By the time she formally entered the teacher education program at the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) in the 1880s, Frances Bentley was already developing the core tenets of what would later be called "individualized instruction."
Shifting from "why is this happening to me?" to "how is this making me stronger?" frances bentley teacher
What strikes me most about Frances is the environment she fosters. Her classroom is a safe haven for curiosity. She encourages students to ask "why," to challenge assumptions, and to not be afraid of making mistakes. She treats every student with immense respect, which in turn creates a culture of mutual respect among the peers. You never feel like just a name on a roster in her class; you feel seen, heard, and valued. By the time she formally entered the teacher