Rural teachers

This piece of art is a beautiful painting in its own right, but the story behind it adds another dimension.  It was painted by the Canadian Robert Harris after he met and heard the story of a teacher in one of the rural schools of Canada.  Here all ages of children were taught together in a single room, often poorly equipped and without any of the supplies we might think essential.

The story, set in Prince Edward Island, tells of a meeting of the school trustees who were questioning the teacher's methods.  She overcomes their objections by explaining that the son of one of the trustees can read from the Bible, something the trustee himself couldn't do.  The painting featured as one Canada's stamps in 1980.  It also featured as one of Canada's Heritage minutes, short films depicting some Canadian history.  It's very good to hear of history and heritage being highlighted in this way.

There is an audioguide to the painting to be found on Cybermuse.