*Image is Washington Street School Class for the Blind, undated
c. 1871-1964
Janet Paterson helped found the first class for the Blind in Newark with Lydia Young Hayes and was the first teacher of the Blind, at Washington Street School in 1910. The NJ Commission for the Blind calls it the first “integrated class” in the state for Blind students. From their 1913 report, it appears Paterson managed both integrated and separated Blind students.
Paterson lived and taught in Newark for 29 years. By 1935, when her 25th anniversary of teaching was honored, there were 6 classes for Blind and low-vision students and she was “Head Teacher of Braille and Sight Conservation Classes.” In 1938, she was honored by the National Education Association. She died in 1964 in Massachusetts.
Bibliography
Finding Aid Mary and Louise Curcio Collection, NJHS
NJ Commission for the Blind newsletter, annual report 1913
Featured image, Newark Schools Collection, Newark Library
Paterson, Janet, Newark News Morgue, Newark Library