To Örebro University

The 19^th and early 20^th centuries saw the feminization of the teaching profession. The aim of this article is to examine the professionalization process of female teachers in Finland and Slovenia in the early 20^th century. We focus on the following questions: What were the requirements for entering female teacher colleges? What kind of skills were future female teachers supposed to learn at teacher colleges? How were female teachers supposed to dress and behave? Based on historical source materials, this article reveals both differences and similarities in these respects. Apart from stating varying requirements for entrance to teacher college, this article indicates the teaching skills that was expected from female teachers, and their individual characteristics. As shown in this article, female teachers were expected to be moral and decent individuals, that behaved well and dress restrainedly. As a result, this article raises questions both regarding how and why female teacher ideals vary across countries, but also over time.