Mary Rice Phelps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Rice Phelps
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| Born |
Mary Rice
May 1, 1867 Union County, SC
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| Died | Unknown |
| Education | Scotia Seminary, 1885 |
| Occupation | teacher and writer |
| Spouse(s) | John L. Phelps |
Mary Rice Phelps (born May 1, 1867) was an amazing African-American teacher and writer. She started teaching when she was only thirteen years old! Her work helped many students learn and grow.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mary Rice was born on May 1, 1867. Her parents, Adeline and Hilliard Rice, lived in Union County, South Carolina. Mary was a very bright child. She learned to read when she was just four years old. She started school a year later, at age five.
Becoming a Teacher
When Mary was thirteen, she was asked to lead a big school. This school was in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. With her parents' permission, she took a special test. She passed the test and received her teaching certificate.
After teaching for one year, Mary's parents wanted her to keep learning. They sent her to the Benedict Institute. This school was in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1881, she went to Scotia Seminary. This college was located in Concord, North Carolina. Mary graduated from Scotia Seminary in 1885.
A Career in Education
After college, Mary Rice became a principal. She led public schools in Glenn Springs, South Carolina for three years. In 1890, she moved to Milledgeville, Georgia. There, she became the assistant principal of the Eddy School.
Marriage and Continued Teaching
On October 25, 1891, Mary Rice married John L. Phelps. Their wedding took place in Helena, South Carolina. In 1893, Mary Rice Phelps was chosen as assistant principal. This was at Cleveland Academy in Helena.
However, she soon took a new job. She accepted a position at the Haines Industrial School. This school was in Augusta, Georgia. Mary Rice Phelps loved teaching so much. She even used her vacation time to teach children in rural areas.
A Talented Writer
Mary Rice Phelps was also known as a talented writer. A famous book called Afro-American Encyclopaedia included her essay. This book was published in 1895 by James T. Haley. Her essay was titled "The Responsibility of Women as Teachers."
In her essay, Mary Rice Phelps shared an important message. She encouraged mothers to see themselves as their children's first teachers. She believed mothers should teach their children good morals from a very young age.
