Olander, Lydia Cecilia

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:7396#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Lydia Olander was born on December 6, 1886 in Orion, Illinois. Her parents emigrated from Sweden so that her father could become a minster. After he was ordained, he and her mother were married, on July 1876. Olander’s father was called to a parish in Minneapolis in 1900, where the family then moved. Olander graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis in 1904. She chose to attend St. Cloud State because she always wanted to teach. Plus, her sister and friends had also attended the school. She graduated in June 1905 , then accepted teaching position for third and fourth grade in Brownton, Minnesota, where she taught for 2 years. Olander then took a position in the Minneapolis Public Schools. Here she taught at Van Cleve School and Hale School from 1929 to 1954. She also worked as a secretary for the American Vocational Institute, and taught courses at the American Business College. Later in her life she became very involved in St. Cloud State alumni activities.

Transcript Summary: Olander described her family history. She discussed her parents, who both emigrated from Sweden. Her father came over to become a minister for the Lutheran Church of America, then sent for her mother, whom he married in 1876. Olander recalled her decision to attend St. Cloud State, which was influenced both by her desire to teach as well as she had friends at the school.

Olander chronicled her time at St. Cloud State, completing her program in one year. She described living in Lawrence Hall, which burned down during her stay, forcing her to move in with some St. Cloud residents. Olander talked about her extracurricular activities, including the Glee Club.

Olander spent most of her teaching career in the Minneapolis Public School system teaching from third to sixth grade. She also attended the University of Minnesota to get licensed to teach junior high. Olander described her experiences working both at the American Vocational Institute and the American Business College.

Miscellaneous Material:
Photographs: Photos of Olander's family, St. Cloud Glee Club, family homes, schools she taught at, and others
Newspaper Clipping: One article by Barbara Flanagan on Olander's teaching career
Other: Teaching Certificate issued in 1907, offer to teach in Minneapolis Public Schools, other administrative materials related to teaching in Minneapolis Public Schools.