Memories triggered by the beginning of the school year.
—–First grade. Miss Faye Holland. Sweet, pretty. Large tables for six of us beginning our journey. Great spot for socializing. HOWEVER, the third time I talked without permission, Miss Holland called my parents.
Lesson learned !
—–Second grade. Miss Cassie Youmans. Not Miss Holland. No, not Miss Holland at all. Stern, grumpy, no nonsense dictator. Sign around my neck ( worn all day ) which said TATTLETALE ! Never told on anyone again.
Lesson learned !
—–Third grade. Mrs. Flora Bonner. Demanding and ill ( did not complete the school year ). Focus on multiplication tables. My responsibility was the 8s. In fear and trembling, I stood before the class and recited perfectly ! Ask me the 8s.
Lesson learned !
—–Fourth grade. Mrs. Lena Smith. Warm, caring. Caught me looking at Darby Cannon’s answer on a test and told me that I was better than that. Never, EVER, cheated on anything, anytime, anywhere after that.
Lesson learned !
—–Fifth grade. Mrs. Frances Gantt. Family friend, outstanding teacher. Had always called her by her first name, but changed to Aunt Frances for obvious reasons. Was as tough on me as she was her own daughter, Betsy. No nonsense tolerated ever.
Lesson learned !
—– Sixth grade. Miss Kathleen Sewell. My role model. Strong, focused. I was her favorite without a doubt, and I treasured that. Made one attempt to take advantage of it and was promptly “shot down “.
Lesson learned !
—– Seventh and eighth grade. Mrs. Nannie Sue Maret. Master teacher, strong leader. Even with an English major from UGA, I can truthfully say that I learned all the grammar I ever needed ( or used ) from Mrs. Maret. She was the best.
Lesson learned !
Would that I could, once again, hear the words of wisdom so freely given by these seven Lavonia Grammar School teachers.
So, to any parents or grandparents who may read this : treasure the teachers ; respect their expertise ; appreciate their knowledge ; listen to their opinions.
Perfect ? No. But , then, who is ?
Lessons learned, remembered , and appreciated………….
Thanks. I smiled as I automatically substituted my grade school teachers names for yours.
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!
Love it.
Thank you………..
Loved this one!!
Thank you, Annette, for reading and responding.
Loved it! I folllowed you most of the way, but never had the pleasure of having Mrs Maret for a teacher, ❤️
We were blessed with the best, no doubt about it. All were different and added a balance that is so valuable.
Elementary School was a safe bubble in which to learn and grow. Many fond memories.
Amen to that !
I remember a classroom with a large bottle of Castor Oil on the teacher’s desk. Three or four spoonsful got her message across or was it just the sight of the ever-present bottle and the words, “Castor Oil” in large print? I was never the one who tasted this punishment.
Discipline in a bottle ! Nothing quite like a visual.
I remember all of those teachers, and would add Miss Sarah Stovall, who was my sixth grade teacher. As I recall, my class was the last that she taught due to advancing age and illness. Talk about a stern, no nonsense, task master, Miss Sarah was the epitome of a drill sergeant instructor. In addition, she did not spare the rod when action necessary. She administered justice with an eighteen inch wood ruler as appropriate. Although most students were somewhat terrified of her, they all respected her teaching ability, and demand for decorum.
Mrs. Ligon Maret (Nannie Sue), was probably every student’s favorite teacher in Grammar School for a host of reasons.
Most notable was her ability to entertain captive students by reciting from memory the text of Treasury Island from beginning to end.
This talent was used when weather conditions outside required students to stay inside during recess breaks. As one can imagine this process required years to finish. One of my big regrets is not taking the time to tell her how much I appreciated her teaching, advice, and support over the years. Unfortunately, talented and effective teachers are never appreciated enough at the time we receive their service.
What memories ! I remember Miss Sarah but never had her as a teacher. She did teach my daddy !!! We were blessed with a village and we have lost much with all the consolidations. So happy that my latest meandering triggered memories for you. We certainly traveled the same path.
Took me back to elementary school days. Fun to reflect back in the wonderful teachers I had at Mt Olivet elementary in Hartwell.
I lived close to the school. One day I left a toy at home that I meant to take with me. Don’t remember what it was called. You strapped it on your foot/heel. There was a ball that was attached and you swung it with one heel and jumped with the other foot.
Well, after riding the bus to school, I left, walked back home, got the toy no one was the wiser.
Love your story ! Always have felt that we lost a lot when the decision was made to ” consolidate ” ! Just don’t know that BIG is always better.
Great you can remember all these teachers that made such a lasting impact on your life! Always love to read your memories
Thank you so much. I just wish I had made an opportunity to tell them that. But by the time I was old enough to appreciate them and all they gave, they had died. Such is life……..