New England Association of Teachers of English Records
Established in 1901, the New England Association of Teachers of English (NEATE) was the first association of English teachers in America. Through conferences, executive board meetings, and the regular publication of The Leaflet, NEATE aimed to bring together New England’s English teachers to study the methodology and history of the field, as well as observe innovations and new practices in the world of education.
While the collection is expected to grow, it currently consists of meeting minutes, conference records, correspondence between members, issues of The Leaflet, two published histories of the organization, and two early record books of NEATE ranging in date from 1901-1938.
Background on New England Association of Teachers of English
On February 23, 1901, the New England Association of Teachers of English (NEATE) met for the first time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization of 300 teachers, led by an executive board of five men and two women, set forth on their mission: “To advance the study and the teaching of English language and literature,†throughout the schools of New England.
As the first association of English teachers in America, NEATE was involved with many national decisions concerning the public and private education systems. In 1916, NEATE assisted the College Board in creating the College Entrance Examination Board’s first Comprehensive Examination in English, starting a long-lasting relationship between the two organizations. NEATE also collaborated with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) since the council’s formation in 1911. New England was the proud host of several NCTE conventions, including one held in Boston in 1981 to commemorate NEATE’s eightieth birthday.
The requirements to join NEATE involved an application process, but since its inception, NEATE applicants didn’t even have to be a teacher of English in order to become a member. Most of the initial communication within the association was through their meetings. Eventually, “The Leaflet†became a regular publication of NEATE as a way to spread information between meetings and conferences, as well as stimulate conversation during these events. Covering topics such as grammar, written work, and the importance of a large teaching staff in secondary schools, “The Leaflet†became a point of pride for NEATE.
Contents of Collection
The records of NEATE offer a unique look at the history of educational systems of
America. In issues of “The Leaflet†dating from the early 1900s, one of the
greatest debates within the organization is how to incorporate the rising media forms of film and radio into the classroom. Letters between members of the executive board give a behind-the-scenes look at the complicated dynamics surrounding each election, while personal invitations from past students to high school reunions offer a glimpse into the profound effect NEATE members had on their classrooms. The detailed minutes of the 1970s conferences indicate a formal switch from the usage of the word “Chairman†to “Chairperson†as the organization made a conscious effort to use non-sexist language. Flyers advertising conferences, promoting appearances by famous figures such as Robert Frost and Stephen King, aim to draw new members to join NEATE.
Organized chronologically by year, the NEATE collection focuses on the executive board of the association, consisting of mostly minutes of meetings and correspondence. Annual reports of the secretary and president, as well as membership directories, election materials, and financial information provide detailed records of the association. Conference materials include minutes, advertisements, agendas, and correspondence, mostly in the form of invitations. Copies of “The Leaflet†and booklets of the winners of an annual poetry competition are included. The collection also contains newsletters from NEATE and those of New England high schools, as well as curriculum planning for various English courses. The organization’s history and objectives are brought together with a 1981 “Memory Book of NEATE,†and several versions of the NEATE Constitution.
Administrative information
Access
The collection is open for research.
Language:
English
Provenance
Gift of New England Association of Teachers of English, 2017.
Processing Information
Processed by Isabelle Eastman, October 2018.
Copyright and Use (More information
)
Cite as: New England Association of Teachers of English Records (MS 1011). Special
Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Libraries.