Hill_A+Girl's+Dream+for+Education

Tara Hill Raleigh Story ECI 435

August 15, 1864 Dear Diary, It’s me, Maggie. Well, my brother has gone off to school and I am completely envious of him! I just don’t think it’s fair that he gets to go off and get an education and I don’t! Instead of learning new things and being exposed to all the knowledge the world has to offer, I have to stay at home with momma and help her with the chores. Daddy says that it’s a girl’s job to do the housework. I don’t agree with him at all…but I wouldn’t dare tell him that. I guess I am lucky that my brother teaches me how to read and write when he can. Daddy says I am a quick learner but that I don’t need to worry much about writing. That’s why I am telling you and only you this secret desire of mine. I am bound and determined to get a college education one day. Maybe, just maybe...if I’m lucky, one day it will happen!

Fingers Crossed, Maggie

December 12, 1864 Dear Diary, I haven’t written in awhile because I can’t seem to ever get any free time to myself. My momma and daddy are always watching me. I don’t want them to see where I hide you because they might read what I have written down. I have to tell you something important! Today, I was taking a walk and I overheard some adults talking. They were talking about a school called Peace Institute. From listening in on their conversation, I learned that the school was founded in 1857 by Raleigh’s First Presbyterian Church. I also heard them talking about a man named William Peace, a Raleigh business man and church elder. These ladies said that this man provided $10,000 and eight whole acres of land for this school!! Wow, that is a whole lot of money! However, the construction on the Main Building has been interrupted by the Civil War and the Confederate government has taken over the building so that it can be used as a military hospital. I also heard them say that it was originally to be used as a school for women. This really got me excited! I am going to try and learn more about this school! Maybe my wish will come true!

Yours Truly, Maggie

February 5, 1865 Dear Diary, I haven’t heard anymore about the school…I have been busy with chores and helping momma. I will write again when I hear more. My hopes are falling…

Yours Truly, Maggie

April 26, 1865 Dear Diary, Today, Johnston surrendered to Sherman at the Bennett Farmhouse in Durham, thus ending the civil war. And I finally heard some more news on the school! I learned that the federal government is going to use the school building as the North Carolina headquarters for the Freedmen’s Bureau. This group helps former slaves start new lives. I wonder if Peace Institute will ever be used for its original purpose: educating women? I guess I should just give up for now…it doesn’t look like the school is going to open anytime soon.

Yours Truly, Maggie

June 2, 1865 Dear Diary, I know I don’t write very often, but I only have time to write about the important stuff. Today, my daddy told me that we are moving to Raleigh…this just happens to be where the Peace Institute is! Maybe when it does open, my chances of going will be even better now! My older brother loves school…I know I would love it too if I were given the chance to go.

Yours Truly, Maggie

May 4, 1875 Dear Diary, Do you remember me?! It’s Maggie! I can’t believe I just now found you after all these years have gone by. My last entry was written nearly ten years ago! After we moved, you got lost and I will admit that I forgot about you and my hopes of going to Peace Institute for a long time. However, I was looking through some old boxes today that never got unpacked for whatever reason, and I found you! Anyways, I’ll get right to the point…you will be happy to know that my dream came true! In the early 1870’s, the Presbyterian Church regained ownership of the school property. They made repairs to the building and the Peace Institute officially opened in January of 1872. By then, I was old enough to make my own decisions about school and I decided to enroll. At first, I was unsure about what I wanted to study, but I finally decided that I wanted to become a teacher. As you know, I have always had a love of education and I want to hopefully pass that love on to others through my teaching. I guess my parents just never thought that a girl could get a proper education. My first day of school was the happiest day of my life. I have been told that I am a bright student and have a lot of talent. I don’t have much time to write since I have a lot of studying to get done these days. I promise to write again sometime.

Yours Truly (even after all this time), Maggie

June 17, 1880 Dear Diary, Okay, so I know I can’t keep writing to you just every five to ten years. I know I have neglected you, but I hope you’ll understand that I am a busy girl these days! I am sure you are wondering how I turned out after finally being able to attend Peace Institute. I continued on in the teacher education program and I am now a school teacher in Raleigh. I love what I do and I get so excited when I see others learning. You have become a place for me to write about my love of learning and the advances in education. With that being said, I have more good news! It is now possible for a girl to receive her entire education at Peace! This means that a girl can attend Peace from kindergarten through college-level courses that are available. I never thought this would be possible. If I have a daughter one day, I know she will have the opportunity to get an education. I am extremely hopeful for the future…it can only get better from here, right?!

Yours Truly, Maggie

__**Instructional Ideas**__

In this lesson, students will understand the many roles that Peace College (formerly known as Peace Institute) served throughout history (1857-present) in North Carolina and the impact it had on education. Students will especially understand the impact Peace College had on women's education. First, I would introduce Peace College and give a brief overview of the history of the college and where it is located in Raleigh. I think students could read these fictional diary entries to better understand how the college impacted education in NC. We could read these aloud as a class. By reading about a young adolescent, students would be able to relate to the historical information better. Students would then be told to create a timeline of Peace College from 1857-present, focusing mostly on the many roles the college has had throughout the years. Students would be encouraged to include any other information on their timelines that they found to be interesting. In order to aid them in creating their timelines, students would be given access to computers. In addition, students would also be encouraged to illustrate and decorate their timelines. Next, in their journals, students would be instructed to write a letter to the founder of Peace College, William Peace, describing how or why they think Peace College has impacted education in North Carolina. I would be able to assess what students have learned by looking at their completed timelines and also by reading their letters to William Peace. By looking at these pieces of student work, I would definitely be able to tell if students truly learned and understood the material.