Elizabeth Ziegler

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Elizabeth Ziegler
ElizabethZieglerca1920s.jpg
Born(1854-09-15)September 15, 1854
Berlin, Ontario
DiedNovember 3, 1942(1942-11-03) (aged 88)
Simcoe, Ontario
Resting placeMount Hope Cemetery
OccupationTeacher

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.

Early life and education[]

Ziegler was born September 15, 1854 in Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener) to Enoch and Hannah (née Hallman) Ziegler.[1] Her grandfather, Dillman Ziegler, was born in 1781 in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and was an early settler in .[2] His own great-great-grandfather, Michael Ziegler, emigrated to Pennsylvania Colony around 1707 from Switzerland and was one of the earliest settlers in Montgomery County.[3]

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.[4][5]: 35 

Teaching career[]

After graduation she taught for a year in Breslau, followed by two years teaching in Bloomingdale.[5]: 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.[5]: 35  She taught a range of subjects at the school including reading, spelling, arthimetic, geography and drawing.[6]: 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.[5]: 35, 36 [7] She retired from teaching in 1930.[4][8] To mark her lengthy career the Canadian National Railway gifted her a return ticket to the Pacific Coast.[5]: 36 

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.[9][5]: 36  She initially resisted the recognition but was eventually persuaded by members of the Waterloo Public School Board.[5]: 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."[4] Her teaching certificate signed by Ryerson hangs at the school along with her portrait.[4][10] In addition to having a school named after her, Ziegler is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.[4]

Later life[]

Ziegler spent her later years living with family in Kitchener and London.[11] In 1941 Ziegler moved to Simcoe to live with a sister, where she died a year later.[5]: 37  Following her death on November 3, 1942 she was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener. Her headstone reads: "She taught little children for sixty years."[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler". generations.regionofwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Dillman Ziegler". Waterloo Region Generations. Region of Waterloo. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Michael Ziegler". Waterloo Region Generations. Region of Waterloo. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "List of Hall of Fame Inductees". www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Gerry, Engel; Margaret, Spencer (2000). "Elizabeth Ziegler (1854-1942) Educator and Emily Seibert (1907-1992) Educator". Women of Waterloo County. Toronto: Natural Heritage/Natural History. ISBN 9781896219721.
  6. ^ Johnston, Mary (1975). Trail of the Slate : a History of Early Education in Waterloo County, 1802-1912. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler Public School, 1931". Foundations. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Miss E. Ziegler's Remarkable Record as School Teacher". Waterloo Chronicle. 18 December 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Eliz. Ziegler is name of new school". Waterloo Chornicle. 11 December 1930. p. 4. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler Public School". www.historicplaces.ca. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Served 55 years, oldest teacher dies". Waterloo Chornicle. 6 November 1942. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Elizabeth Ziegler (1854-1942)". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
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