Years of Teaching
Before the establishment of the Teaching Profession Act of 1944 and the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, the career of the teacher was a precarious one. The dominant workers in the field, women, were usually forced to teach at lower wages than their male counterparts, had little hope of advancement, were put on temporary contracts when they married, and even those were nullified when they became pregnant (vestiges of this practice lasted up until the 1960’s).
As a man, therefore, Harry Ricker had a leg up from his female colleagues – however, he was also forced to lead an itinerant lifestyle for the first twenty-five years of his career, as he endeavoured to negotiate better wages with each new school board.
It is little wonder, therefore, that while the life of the Normal School Master was a demanding one (he taught several different courses each year, acted as a model school master, and engaged in numerous extra-curricular activities), it offered the one thing other sectors did not at the time – some semblance of security for men.
Additional Certifications
Cadet Training
Like most men just before the First World War, Harry enrolled for cadet training. With family responsibilities and nearsightedness, however, he was unlikely to be enlisted.
Public School Inspection
This offered a ‘royal road’ for the few ambitious men of the time who could achieve it (less than 5% of inspectors consisted of women). A stressful certificate to gain, individuals had to face a provincial board headed by the chief inspector.
Physical Training Instruction
To give himself more options, Harry took courses to allow him to teach Physical Training in schools (considered a value-added part of the regular curriculum).
High School Principal’s Certification
After teaching as a temporary High School principal since 1913, Harry finally gained permanent certification in 1915 to officially hold this prestigious position.
Interim Intermediate Certificate in Agriculture
To gain this certificate he cherished, Harry spent two summer sessions at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph – while teaching at Normal School!
Bachelor of Pedagogy
Considered a pinnacle of his academic career - and a new request that all Normal Schoolmasters should have - he received this Bachelor of Pedagogy from the Ontario College of Education in 1927.