Bio: Hattie Schuster, Caddo Parish La
Source: From Chronicles of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Maude Hearn O'Pry,
1928, 
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown

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HATTIE SCHUSTER
Kindergarten Principal, Community Builder


MISS HATTIE SCHUSTER received her training in Kindergarten in St. Louis under
the renowned Miss Susan E. Blow; was a student of psychology  under the late
W. T. Harris, Commissioner of Education, Washington, D. C., and also under
Miss Maggie MeCulloch, Supervisor of St. Louis Public Kindergarten and holds
her degree from West Marienthal, St. Louis, Missouri.

     Miss Kate P. Nelson engaged Miss Schuster in 1887, to conduct in her 
Seminary the first Kindergarten established in Louisiana outside of a few
already opened in New Orleans, and  during tile four years connected with this
splendid institution of learning, Miss Hattie was showered with honors and
recognition, individually and collectively, by the patrons and by  public
demonstrations.

     She was appointed by the Monteagle Chautauqua Assembly in the summer of
1887 to introduce the first Kindergarten and Teachers' Training Class at
Monteagle, Tenn.  At the close of her work here she was publicly presented
with a testimonial of approval accompanied by a congratulatory speech from
Congressman Jas. D. Richardson of Tennessee.  Her Monteagle work was
endorsed by the highest educationl authority in the United States.
                    
     In the summer of 1897  Miss Schuster served on the faculty of the
Louisiana Chautauqua held at Ruston, La., taking charge of the Model
Kindergarten and a Teachers' Training Class, while the summer of 1906 found
her at the L. S. U. supervising classes in "Special  Methods of
Kindergarten."

     In the fall of 1891 Miss Schuster opened up a private Kindergarten,
limited to thirty pupils, which was progressive and bore a distinction all its
own.   This school grew in popularity and fame until the cry for public
Kindergartens, influenced the Public School Board to elect  Miss Schuster
Supervisor of the Public School Kindergarten Department in 1903.  The U. S.
States Survey taken in 1922 said: "The Shreveport Kindergarten is by far the
best equipped school room in the city, and among the best it has been our
pleasure to observe, and exemplifies the best traditions of the kindergarten
movement.

     "In the matter of personal habits the kindergarten exercises great care;
consideration of the desires and rights of others are emphasized and it
occurred to the observer that if this attitude could be maintained
throughout the whole school experience there would be a much finer type of
boy or girl turned out of our institutions.  Habits of honesty, courtesy,
thoughtfulness are inculcated by practice;  cheerful obedience is     
observed and self-control life's hardest lesson is developed step by step and
the children taught how to live.

     The Shreveport Kindergarten is an eloquent reply to those critics of the
movement who contend that the kindergarten teaches no subject matter."         
     W. S. Deffenbaugh.

     The late Mr. C. E. Byrd called the Kindergarten "The Children's
Paradise."

                         MOTHER'S UNION
     October 3, 1902, Miss Hattie assembled a band of women in her home.  This
resulted in the founding of tile Mothers' Union, of which, for a  time, she
was the leader.  In 1905 it launched the Shreveport Training School for Girls;
in 1911 tile Co-operative and Protective Association was organized.  The
Mothers' Union was also instrumental in organizing the first Parent-Teacher
Associations of the State, and in 1907, we find Miss Schuster Chairman of
Louisiana State Parent-Teacher Association which place she occupied for many
years.  In fact,  Miss Hattie has devoted her life to the welfare of both
Mother and Child with many triumphs aud many struggles. All the while though,
she is furthering the Kindergarten cause and in 1922 appeared before
the Louisiana Legislature for Kindergarten Expansion.

     There was never a time when Miss Schuster considered herself too busy to
attend to the needy that cane under her observation, nor a home too humble for
charitable administration. She found means to help worthy ones back on their
feet again and sometimes would open her own  home to give the girl or woman
the right start.