Developing a life-long passion for learning came hard for Dolores Mae (Line) McFarland
or, as her students knew her, “Miss Line”. However, with the love and support of her
family, as well as her own strength and character, she persevered and left a “legacy
of learning” for her own children and grandchildren to appreciate and enjoy. Dolores’
story as told through her own journaling paints a picture of her life of growing up in the 1920s
and ‘30s (the dirty ‘30s) and teaching in the 1940s (beginning of WWII).
Most students start their freshman year into high school at the age of 15 or 16 years old
but because she took the 3rd and 4th grades in one year, Dolores began her freshman year
in Eddyville, NE at the ripe old age of 12 years and graduated at 16 years. “I was just an
average student and school was not all that easy for me. I did not like math and history, but I
liked general science, English, and art.” “After receiving my teacher’s certificate at
Nebraska State Teachers College, I was lucky to get a contract that fall with The Reed School,
north of Lexington, NE. To my surprise, I liked teaching. I had grades 1 – 8. There were no printed workbooks. I would stay after
school every evening until nearly dark making lesson plans for the next day. I was janitor, I carried coal, built a fire in the pot-bellied
stove every morning, and pumped water for the kids to drink and wash their hands. I also warmed water on the stove to thaw fingers that
were almost frostbitten by the time kids got to school. I was expected to be outside on the school grounds during recess and noon. I was
to organize box socials and administer first aide for any injury that might occur. And for this I got a salary of $60 a month. $15 paid for room
and board and I also walked a quarter of a mile to school every morning.”
Dolores taught for two years but eventually requested from the school board to quit after the first semester of her second year, due to her
recent marriage to Dale McFarland (school teachers in this district could not be married) and his leaving for military service. She shared her teaching memories with her family many times over the years and her thoughts on the importance of education and we (the Dolores McFarland family) feel blessed for those times. Throughout her teaching career she faced many difficulties, however, she seemed to persevere and carry on.
Dolores taught her family and students to live each day with exuberance and joy and to “follow your heart.” She taught them to appreciate the simple things in life like gardening, writing, reading or just taking a nice walk. Mostly, she taught them about selflessness and unwavering love.
It is with great gratitude, pride and thanks that we honor our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
or, as her students knew her, “Miss Line”. However, with the love and support of her
family, as well as her own strength and character, she persevered and left a “legacy
of learning” for her own children and grandchildren to appreciate and enjoy. Dolores’
story as told through her own journaling paints a picture of her life of growing up in the 1920s
and ‘30s (the dirty ‘30s) and teaching in the 1940s (beginning of WWII).
Most students start their freshman year into high school at the age of 15 or 16 years old
but because she took the 3rd and 4th grades in one year, Dolores began her freshman year
in Eddyville, NE at the ripe old age of 12 years and graduated at 16 years. “I was just an
average student and school was not all that easy for me. I did not like math and history, but I
liked general science, English, and art.” “After receiving my teacher’s certificate at
Nebraska State Teachers College, I was lucky to get a contract that fall with The Reed School,
north of Lexington, NE. To my surprise, I liked teaching. I had grades 1 – 8. There were no printed workbooks. I would stay after
school every evening until nearly dark making lesson plans for the next day. I was janitor, I carried coal, built a fire in the pot-bellied
stove every morning, and pumped water for the kids to drink and wash their hands. I also warmed water on the stove to thaw fingers that
were almost frostbitten by the time kids got to school. I was expected to be outside on the school grounds during recess and noon. I was
to organize box socials and administer first aide for any injury that might occur. And for this I got a salary of $60 a month. $15 paid for room
and board and I also walked a quarter of a mile to school every morning.”
Dolores taught for two years but eventually requested from the school board to quit after the first semester of her second year, due to her
recent marriage to Dale McFarland (school teachers in this district could not be married) and his leaving for military service. She shared her teaching memories with her family many times over the years and her thoughts on the importance of education and we (the Dolores McFarland family) feel blessed for those times. Throughout her teaching career she faced many difficulties, however, she seemed to persevere and carry on.
Dolores taught her family and students to live each day with exuberance and joy and to “follow your heart.” She taught them to appreciate the simple things in life like gardening, writing, reading or just taking a nice walk. Mostly, she taught them about selflessness and unwavering love.
It is with great gratitude, pride and thanks that we honor our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.