Gwendolyn Brown Freeman (1906-1990) grew up on a farm in Given, Iowa in Mahaska County. She was one of five children. Her older brother, Tom, set an example for her by getting an education, which Gwen followed and then acted as a role model for her three younger sisters. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School at the age of 19. During high school, Gwennie, as she was known to friends, participated in the Normal Training program which prepared her as a teacher. Upon graduation she taught at Star Rural School located on a farm a few miles from Given. From 1926 – 1929 she taught first through eighth grade in this one room schoolhouse.
It was over a two miles walk from her home to the schoolhouse, quite challenging in the winter when the snow was knee-high deep. Sometimes she was fortunate to go by horse and buggy, a luxury in those days.
Once at school, the real work began, she was charged with starting a fire to warm up the schoolhouse, preparing her lesson plans and greeting the students. Once all eight students arrived she’d call small groups to the front of the classroom for their lessons, others sat at their desks doing what we might now call “busy work.” Classroom management, was not a problem for Gwen, as she said, “I am the teacher and what I say, goes – no questions asked.” She remembers the children particularly liked playing “Ring around the Rosie” and “Tag” during recess.
Gwen described teaching as some of the best days of her life, creating wonderful lifetime memories. Like many women of that era, she resigned her teaching post when she married her husband Harold Freeman. They became proud parents to four children and ten grandchildren. She always cherished and valued education, so we are sure that she would love this honor and be happy that she is supporting future teachers through the One Room One Teacher program.
It was over a two miles walk from her home to the schoolhouse, quite challenging in the winter when the snow was knee-high deep. Sometimes she was fortunate to go by horse and buggy, a luxury in those days.
Once at school, the real work began, she was charged with starting a fire to warm up the schoolhouse, preparing her lesson plans and greeting the students. Once all eight students arrived she’d call small groups to the front of the classroom for their lessons, others sat at their desks doing what we might now call “busy work.” Classroom management, was not a problem for Gwen, as she said, “I am the teacher and what I say, goes – no questions asked.” She remembers the children particularly liked playing “Ring around the Rosie” and “Tag” during recess.
Gwen described teaching as some of the best days of her life, creating wonderful lifetime memories. Like many women of that era, she resigned her teaching post when she married her husband Harold Freeman. They became proud parents to four children and ten grandchildren. She always cherished and valued education, so we are sure that she would love this honor and be happy that she is supporting future teachers through the One Room One Teacher program.