Author Date

2020-8

Degree Name

Department

Philosophy

College

Humanities

Defense Date

2020-07-27

Publication Date

2020-08-05

First Faculty Advisor

A. LeGrand Richards

First Faculty Reader

Daniel W. Graham

Honors Coordinator

Ryan Christensen

Keywords

Education, Pestalozzi, Maeser, Object Lesson, Brigham Young Academy

Abstract

Karl G. Maeser, the founder of Brigham Young Academy (now Brigham Young University), was able to bring progressive education to a pioneer society largely due to his educational and spiritual preparation. He was trained in the pedagogical methods of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi who believed that children learned best inductively, mainly through observation. Pestalozzi also believed that children were worthy of love and respect. Maeser was able to emulate Pestalozzi’s methods in an unprecedented way not only because the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ aligned so well with Pestalozzi’s methods, but because Maeser strove to have the Spirit of God influence every lesson. The tributes given by his students at Brigham Young Academy are evidence of his unique influence.