Carol, I think you are right about the "normal" being "standardized
training." Looking at the dates, my GGGrandfather couldn't have been there
for very long, he was born in 1876, and by the time he was 21, he had
graduated and was up in Vancouver, BC getting married. The history of DEL
NORTE COUNTY PIONEERS (CA), has him coming out to teach in Drain, OR. I
don't know if he ever taught school, but he was noted for his inventions.
In the meantime, I've contacted the University to see if they have any
historical records stashed somewhere. Thanks again, Jody
They called it a "normal school" because the schools came
about to
"normalize" the training that teachers received. Prior to these normal
schools, teachers did not have to complete standardized training, or even
any training at all, so they were not always equipped to teach the
students
that were in their care. These schools developed a curriculum that was
the
same at each school, no matter where the school was located.
Carol