More on Yesterday's Child

I have been thinking more today about yesterday's child since my morning blog, things such as my favorite teachers, classrooms, classmates, etc. As a result, I came up with these questions/responses about yesterday's school child.

First, in what grade did I have my first boyfriend? Why, first grade, of course! I remember that 2 little boys both said that I was their girlfriend, and, while standing in line outside the restroom, Mrs. Waters teased them about me. I remember being awfully proud to be claimed by 2 very cute little boys!

Second: In what grade were you first punished? That would be second grade. Another little girl was talking; yet, I was accused of that dasdardly deed, so to the hallway I was sent! Who should come down the hall but our principal (In those days, we were afraid of the chief!) but he just said hello and kept going (Whew!!)

Third: What happened when your parents found out that you had gotten in trouble at school? It was a worse punishment for sure! I only remember that one time but I remember what I was told if I did misbehave!

Fourth: Were you ever felt honored by something your teacher said or did for you? Many times. When I was in first grade, the high school glee club teacher came to our class to hear each child sing "Away in a Manger"; she was looking for a boy and a girl to sing this carol in the Christmas Pageant. George and I were chosen! (I didn't really understand. I just sang as I always did). The proudest happened during my seventh-grade year when the high school chorus teacher came and asked me to sing with the high school glee club!! What a thrill that was!! I was also song leader of my eighth grade class and had the honor of writing our class song. In my ninth year, I was elected treasurer of my Freshmen class. These are my favorites.

Fifth: Were you ever embarrassed or "put down" by a teacher? Unfortunately, yes. I was told in no uncertain terms by one of my middle grade teachers that I could not draw and that I should never try to draw another line! (I didn't for many years and dreaded taking Art Methods in college when I was studying to be a teacher). Now, I'm not that bad...bad, but not that bad!

Sixth: Who was your favorite teacher? I had several but will choose 3. I loved my first grade teacher, probably because it was my first year. She gave all of us a dyed live chick for Easter. Mine was yellow, my favorite color, and he turned out to be a very mean rooster! He would peck us and chase us around the yard. One day I came home from school and Roody was gone! I'm not sure but I believe one of my parents' friends enjoyed him for dinner!
In elementary school, it was my sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Mc. She would take us home with her and she was always such a pleasant person. (She taught me what a sanctuary is and I have never forgotten that). In high school, without question, my English teacher, Mrs. Y., taught me so much more than English. Yet, I learned so much English under her that when I took my college entrance exams, I scored a perfect score on the English part, was exempt from English I and began with English II Honors! I owe that to her! She also directed the Senior Play and I give her the credit for my receiving a part as well as for my success there. She nurtured my creativity and praised my performance. I will never forget these 3 teachers. I just hope that, during my short tenure as a classroom teacher, that I, too, touched someone's life in a special way that they will cherish.

Seventh: What was your favorite subject? For certain, it was never Math! It was always English! I loved diagramming sentences; I especially loved the grammar part. Spelling, phonics and phonetics always interested me. (Once, I remember aggravating my cousin when I kept questioning why the word "ESSO" was pronounced "s-o". She would get so upset with me but I persisted that there had to be a reason. When I was a college student, I learned why (I knew there had to be a reason!)

What do you remember most about your old school building? It was a classic! The floors were the old, black hardwood that the janitors would put this green stuff on each Friday (I don't know why). There was no air-conditioning just lots of big windows in each room. The girls' bathroom was downstairs in a dark, gloomy hallway...almost spooky! The building was heated with piles and piles of coal that the janitors were constantly shoveling into the huge furnace. The sick room was at the end of one of the halls, partitioned off with 2 cots (which had sheets on them that weren't often changed). Once a year, the county nurse would come, line us up in the hall, and vaccinate us (what for, I'm not really sure). Usually, by the time that big needle got to me (my last name starting with a "T") it was some kind of DULL! Ouch!! Grades one through 12 attended school in that same building. Outside the cafeteria, there was a huge, round hand washing machine which, when you stepped on the pedals, water would flow. Once we were in high school, after going through the cafeteria line and eating a little, we were allowed to cross the street to the little store. That's where we really ate our lunch. Some of the playground equipment would probably be considered unsafe today. There were chains hanging down with handles on them which we would hold onto and run around lifting our feet up; some kids were release their handles and they would go flying around banging our hands. The old building is gone down and replaced by the county jail! I miss that old building and all the memories that were within those walls.

I could go on and on but will stop for now. Perhaps at a later date, and upon your requests, I will continue my walk down the memory lane of yesterday's child.