Location
The City of Toronto
On the north side of Gould Street, west of Church Street across from Bond Street
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Photographer
Alan L Brown
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Posted
March 19, 2004
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Text from the Plaque
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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