My maternal grandmother graduated from HS at age 16. She graduated from a 2-year teacher's college at age 18. She then taught grades 1-8 in the proverbial one-room schoolhouse until she married in her 20s. She was paid a salary and the local community kept up the school, provided fire wood for the iron stove, etc. Until she had her stroke, I was always impressed with her mastery of English, logic, and such.
Her father, my maternal great-grand father, had an eighth grade education. He made his living running a grocery store and was on the school board. I knew him only as a child, but I was told he was a pillar of the community, read non-fiction books on history, philosophy, etc. in addition to his Bible every day.
Both were plenty educated, but lacked formal credentials. I think we now have many credentialed educators who are poorly educated.
