Milwaukee State Teachers College

Milwaukee State Teachers College was a public institution of higher education located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that operated from 1927 to 1951. The college was established to provide training for teachers in the Milwaukee Public Schools and other school districts in the region, with a focus on elementary education and secondary education. The college was affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. During its operation, the college was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Association of Teachers Colleges.

● History

The history of the college dates back to 1927, when the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law authorizing the establishment of a state teachers college in Milwaukee County. The college was initially located in a building on North Avenue in Milwaukee, but later moved to a new campus on Downer Avenue. The college was led by a series of presidents, including Charles McCarthy, who served from 1927 to 1935, and Franklyn Johnson, who served from 1935 to 1945. During World War II, the college played an important role in training teachers and other educators for the United States Armed Forces. The college was also a member of the American Council on Education and the National Education Association.

● Campus

The campus of the college was located on Downer Avenue in Milwaukee, near the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County Zoo. The campus included several buildings, including a library, a gymnasium, and a dormitory. The college also had a number of laboratories and classrooms for science education, mathematics education, and language education. The campus was designed by the architectural firm of Eschweiler & Eschweiler, which also designed the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Pabst Mansion. The college was surrounded by other educational institutions, including the Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

● Academics

The college offered a range of academic programs, including bachelor's degrees in elementary education, secondary education, and special education. The college also offered master's degrees in educational administration and curriculum and instruction. The college was known for its strong programs in music education, art education, and physical education. The college had a number of departments, including the Department of Education, the Department of Psychology, and the Department of Sociology. The college was accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The college had partnerships with other institutions, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

● Notable Alumni

The college had a number of notable alumni, including Herbert Kohl, who served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1989 to 2013, and Tom Barrett, who served as the Mayor of Milwaukee from 2004 to 2021. Other notable alumni include Gwen Moore, who has served as a United States Representative from Wisconsin's 4th congressional district since 2005, and Scott Walker, who served as the Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. The college also had a number of alumni who went on to become educators and administrators in the Milwaukee Public Schools and other school districts in the region, including Superintendent of Schools Howard Fuller and Principals Michael Bonds and Darienne Driver. The college's alumni have also included notable figures in the fields of medicine, law, and business, including Dr. John Raymond, the President of the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Michael Grebe, the former CEO of the Bradley Foundation.

● Legacy

The legacy of the college can be seen in the many educators and leaders who graduated from the institution and went on to make significant contributions to the field of education and beyond. The college's emphasis on teacher training and educational leadership helped to shape the education system in Wisconsin and the United States. The college's campus is now home to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, which continues to offer programs in education and other fields. The college's alumni association is still active, and many of its alumni continue to be involved in education and community service in the Milwaukee area and beyond, including through organizations such as the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association and the Wisconsin Education Association Council. The college's legacy is also reflected in the many awards and honors that its alumni have received, including the National Teacher of the Year award and the Milwaukee Business Journal's 40 Under 40 award. Category:Defunct universities and colleges in Wisconsin