George Sumner Alber was an educator born in Hume, Allegany County, N.Y.

Career and Accomplishments

Alber was educated in common schools and academies in New York and Vermont. He began teaching at the age of 18. In 1864 he graduated from the University of Michigan, and was then principal of the high school Peoria, Illinois. In 1865 he moved to Wisconsin and was principal of the Kenosha high school from 1865 to 1868 and superintendent of Racine city schools from 1868 to 1871. Albee was chosen as its first president at the state normal school when it was established in Oshkosh in 1871 and he remained in this position until his death. He organized the school's curriculum during his tenure, and through his persistent efforts helped establish the first U.S. kindergarten to be connected directly with a normal school. He believed in giving direct personal attention to students, and urged the faculty at Oshkosh to regard every student as an individual personality. He also served as president of the Wisconsin Teachers' Association and the Wisconsin Principals' Association.

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George Sumner Albee

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]