Pupils’ Reminiscences about their Teachers in the Published Histories of the Finnish Girls’ School in Turku, from the Late 19th Century to 2007

Authors

• Marjo Nieminen Turun yliopisto

Abstract

The aim of the article is to elaborate how former girls’ school (Finnish girls’ school in Turku) pupils reminisced about their teachers and the interaction between them. The source material covers 130 years of secondary and upper secondary schools’ history, from the late 1900th century to 2007. The reminiscence writings are part of the school’s five published histories. Reminiscence materials reveal how versatile and reciprocal the pupil–teacher relationships were, and brought up detailed descriptions of teachers’ physical features and conduct. Altogether the reminiscences were positive and had nostalgic connotations. The writings dated from the late 19th or early 20th century included memories where pupils recalled how they admired or even ‘adored’ their teachers. Admiration changed to exemplariness in the 1960s–70s. The little reminiscence narratives highlight the change in the school culture and teachers’ position. The turn strengthened in the 1980s when the focus of the reminiscences shifted to pupils’ individual life. Changes in the reminiscence writings reflect the changes in the whole society and the rise of individuality where people’s personal lives and life courses are in the centre.