Irwin, Elisabeth Antoinette
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{{epname|Irwin, Elisabeth Antoinette}} | {{epname|Irwin, Elisabeth Antoinette}} | ||
| − | '''Elisabeth Antoinette Irwin''' (August 29, 1880, Brooklyn, New York - October 16, 1942, Manhattan) | + | '''Elisabeth Antoinette Irwin''' (August 29, 1880, Brooklyn, New York - October 16, 1942, Manhattan) was an American psychologist and progressive educator. Her influence as an educator helped transform the early twentieth century American education. In 1921, Irwin founded the Little Red School House with the spirit and public mission to be a vital part of the life around it, not an exclusive refuge from it. In 1941, a high school division was established and LREI (the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School) was born. LREI retains its historic commitment to social justice, preparing its students for lives of active citizenship. |
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
| − | + | Elisabeth Irwin was born in Brooklyn to William Henry Irwin and Josephina Augusta Easton. Her father was a cotton merchant. She attended the Packer Collegiate Institute and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in 1903. Irwin first became a journalist, and later earned her Master's degree in psychology at Columbia University in 1923. | |
| − | + | In 1916, as a staff psychologist for the Progressive Education Association, she began an "experiment" in education that was part of a extensive rethinking of American education. This resulted in the founding of one of the most well known schools in the world, the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School. Irwin went on to become a respected spokesperson for educational reform. | |
| + | She died in the New York Hospital. She was survived by her life partner, Katharine Anthony, and their two adopted daughters, Mrs Howard Gresens of Plandome, New York and Mrs R.O. Bogue of Pensacola, Florida. Her funeral was conducted in Gaylordsville, Connecticut where she and Miss Anthony maintained a Summer home. She was buried there. | ||
==Work== | ==Work== | ||
| − | In 1912 while a member of the staff of the Public Education Association, she began work at revising the curriculum for the children at Public School 64. She founded the [[Little Red School House]] curriculum, in Manhattan in 1921, in the red-painted annex of Public School 61. Her work there, and then at Public School 41, a [[New York Times]] article describes as an experiment to demonstrate that "...the broader, more active program of the so-called progressive schools could be carried out under public school conditions." | + | In 1912 while a member of the staff of the Public Education Association, she began work at revising the curriculum for the children at Public School 64. She founded the [[Little Red School House]] curriculum, in Manhattan in 1921, in the red-painted annex of Public School 61. Her work there, and then at Public School 41, a [[New York Times]] article describes as an experiment to demonstrate that "...the broader, more active program of the so-called progressive schools could be carried out under public school conditions." <ref>''New York Times'', Apr, 3, 1932. pg E7 </ref> |
Faced with funding cuts, it appeared the experiment would end, but a group of parents came together in a candy store, urging her to start her own school and promising financial support. In Sep 1932 the "Little Red School House" got its own building at Bleeker Street. At first only primary education, in 1940 a high school was added. | Faced with funding cuts, it appeared the experiment would end, but a group of parents came together in a candy store, urging her to start her own school and promising financial support. In Sep 1932 the "Little Red School House" got its own building at Bleeker Street. At first only primary education, in 1940 a high school was added. | ||
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==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | The | + | The Little Red School House was founded in [[New York, New York]] as a joint public—private educational experiment. The school was an experiment designed to test the notion that the principles of progressive education, advocated since the turn of the century by [[John Dewey]] could be applied successfully in the crowded, ethnically diverse, public schools of the nation’s largest city. Nevertheless, this method of progressive education continues to be tried out mainly in small, private school settings. |
| − | In the 1940's, the high-school students at the Little Red School House decided that they wanted the high school to be named after the founder, Elisabeth Irwin, making the full title of the school The Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School | + | In the 1940's, the high-school students at the Little Red School House decided that they wanted the high school to be named after the founder, Elisabeth Irwin, making the full title of the school The Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI). It is recognized by educators around the world. Over the years, thousands of visitors have observed every aspect of the program. <ref> LREI: A Leader In Progressive Education [http://www.lrei.org/whoweare] retrieved November 5, 2007 from the ''LREI: Who We Are'' website. </ref> |
