Griselda Pinedo
TESP 503 Soul of Teaching
Extra Credit
JANE ADAMS 1860-1935
1.) How did Jane Addams historical context, especially the trends in
urbanization and immigration, shape her character and ideas?
Jane Addams is known as a social reformer and an activist because she stood
up for what she believed in. The historical context of her time was eventful and
had a significant impact on shaping her character and ideas. For one, Jane
Adams lived during a vast increase in industrialization. Consequently,
industrialization initiated a transformation in the nation’s landscape and evolved
rural and farming communities to urbanization and factories.
Evidently, Jane Adams is a woman with strong convictions, values, and a great
amount of empathy for the marginalized. An influx of immigrants came in search
of the American dream, and settled in congested parts of the city and had poor
living standards. In addition, women were trying to make a living, maintain a
family, and worked in factories with unsafe conditions and long hours.
Essentially, Adams loved education and saw the many needs that were not being
met, specifically the needs of women, children, and the poor.
2.) How did Addams educational autobiography, especially her interpretation
of immigration and urbanization, shape her social and educational
philosophy?
Jane grew up having a model life. Her father was a positive influence for her and
taught her to be of service to others and live a moral and ethical life. Jane also
loved learning. She studied at a seminary for women and learned about
traditional topics such as Latin, Greek, and astronomy. Because she had a
college education, that made her a modern woman for her time. Jane went on to
attend medical school but did not complete her studies due to illness. Aside from
her studies, Adams traveled around Europe. While there, she was inspired to
establish a settlement house where she could employ her talents for the service
of others and help improve society.
3.) How did Adams’s educational philosophy of socialized education shape
her social and educational policies and practices?
Adams believed that the community and learning from each other was a
significant source of education. To boot, Adams was anti-establishment and
criticized educational methods traditionally used at that time such as
memorization and teacher-centered pedagogy. She believed in learning by
doing, experimenting, and making learning interesting and relevant to the
student. Adams put her education to great use and provided education at Hull
House for the marginalized: women, economically disadvantaged people, and
immigrants. Adams believed social reform was critical and needed and a log of
4.) What is the continuing significance of Addams contribution to U.S. social
educational ideas?
Adams changed the traditional paradigm for public schooling and her ideas and
educational philosophy can relate to much of the needs in education we are
experiencing today. The contributions she made to education were evident at
Hull House. She believed in making education flexible, meeting the needs of
learners, and to ensure to engage students in the learning process. The
overarching contribution she made to our educational system was the need for
multicultural education, the benefits of a diverse student body, and the need to
make learning relevant to immigrants.