East Texas Normal College: Expanding Literacy in Northeast Texas
"There is a fundamental difference between a school of instruction and a school of education. The 'lecture system' of universities is a system of instruction. The pupil sits at the feet of the instructor and accepts without thought or question, everything that is said. He takes notes on the lecture, then goes to his room and memorizes them. He learns to follow, not to lead; to accept the opinions of others, not to think for himself; to read the results of their investigations, not to make these investigations for himself. Such is not education. It has been designated cramming. It stupefies rather than develops power. The normal college reverses this plan." --William Leonidas Mayo (Gold 121).
Professor Mayo
Professsor Mayo's words clearly express his dedication to teaching by normal college principles, rather than those prevalent in the universities at the time, in order to produce truly literate individuals in the Northeast Texas area. Normal colleges did not depend upon imported philosophical and pedagogical practices, but they developed curricula to meet the needs of the local communities. Like other normal college educators, Mayo believed that schools were accountable to the communities they served and that the interests, needs, and abilities of students must determine pedagogical practices (Gold 115). As a progressive educator, Mayo believed in promoting democracy through education.
"In our country, where every matter affecting the public is considered by a meeting of the people, no citizen ought to be without a knowledge of parliamentary usage and practice. In all town meetings, conventions, literary and religious societies, debating clubs, etc., a knowledge of this subject is indispensable." --
William Leonidas Mayo (Gold 131).
In addition, normal schools stressed the "dignity and individuality of each student" and empowered students, taking "great personal interests in students' emotional, academic, and social development" (Gold, p. 4). Mayo's pragmatic belief that education should be practical as well as cultural, meeting the needs of a long-overlooked segment of society (white, rural students, both male and female, of modest economic means), provided a means of "socioeconomic advancement and community pride" much like the private liberal arts colleges did for African American students (Gold, p. 115). Mayo not only provided higher education for students who were academically prepared for college, he offered refresher courses to allow every student the opportunity to become college-ready.
"Every person, whatever his vocation in life, ought to possess this [prepatory year provided at East Texas Normal Collegel] amount of knowledge, in order that he may perform intelligently his part as an active American citizen."--
William Leonidas Mayo (Gold 131).
Mayo was one of a number of maverick educators who established normal colleges throughout the country in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth; however, Mayo's authoritative rule, physical disciplinary measures, and strict practices alongside his leadership in management and pedagogy served to establish the practices that drive the "contemporary, student-centered, civically engaged pedagogy" that is so widely entrenched in higher education today, especially in the American community college
(Gold 113). Inscribed on Mayo's memorial on the campus of Texas A&M-Commerce is his motto which has become a worthy tribute to the First President and Founding Father of Texas A&M University-Commerce:
"Ceaseless industry,
fearless investigation,
unfettered thought,
unselfish service to others"
Northeast Texas Digital Collections
"In our country, where every matter affecting the public is considered by a meeting of the people, no citizen ought to be without a knowledge of parliamentary usage and practice. In all town meetings, conventions, literary and religious societies, debating clubs, etc., a knowledge of this subject is indispensable." --
William Leonidas Mayo (Gold 131).
In addition, normal schools stressed the "dignity and individuality of each student" and empowered students, taking "great personal interests in students' emotional, academic, and social development" (Gold, p. 4). Mayo's pragmatic belief that education should be practical as well as cultural, meeting the needs of a long-overlooked segment of society (white, rural students, both male and female, of modest economic means), provided a means of "socioeconomic advancement and community pride" much like the private liberal arts colleges did for African American students (Gold, p. 115). Mayo not only provided higher education for students who were academically prepared for college, he offered refresher courses to allow every student the opportunity to become college-ready.
"Every person, whatever his vocation in life, ought to possess this [prepatory year provided at East Texas Normal Collegel] amount of knowledge, in order that he may perform intelligently his part as an active American citizen."--
William Leonidas Mayo (Gold 131).
Mayo was one of a number of maverick educators who established normal colleges throughout the country in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth; however, Mayo's authoritative rule, physical disciplinary measures, and strict practices alongside his leadership in management and pedagogy served to establish the practices that drive the "contemporary, student-centered, civically engaged pedagogy" that is so widely entrenched in higher education today, especially in the American community college
(Gold 113). Inscribed on Mayo's memorial on the campus of Texas A&M-Commerce is his motto which has become a worthy tribute to the First President and Founding Father of Texas A&M University-Commerce:
"Ceaseless industry,
fearless investigation,
unfettered thought,
unselfish service to others"
Northeast Texas Digital Collections
William Mayo: More Maverick Than Modern Professor Mayo's Colleges: 1889-2011
East Texas Normal College at Cooper 1889
East Texas Normal College at Commerce 1895
Texas A&M University-Commerce 2011
Professor Mayo recognized the value of physical education at East Texas Normal College
Coed Tennis Team
East Texas Normal College
