Emma Frances Grayson Merritt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emma Frances Grayson Merritt
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| Born | January 11, 1860 Dumfries, Virginia
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| Died | June 8, 1933 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Known for | Established first kindergarten for black children in the United States |
Emma Frances Grayson Merritt (born January 11, 1860 – died June 8, 1933) was an important American educator. She made history in 1897 by starting the very first kindergarten for Black children in the United States. She worked hard to improve schools and teaching methods for many years.
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Early Life and Education
Emma Merritt was born in Dumfries, Virginia, on January 11, 1860. Her parents were John and Sophia Merritt. When she was three years old, her family moved to Washington, D.C. She grew up there and went to public schools in the city.
Becoming a Teacher
Emma started teaching first grade in Washington, D.C., when she was only 15 years old in 1875. This was before she had any special training. She continued to teach while also studying at Howard University. She attended their normal school program from 1883 to 1887. A normal school was a place where people learned how to become teachers.
She also studied at George Washington University from 1887 to 1890. Later, she got special training in mathematics at Howard University from 1889 to 1892. In 1887, she became the principal of the Banneker School, an elementary school.
Contributions to Education
Emma Merritt is well-known for her many important contributions to the school system in Washington, D.C. She always looked for ways to make education better for students and teachers.
Founding the First Kindergarten
In 1897, Emma Merritt achieved something truly special. She founded the first kindergarten specifically for African American children in the United States. This was a big step forward for early childhood education.
The next year, in 1898, she became the director of primary instruction for the entire District of Columbia school system. This meant she was in charge of how young children were taught across the city.
Improving Schools and Teaching
Emma Merritt introduced many new ideas to schools. She worked to raise the salaries of kindergarten teachers, which helped attract more talented people to the profession. She also started the first summer school at Stevens School, giving students more opportunities to learn.
She created programs to help teachers improve their skills. These programs included ways for teachers to observe each other and learn new methods. She also brought in "silent reading," which helped students focus and understand what they were reading. Emma Merritt also believed in learning outside the classroom. She started organizing field trips around the city, allowing students to learn from real-world experiences.
Community Involvement
Beyond her work in schools, Emma Merritt was also active in her community. She was a member of the Executive Committee for the Washington, D.C. branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is an organization that works for equal rights for all people.
She also served on the executive board of the Southwest Settlement Society. This group helped people in the community. Emma Merritt was also the financial chairman at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, an organization that supported young women.
Emma Frances Grayson Merritt dedicated her life to making education better and fighting for equality. Her work helped many children get a good start in life.
