Antonia Suau Mercadal (1908-2004), Head of Language and Literature in Secondary Education: A Model for Training Future Secondary School Teachers

Abstract

This work highlights the solid pedagogical-didactic training acquired by Antonia Suau Mercadal (1908-2004), one of the top Heads of Language and Literature in Secondary Education in Spain. This Majorcan teacher was a ‘candidate for secondary education teaching training’ at the Instituto-Escuela de Madrid, took part in activities for scientific advancement and collaborated in research linked to her discipline at the Centro de Estudios Históricos [Centre for Historical Studies], enabling her to improve her initial training and discover the latest advances in the field of philology. She also took part in selection and improvement courses held in 1933 to be a Head Year Teacher, and was part of the innovative experience of the Instituto para Obreros de Valencia [Institute for Valencian Workers] during the final years of the 2nd Republic. After taking an open civil service examination in 1943, she was again named Head of Language and Literature for Secondary Education. During those dark years, teachers who chose to remain in Spain had to abide by the regulations of the new regime, or be pushed aside, without the possibility of applying the accumulated knowledge from advanced and innovative schools; indeed, they had to learn how to survive. Despite this, in her educational work up to 1978, she was an outstanding
teacher loved by her students.

Key words: Teaching training for secondary education, Instituto-Escuela de Madrid, Instituto para Obreros de Valencia, Spanish Language and Literature Teaching.