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| − | LREI | ||
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| + | “The complacent formalism of schools,” Elisabeth Irwin wrote, “its uncritical and therefore uncreative spirit, must be replaced by an honest hospitality to experimentation.” She believed that in order to remain relevant, guiding educational principles must be continually revisited, tested in the context of contemporary issues and reaffirmed by current practice. This may be her greatest legacy. LREI remains faithful to the spirit of its founder by always reinventing itself, by testing new ideas, and by finding new variations on tried and true principles. <ref> Elisabeth Irwin and Louis Marks, ''Fitting the School to the Child'', New York: Macmillan, 1926 </ref> | ||
==Major Works== | ==Major Works== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | + | <references /> | |
{{Credits|Elisabeth_Irwin|106219821|Little_Red_School_House|108657495|Elisabeth_Irwin_High_School|167237422|}} | {{Credits|Elisabeth_Irwin|106219821|Little_Red_School_House|108657495|Elisabeth_Irwin_High_School|167237422|}} | ||
Revision as of 06:59, 6 November 2007
Elisabeth Antoinette Irwin (August 29, 1880, Brooklyn, New York - October 16, 1942, Manhattan) was an American psychologist and progressive educator. Her influence as an educator helped transform the early twentieth century American education. In 1921, Irwin founded the Little Red School House with the spirit and public mission to be a vital part of the life around it, not an exclusive refuge from it. In 1941, a high school division was established and LREI (the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School) was born. LREI retains its historic commitment to social justice, preparing its students for lives of active citizenship.
Life
Elisabeth Irwin was born in Brooklyn to William Henry Irwin and Josephina Augusta Easton. Her father was a cotton merchant. She attended the Packer Collegiate Institute and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in 1903. Irwin first became a journalist, and later earned her Master's degree in psychology at Columbia University in 1923.
In 1916, as a staff psychologist for the Progressive Education Association, she began an "experiment" in education that was part of a extensive rethinking of American education. This resulted in the founding of one of the most well known schools in the world, the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School. Irwin went on to become a respected spokesperson for educational reform.
She died in the New York Hospital. She was survived by her life partner, Katharine Anthony, and their two adopted daughters, Mrs Howard Gresens of Plandome, New York and Mrs R.O. Bogue of Pensacola, Florida. Her funeral was conducted in Gaylordsville, Connecticut where she and Miss Anthony maintained a Summer home. She was buried there.
Work
In 1912 while a member of the staff of the Public Education Association, she began work at revising the curriculum for the children at Public School 64. She founded the Little Red School House curriculum, in Manhattan in 1921, in the red-painted annex of Public School 61. Her work there, and then at Public School 41, a New York Times article describes as an experiment to demonstrate that "...the broader, more active program of the so-called progressive schools could be carried out under public school conditions." [1]
Faced with funding cuts, it appeared the experiment would end, but a group of parents came together in a candy store, urging her to start her own school and promising financial support. In Sep 1932 the "Little Red School House" got its own building at Bleeker Street. At first only primary education, in 1940 a high school was added.
Legacy
The Little Red School House was founded in New York, New York as a joint public—private educational experiment. The school was an experiment designed to test the notion that the principles of progressive education, advocated since the turn of the century by John Dewey could be applied successfully in the crowded, ethnically diverse, public schools of the nation’s largest city. Nevertheless, this method of progressive education continues to be tried out mainly in small, private school settings.
In the 1940's, the high-school students at the Little Red School House decided that they wanted the high school to be named after the founder, Elisabeth Irwin, making the full title of the school The Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI). It is recognized by educators around the world. Over the years, thousands of visitors have observed every aspect of the program. [2]
“The complacent formalism of schools,” Elisabeth Irwin wrote, “its uncritical and therefore uncreative spirit, must be replaced by an honest hospitality to experimentation.” She believed that in order to remain relevant, guiding educational principles must be continually revisited, tested in the context of contemporary issues and reaffirmed by current practice. This may be her greatest legacy. LREI remains faithful to the spirit of its founder by always reinventing itself, by testing new ideas, and by finding new variations on tried and true principles. [3]
Major Works
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Credits
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