Professional Formation of a Female Teacher in the Early 20th Century: The Case of the Biography of E.I. Komissarova, a Baptized Tatar Woman

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the conditions that influenced the life path of a representative of the Tatar-Kryashen community, who received her education at the Diocesan School and later dedicated herself to teaching in Tatar schools in the Kazan province. To achieve this, the author conducted an analysis of E.I. Komissarova’s biography, studying her social background and tracing her educational journey from a zemstvo school to the Kazan Diocesan Women’s School and further retraining during the Soviet period. The author also examined the curriculum of the school, which included both general education and practical subjects, as well as the employment and financial situation of the teachers, including differences in salaries between "ministerial" and zemstvo schools and the methods of compensating teachers with long-term teaching experience; the teacher’s adaptation to new conditions during the Soviet period through educational courses, teaching at a pedagogical college, studying at the Kazan Oriental Pedagogical Institute; the contribution of a baptized Tatar woman to the teaching of Russian language and literature, as well as her social activities. The scientific significance of the study lies in the fact that for the first time ego documents reflecting Komissarova’s educational and professional path were introduced into scientific circulation. It is concluded that social origin, religious affiliation, and the service of her father and uncle influenced the formation of Evgenia Iosifovna as a teacher for Tatar schools.