In the fall of 1942, Edith (Wurst) Gloystein was prepared for her first teaching position.
She had taken normal training courses at Utica (Nebraska) High School and passed the tests
required for a teaching certificate. She had observed a veteran teacher for two weeks and
taught by herself in a school for two days. She had poured over the required Nebraska state
course of study which outlined the curriculum for each grade. She had been hired to teach
the five students at Seward County District #7 near Ruby, Nebraska. She was to be paid
$55.00 per month. She was 16 years old. She was ready and eager to teach!
In 1942 World War II impacted most aspects of life in America. News of the war
made its way to the classroom through newspapers, radio reports and first hand
experiences. Many instructional hours were devoted to following the progress of the war
in Europe and in the Pacific. Commodities needed for the war effort including sugar, fruit,
gasoline and tires were rationed nationwide.
As a teacher, Edith was expected to assist with the management and distribution of ration cards to the patrons of her district. Students
were involved in efforts to support the war. They promoted and supported scrap iron drives. Edith and her students collected the
puffy, white floss from milkweed plants found in fields and road ditches. The waterproof, buoyant floss was used to make life vests for
sailors and airmen. Patriotism was high among students and families. Children felt they were making a significant difference for
their country.
The schools where Edith taught participated in annual school traditions. There were end of the year picnics and Christmas programs.
Edith’s talents as a pianist helped showcase the musical skills of some students and cover up the efforts of children who were not so skilled.
School programs were often community events attended by parents, neighbors and friends. Eighth grade students needed to pass
examinations in order to move to high school. Success as a teacher was often linked to the success of those eighth grade students.
There were ball games, outdoor toilets, water carried from an outdoor pump, potbellied stoves, no telephones, and encounters with wild
animals (dead and alive) collected by students on the way to school. Edith taught for five years in Seward County. In addition to her first school in Ruby, she taught at District #3 near Beaver Crossing and at District #6 near Milford.
Because teachers were required to be single ladies, her marriage marked the end of Edith’s formal teaching career. She traded her classroom
responsibilities for those of wife and mother. Her passion for teaching and learning was always evident after she left the classroom.
Edith built friendships and relationships with students and families that have lasted over 70 years. She often said she learned as much as she
taught during her teaching career
She had taken normal training courses at Utica (Nebraska) High School and passed the tests
required for a teaching certificate. She had observed a veteran teacher for two weeks and
taught by herself in a school for two days. She had poured over the required Nebraska state
course of study which outlined the curriculum for each grade. She had been hired to teach
the five students at Seward County District #7 near Ruby, Nebraska. She was to be paid
$55.00 per month. She was 16 years old. She was ready and eager to teach!
In 1942 World War II impacted most aspects of life in America. News of the war
made its way to the classroom through newspapers, radio reports and first hand
experiences. Many instructional hours were devoted to following the progress of the war
in Europe and in the Pacific. Commodities needed for the war effort including sugar, fruit,
gasoline and tires were rationed nationwide.
As a teacher, Edith was expected to assist with the management and distribution of ration cards to the patrons of her district. Students
were involved in efforts to support the war. They promoted and supported scrap iron drives. Edith and her students collected the
puffy, white floss from milkweed plants found in fields and road ditches. The waterproof, buoyant floss was used to make life vests for
sailors and airmen. Patriotism was high among students and families. Children felt they were making a significant difference for
their country.
The schools where Edith taught participated in annual school traditions. There were end of the year picnics and Christmas programs.
Edith’s talents as a pianist helped showcase the musical skills of some students and cover up the efforts of children who were not so skilled.
School programs were often community events attended by parents, neighbors and friends. Eighth grade students needed to pass
examinations in order to move to high school. Success as a teacher was often linked to the success of those eighth grade students.
There were ball games, outdoor toilets, water carried from an outdoor pump, potbellied stoves, no telephones, and encounters with wild
animals (dead and alive) collected by students on the way to school. Edith taught for five years in Seward County. In addition to her first school in Ruby, she taught at District #3 near Beaver Crossing and at District #6 near Milford.
Because teachers were required to be single ladies, her marriage marked the end of Edith’s formal teaching career. She traded her classroom
responsibilities for those of wife and mother. Her passion for teaching and learning was always evident after she left the classroom.
Edith built friendships and relationships with students and families that have lasted over 70 years. She often said she learned as much as she
taught during her teaching career