Mary Beard

We lived in the schoolhouse of the village school in Church Preen, in deepest Shropshire, and my mum was the schoolmistress. She taught the juniors, and one other teacher taught the infants. I went there from the age of three, no doubt as a form of childcare.

The term 'schoolmistress' refers exclusively to women, similar to 'headmistress' for female school leaders.

Gender Specific

The word implies authority and responsibility within the school environment.

Authority Implied

The use of 'schoolmistress' is more common in British English and might be rare or old-fashioned elsewhere.

Not Universal

Used for describing a woman's role in an educational context, historically set in her own home.

Historical Context

Refers to someone providing education outside the public school system, often paid for by students' families.

Private Education

In contemporary times, the term is considered archaic and may imply outdated methods.

Schoolmistress