Mary Alex Ericson
A life-long resident of Branford, Mary Alex Ericson was born in 1894 and graduated from Branford High School in 1911. After completing the course at the State Normal School, in 1913 she returned to Branford to begin her teaching career. For nine years she taught at the Laurel Street and Canoe Brook Schools. In the days when education was not compulsory, school was not widely popular with some of the students. Yet one former student at age 96 still recalled making the long walk daily from West Main Street for the pleasure of being in Miss Alex's class.
Principal of Canoe Brook School (the first female to hold that post!) when the Armistice ended World War I, Miss Alex dismissed the school at recess and gave each of the children a small American flag to wave. They marched through the center of town (past the Center School, which was still in session!) and up West Main Street to where Branhaven Plaza now stands. After each child got an apple at the former Plant farm, they marched back to school and resumed classes as usual.
Upon her marriage to Carl Ericson in 1922, Miss Alex was forced to relinquish her professional full-time teaching career (the single female teacher only rule!) and began a new, thirty-year career as a substitute teacher and private tutor. Mary adapted to this challenge with great skill, tutoring students in grades 4 through 12 and being always ready to substitute when called upon.
Imagine arriving from a foreign country to live in the small town of Branford, perhaps because of an acquaintance or a job opportunity. The MIF or a farm offered the best job prospect, and housing was most easily found where other immigrants who share your language could help you: the Lock Shop area, Brushy Hill, Pent Road, or the Fourth Ward. Even with a job and housing secured, language remained a barrier that certainly had to be overcome in order to have a chance of a better life. Was it really possible to learn this odd, difficult language, English? The solution was night classes taught by Mary Alex Ericson. On the first night you might wonder if this very young, pretty woman could really teach you what you need but would soon discover that you were speaking and reading and even writing English. A true miracle from a wonderful teacher!
In addition to her English-language night classes, Mary provided one-on-one tutoring in her home. Students unable to attend public school might be tutored for the entire school year. Others were tutored in the summer or after school for make-up or remedial work in a variety of subjects. Ages ranged from primary grades through high school to special help with College Entrance Exams. All students were welcome, and Mary never refused a child or adult because of inability to pay.
A lifelong learner before the term became current; Mary was largely self-educated beyond Normal School and constantly studied Latin, history, and mathematics to prepare for the students she tutored. Her daughters, Joan and Carol, recall nightly grillings about their assignments. Frequently Mary would complete their assignments on her own and then compare her results with theirs for accuracy. (Carol recalls that her mother was always right!)
Although she played the piano strictly for her own enjoyment, Mary was a great music lover and became one of the original founders of the Branford Musical Arts Society.
Despite being behind the scenes for thirty years of her teaching career, Mary Alex Ericson is remembered and affectionately spoken of to this day by students who benefited from the simplicity of her teaching style and the joy she took in teaching and learning. Many consider her the consummate educator for personally helping scores of Branford people gain the confidence and skills they needed to succeed.
Principal of Canoe Brook School (the first female to hold that post!) when the Armistice ended World War I, Miss Alex dismissed the school at recess and gave each of the children a small American flag to wave. They marched through the center of town (past the Center School, which was still in session!) and up West Main Street to where Branhaven Plaza now stands. After each child got an apple at the former Plant farm, they marched back to school and resumed classes as usual.
Upon her marriage to Carl Ericson in 1922, Miss Alex was forced to relinquish her professional full-time teaching career (the single female teacher only rule!) and began a new, thirty-year career as a substitute teacher and private tutor. Mary adapted to this challenge with great skill, tutoring students in grades 4 through 12 and being always ready to substitute when called upon.
Imagine arriving from a foreign country to live in the small town of Branford, perhaps because of an acquaintance or a job opportunity. The MIF or a farm offered the best job prospect, and housing was most easily found where other immigrants who share your language could help you: the Lock Shop area, Brushy Hill, Pent Road, or the Fourth Ward. Even with a job and housing secured, language remained a barrier that certainly had to be overcome in order to have a chance of a better life. Was it really possible to learn this odd, difficult language, English? The solution was night classes taught by Mary Alex Ericson. On the first night you might wonder if this very young, pretty woman could really teach you what you need but would soon discover that you were speaking and reading and even writing English. A true miracle from a wonderful teacher!
In addition to her English-language night classes, Mary provided one-on-one tutoring in her home. Students unable to attend public school might be tutored for the entire school year. Others were tutored in the summer or after school for make-up or remedial work in a variety of subjects. Ages ranged from primary grades through high school to special help with College Entrance Exams. All students were welcome, and Mary never refused a child or adult because of inability to pay.
A lifelong learner before the term became current; Mary was largely self-educated beyond Normal School and constantly studied Latin, history, and mathematics to prepare for the students she tutored. Her daughters, Joan and Carol, recall nightly grillings about their assignments. Frequently Mary would complete their assignments on her own and then compare her results with theirs for accuracy. (Carol recalls that her mother was always right!)
Although she played the piano strictly for her own enjoyment, Mary was a great music lover and became one of the original founders of the Branford Musical Arts Society.
Despite being behind the scenes for thirty years of her teaching career, Mary Alex Ericson is remembered and affectionately spoken of to this day by students who benefited from the simplicity of her teaching style and the joy she took in teaching and learning. Many consider her the consummate educator for personally helping scores of Branford people gain the confidence and skills they needed to succeed.