Christopher Dock

His teaching techniques stood in contrast to the norm of the day, and emphasized character building and discussion in lieu of physical punishment.

He wrote, in German, the earliest known teaching methods text in the U.S., Schul-Ordnung (School Management), a book on general pedagogy.

He sought to build character in his students, using persuasion, discussion, and positive peer pressure to encourage the highest standards of behavior among them.

He disciplined poor behavior and attitudes with thoughtfulness and understanding, seeking to make the punishment suitable to the student as well as to the infraction being addressed.

Christopher Dock gave his students little illustrations of a bird or a flower, as well as "Vorschriften" (writing lessons), as rewards.