Education is in the news everywhere in West Virginia right now. In our society today, we often think of it as something we take for granted. Of course there have always been schools and teachers around……..haven’t there? We sometimes see this as our right. Some even complain when they “have to” go to school or read something about the world. Very rarely do we truly understand what a treasure and a privilege it is to have these opportunities.
M.P. Shawkey taught at WVWC from 1895-1897 (or the West Virginia Conference Seminary as it was named at that time). He died 77 years ago this week, and was featured in a story on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. It seems that he is widely recognized as the father of secondary education in West Virginia. He served three terms as the West Virginia State Superintendent of Free Schools, and during that time vastly increased the number of high schools (from 6 to 116) and was a huge supporter of having libraries in every school. You can read more about him here. Go ahead — it is a really fascinating story! It includes time spent as President of Marshall and of Morris Harvey among other things. It includes political intrigue and other elements that would make for a great feature film.
Morris Purdy Shawkey also wrote several books on West Virginia History, Geography, and Industry, which includes the best description I have ever read about the development of schools in West Virginia…..and why they mattered to communities and individuals alike. Read this description here!!! Please!!! I wish each and every person in the legislature would read it.
We must value our schools. We must value our teachers. We must value those who work with our children. We must value those who provide the opportunities for our children to grow and shape our future as a society.
To read more things like this, check out https://DreamersAndGiants.com