John Teasman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Teasman
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Lithograph of the African Free School where John Teasman worked
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| Born | 1754 New Jersey, United States
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| Died | 1815 (aged 60–61) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Teacher |
John Teasman (1754 – 1815) was an important American educator. In 1799, he became the principal of the New York African Free School. His leadership inspired many other black educators and the students he taught.
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Who Was John Teasman?
John Teasman was born in New Jersey in 1754. We don't know much about his early life. He started working as an educator at the New York African Free School in 1797.
Early Life and Teaching Career
The New York Manumission Society appointed Teasman as the principal of the school. This society wanted to help free black people become "useful members of the community." The African Free School started with only 12 students. However, more and more students joined quickly.
Even though student numbers grew, teacher salaries did not. It was always hard to find enough money to pay the teachers. To earn more, Teasman started an evening school for adults. He worked at the New York African Free School for 10 years. During his time there, student attendance went up by 30%.
New Ways to Teach: The Lancasterian Method
John Teasman was the first black educator to try a new teaching method called the Lancasterian method. In this method, one teacher could teach many students at once. Older students, called "monitors," helped the main teacher. This way, hundreds of children could learn at the same time.
The Lancasterian method made education much cheaper. This made it very popular with groups that helped people in the early 1800s.
A New School and Community Work
Eventually, Teasman was asked to leave his job as principal of the New York African Free School. It seems he didn't want to follow the rules set by the school's leaders very closely. After leaving, he and his wife opened their own independent school.
Helping the Community and Beyond
Teasman was also very active in politics. He encouraged other African-American community members to get involved and volunteer. With some of his former students from the New York African Free School, Teasman helped create the New York African Society for Mutual Relief.
This group is believed to have helped people on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. The society also offered health insurance and money for families when a member died. Teasman also helped organize celebrations for the black community. Some people didn't like large groups of black people gathering and celebrating in New York.
John Teasman passed away in 1815.
