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Elizabeth Ziegler

Canadian educator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elizabeth Ziegler
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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]

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Early life and education

Ziegler 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

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Teaching career

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After 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

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Entrance of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School with name engraved over doorway

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]

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Later life

Ziegler 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

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