Emma Stark

Emily Arabella "Emma" Stark[1][2] (born February 17, 1856) was a Canadian teacher.[3] She was known as the first Black Canadian teacher in Vancouver Island and the first teacher in the new North Cedar School, in 1874.[3]

Emma Stark
Emma Stark, daughter of Louis and Sylvia Stark. Image Credit: Courtesy of Myrtle Holloman, Salt Spring Island, B.C. & Peggy Cartwight
Born
Emily Arabella Stark

(1856-02-17)February 17, 1856
California, United States
Died(1890-07-31)July 31, 1890 (aged 33)
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Other namesEmily Arabella (Emma) Stark
EducationSalt Spring Island Central School and Nanaimo high school, Teacher's certificate
OccupationTeacher
Years active1874-1890
Spouse(s)James Clarke (m. 1878)
Parent(s)Louis Stark, Sylvia (née Estes) Stark

Early life

Emily Arabella (Emma) Stark was born on February 17, 1856, in California, United States to parents, Louis (1816-1895) and Sylvia Stark (1840-1944).[1][2] Emma was the eldest of 6 siblings.[2] Her brother, Willis Otis (1858-1943), was born a couple years later in California.[2] In 1860, Emma arrived with her family on Salt Spring Island, B.C.[3] While on Salt Spring Island, her siblings: John Edmond (1860-1930), Abraham Lincoln (1863-1908), Hannah "Anne" Serena (1866-1888) and Marie Albertine (1867-1966) were born.[1][2] The Estes-Stark family moved to Cedar, Nanaimo in 1875, where Emma's youngest sister Louisa Edna was born (1878-1971).[1][2]

Personal life

Emma married James Clarke on December 28, 1878.[1][3] In 1890, Emma died at the age of 33 from an undetermined illness.[1][3]

Education

Emma completed elementary school at Salt Spring Island Central School.[1] She then moved to Nanaimo with her father and completed secondary school at Nanaimo high school.[1] After Emma graduated high school, she trained to be a teacher.[1][4]

Career

Emma became a teacher at the age of 18 years.[1] In August 1874, she was hired to teach in a 1-room school in the Cedar District.[1][2] Emma's starting salary was $40.00 per month, in 1874.[2][3] She stayed in a cabin that was provided for the teacher.[1] Students who lived a long way from the school boarded with Emma, including her younger sister Marie.[3]

Further Readings

References
  1. blackhistory. "Emma Stark – BC Black History Awareness Society". Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  2. "Emily Arabella "Emma" Stark Clark (1857-1890) -..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  3. "First Black Teacher on Vancouver Island: Emma Stark". British Columbia’s Black Pioneers. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  4. "Estes - Stark Collection". www.saltspringarchives.com. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
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