Establishing settlement schools in the Appalachian region of East Tennessee in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s was a hard-fought battle. Finding qualified teachers to teach in those schools was nearly impossible. Finding trained and knowledgeable educators willing to forego all elements of comfort for little pay, an even more difficult undertaking.
The opening of a settlement school was a big event in the backwoods of Appalachia. While there were children in attendance, of course, many adults also made their way to the combination church/schoolhouse to investigate the teacher and determine if they were worthy; not as a person, but as someone new to the Appalachian way of life. Some teachers made their mark, while others didn’t make it at all.
— Tennessee River Valley / National Geographic
For more information on settlement schools in East Tennessee:
- Christy Mission – Settlement School History in East Tennessee via Tennessee River Valley
- Settlement Schools via Tennessee Encyclopedia
- Pi Beta Phi Settlement School via Tennessee Encyclopedia