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

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 Our Faculty

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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.

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