earnest was the teaching they received. Changes come in every school, and later Mrs. Bradford, who had established her skill as a teacher in the High School at Kenosha, before she came to the Normal School, was chosen for the vacancy created by the resignation of the first Teacher of Methods. Here the experience she had gained in the years while herself a teacher in the Model School, enabled her to recognize at a glance the difficulties of the Practice Teachers, and to assist them not only in planning their work, but also in carrying it out in their classrooms. While her influence as an Institute Conductor has extended to the remotest corners of the State, it has never been felt outside in the same vital way as by those students who have fallen under her daily influence for months and have realized the intelligent comprehension, the broad sympathy, and the marvelous power for work which characterize her. Now, as she severs her connection with the school, there is a feeling of deep regret in the heart of everybody who remains behind. Wherever her lines may be placed, the teachers and the pupils, old and new, will join in a hearty wish that she may have the strength and courage to do the same good work she has done here, and that other friends may take the place of the hundreds sin- leaves behind.

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 Mrs. Mary 1). Bradford «

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Mrs. M ry D. Bradford 'O ALL who have been ns teachers, pupils, or patrons connected with the Stevens Point Normal School, and especially to all who aro looking forward to a continuation of such connection, the resignation of Mrs. Bradford from Its faculty Is a matter of great regret, and wo wish to express here our wannest appreciation of her educational work, of her personality, character and Influence. Mrs. Bradford began teaching at the age of sixteen near her childhood home in the vicinity of Kenosha. Neither then nor at any time since did she make the mistake of considering her own education complete, but while teaching In the country schools she pursued the Kenosha High School course as student. When she had thus become prepared for grade teaching in Kenosha she took up the Oshkosh Normal course as student, and when through that she had prepared for and obtained a position as High School assistant in Kenosha, she still pushed her own higher education by means of summer courses at Madison University and Saturday courses at Chicago University. Thus sho became able, before taking a still higher position to obtain the state diploma upon examination before the board in 1894. This same eagerness for broader preparation and greater self-culture has characterized her since she came to this school. Through summer work in Clark University, she made intimate acquaintance with Hr. Stanley Hall’s thought and method In education. Another summer in the east brought her under the instruction of Dean Southwick of the Emerson School of Boston, and through her power to appreciate the best within her sphere of contact and to win the appreciation of the best, was brought to us the delightful opportunity of two evenings with Dean Southwick. That Mrs. Bradford has kept abreast of the new education Is demonstrated in her recently published course of study for the grades. While thoroughly practical and tested in every point by actual application, it embodies the most advanced educational ideas, and will doubtless have extensive influence toward the better organization and modernization of elementary work in the state. Mrs. Bradford is known not only through schoolroom work in Kenosha and Stevens Point but has served on important committees of the State Association, read strong papers before that association, and written considerable for educational Journals, having recently taken charge of a department In the Wisconsin Journal of Education, but she is perhaps most widely known through her institute work, having had more calls to this work than she had weeks to give to it in her summers. One who has known Mrs. Bradford throughout her career says of her work in his native town. Her influence on her pupils was very strong and always in the right direction, and shows plainly its impress on their characters. No teacher ever exerted a broader and better influence in the Kenosha schools than did Mary D. Bradford. I know I reflect truthfully the sentiment of the people of Kenosha.” And we do not hesitate to add that this is equally applicable to her work and influence during the last twelve years In the Stevens Point Normal. Very few of the hundreds of students who have come under her inspiring helpful direction during these twelve years will fail to look upon their work with her as a great opportunity and one of the vivifying formative influences in their lives. With a power of application and execution seldom equalled, with a man’s clearness and force of Intellect, Mrs. Bradford combines in plentitude das ewig weibliche which gives the readiest sympathy and encouragement to every good impulse and effort of others, and is the source of a teacher’s best power in fostering the growth of character. Wifehood und motherhood, peculiarly fortunate and happy except as to the sad brevity of the former have broadened and deepened life’s experiences and increased her sources of sympathy and helpfulness. While Mrs. Bradford goes to a new position, she does not go to a now public, for her grateful pupils are at work in almost every county in Wisconsin, and she is known and valued by the best educators and school officials throughout the state. Regretting the loss to our school, we send with her the warmest congratulations upon her advancement and our best wishes for her happiness and success in her new work.