The Importance of Education

Booker T. Washington: 3rd Grade The Importance of Education

3rd Grade: Booker T. Washington

Life After The Civil War

In 1865, Booker’s family moved to West Virginia, where his step-father, Washington “Wash” Ferguson, was working. The family needed money so Booker started working. He even worked in a coal mine from the time he was 10 to 12 years old. But all the while, Booker had a strong desire, or determination, to go to school. His mother gave him a spelling book, and he spent hours studying it.

While working in the coal mines one day, Booker heard about an amazing school called the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia. It would cost money to attend the school, so he worked very hard and saved his money. During this time, he collected every book he could find and stored them in a dry goods box.

Booker Earns A Spot In School

The following year, Booker was determined to go to Hampton. He walked nearly 500 miles to reach the school of his dreams.

To get into the school, Booker had to take an entrance exam, but it was quite different from the tests we have today. Instead of multiple choice questions, he had to clean a room! A teacher inspected the room with a white handkerchief to see if he had left any dirt behind. Booker passed the test and was accepted into Hampton.

At Hampton, Booker studied different subjects like reading, math, agriculture, manners, personal cleanliness, public speaking, and debate. He worked hard and graduated with honors in 1875. He was even selected to speak at the graduation ceremony!

Booker Becomes a Principal

Booker T. Washington later became the principal of a new school called the Tuskegee Normal School in Alabama. It was supposed to train Black teachers, but at first, the school didn’t have much money or a building. However, Booker was determined. With the help of the community and the students, the school opened in 1881. The school grew because of the hard work and determination of Booker and the students. They built buildings, made bricks for the buildings and sold bricks for money.

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