Esther Frances How
| Hester How | |
|---|---|
| Born | Esther Frances How 29 January 1849 Ireland |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | Hessie How |
| Occupation | educator |
| Known for | public education for trouble youth in Ontario, juvenile court system |
Esther Frances How (January 29, 1848 – September 22, 1915), better known as Hester How, was a teacher who help turn around delinquent boys in 19th century Toronto.[1]
How was born in Ireland in 1848 to Thomas Ferguson How and Catherine J. How and immigrated to Canada West in 1849.[1] How graduated from Toronto Normal School and began her teaching career in 1871.[1]
It was in 1879 when How was hired under the direction of Toronto Mayor William Holmes Howland and public school inspector James L. Hughes to helped establish a school for trouble youth[2] that help establish her as an advocate for trouble youth and helping steer youth from trouble as well as steering them away from being handle in the adult court system towards a juvenile justice system.[3]
The school she help from was renamed after her in 1912 and she retired from teaching a year later.[1]
How died in Toronto in 1915.[1]
Legacy
Beside Hester How Public School (former Elizabeth Street Public School now demolished and located in what is the east entrance of Hospital for Sick Children), a day care centre at Toronto City Hall (opened 1990) is named after her.
