Elizabeth Ziegler (September 15, 1854 – November 3, 1942) was a Canadian educator. She is the namesake of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo, Ontario, and is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.[1]
Elizabeth Ziegler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 15, 1854 Berlin, Canada West |
| Died | November 3, 1942 (aged 88) Simcoe, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Mount Hope Cemetery |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Early life and education
editZiegler was born September 15, 1854, in Berlin, Canada West (now Kitchener) to Enoch and Hannah (née Hallman) Ziegler.[2] Educated at local schools, Elizabeth went on to study at the Toronto Normal School, graduating at 16 years of age. She was the youngest student to receive a teaching certificate from the school, which was signed by Egerton Ryerson, Ontario's first Minister of Education.[3][4]: 35
Teaching career
editAfter graduation she taught for a year in Breslau, followed by two years teaching in Bloomingdale.[4]: 35 Ziegler returned to Waterloo County in 1875, after accepting a teaching position at Central School during a period when women made up less than half of the teaching staff in the area and were unable to marry if they wished to continue on as teachers.[4]: 35 She taught a range of subjects at the school including reading, spelling, arithmetic, geography and drawing.[5]: 72 Ziegler was later appointed as the principal of Alexandra School, Waterloo's second elementary school, making her the first woman principal appointed in Waterloo County.[4]: 35, 36 [6] She retired from teaching in 1930.[3][7] To mark her lengthy career the Canadian National Railway gifted her a return ticket to the Pacific Coast.[4]: 36
When construction began on Waterloo's third elementary school, local teachers requested that it be named in Ziegler's honour.[8][4]: 36 She initially resisted the recognition but was eventually persuaded by members of the Waterloo Public School Board.[4]: 36 The school opening on September 2, 1931, was attended by Ontario Premier George Stewart Henry who commented that: "This splendid building is a monument to the purpose, integrity and inspiration of a woman who has helped fashion the lives of the citizens of this community and has helped them to make the best use of their lives."[3] Her teaching certificate signed by Ryerson hangs at the school along with her portrait.[3][9] In addition to having a school named after her, Ziegler is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.[3]
Later life
editZiegler spent her later years living with family in Kitchener and London.[10] In 1941 Ziegler moved to Simcoe to live with a sister, where she died a year later.[4]: 37
References
edit- ^ "About (Elizabeth Ziegler Public School)". elz.wrdsb.ca. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler". generations.regionofwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "List of Hall of Fame Inductees". www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca. 8 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gerry, Engel; Margaret, Spencer (2000). "Elizabeth Ziegler (1854-1942) Educator and Emily Seibert (1907-1992) Educator". Women of Waterloo County. Toronto: Natural Heritage/Natural History. ISBN 9781896219721.
- ^ Johnston, Mary (1975). Trail of the Slate : a History of Early Education in Waterloo County, 1802-1912. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler Public School, 1931". Foundations. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Miss E. Ziegler's Remarkable Record as School Teacher". Waterloo Chronicle. 18 December 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Eliz. Ziegler is name of new school". Waterloo Chronicle. 11 December 1930. p. 4. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler Public School". historicplaces.ca. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Served 55 years, oldest teacher dies". Waterloo Chronicle. 6 November 1942. Retrieved 1 April 2021.