Illinois State University, College of Education has announced the acquisition of American artist Rex Parker’s “Miss Pleasant: One-Room School Teacher.” Poster. The image is a tribute to the steadfast commitment to teaching excellence at Illinois State University.
The poster dramatically integrates visual elements of several historic photographs of the artist’s grandmother Monona “Pleasant” Parker (1895-1994) from Moweaqua, Illinois who was a remarkable one room school teacher in central Illinois and southern Indiana during the 1910’s.
“I am thrilled that the poster will be displayed at the Eyestone School Museum on the ISU campus, my grandmother loved teaching,” said Parker. The Eyestone School is a one-room, old-fashioned school house that offers wooden desks, McGuffey Readers, slates, and a coal stove. It was named for Lura Eyestone, a loyal alumna and a retired member of the Thomas Metcalf School. Eyestone graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1892 and joined the Illinois State faculty in 1903. She remained on the faculty until her retirement in 1939.