Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 14th Year - 2018

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The Toronto Normal School

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

On the north side of Gould Street across from Bond Street stands a statue of Egerton Ryerson. Just to the east of the statue you can see this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.658117 -79.378867

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The Toronto Normal School, the first provincial institution for the systematic training of elementary school-teachers, was established in 1847 through the initiative of the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Schools for Canada West. In 1852 the School was located in Classical Revival style buildings designed for this site by F.W. Cumberland and Thomas Ridout. At first the Normal School had to provide academic instruction for some poorly educated student-teachers, but, increasingly, emphasis was placed on professional training. As a result the Toronto Normal School contributed significantly to the gradual improvement of teaching standards throughout Ontario and it became a leading centre for teacher-training. In 1941 the Normal School was moved to a different site and renamed Toronto Teachers' College in 1953.

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted October 16, 2013
My Grandfather, James Laird Hicks, attended the school around 1930.

> Posted January 20, 2010
Mr Grandmother, Mary Sedaney Elizabeth Wedgerfield, attended the Toronto Commercial and Normal School sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Are there any records of her attendance and/or any information about the syllabus that would have been taught during her time at the school? It would be fascinating to get any information that would be available of the time when my Grandmother attended Normal School in Toronto. Thanks in advance for any information I may be able to obtain.
Emma Brinson

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