Graduating from David City High School in 1961, I wanted to be an English teacher; however, after several semesters of college, I thought I might like teaching younger students. With both my mom and sister teaching in one-room schoolhouses, I decided I would check out possibilities. I met with the Wayne County School Superintendent to learn which rural schools would be hiring for the fall of 1964.
She gave me the names of two Board Presidents to contact. Following interviews with both Boards of Education, I was offered a job in District 57 for $4000…paid over nine months.
I began the year with 18 students in grades one-six. In January, five little kindergarten students began our all-day program. That certainly added to the planning, instructing and managing of my classroom, my school!
Each morning when I arrived, I pumped water and carried it to a water cooler in the coatroom. After that, I checked the stove, if the weather warranted it, posted the schedule for the day on the chalkboard and placed seatwork on each student’s desk. Shortly after, students began to arrive by car, truck, bicycle or foot. They placed their outerwear across from the water cooler and then entered the second door to the classroom taking their seat and doing whatever seatwork I had placed on their desks.
At 9:00 I rang the bell and we all gathered on the steps to salute the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance…again weather permitting. Classes were carefully planned with no time to waste. I had several very bright students in fourth and sixth grade who helped out…doing flashcards, helping with math problems, reading with the younger students. It was truly a team effort!
In addition to the academics, rural schools were expected to have Christmas Programs, end-of-year picnics, field trips and submit items to the County Fair. The best news is…we did it all!
At least twice yearly, the County Superintendent would visit. One time I was busily preparing the student work for the Wayne County Fair. Another time we chatted a bit and I, in all my youth, mentioned that some of the books in the bookcase weren’t really necessary. She was quick to let me know those were the State Laws and Regulations for Education and I need to be reading them. Enough said!
Highlights of that first year include my oldest student breaking his ankle while sledding at recess. Not having access to a phone, we iced the leg until mom picked him up. Also, had a first grader get sick. She just opened her desk lid and took care of it. I had two older boys carry the desk outside until Mom could clean it out. One day, a parent came walking in to let me know I had a flat tire and if I would give him my keys, he would get it changed for me. One great community!
My second year I got a $900.00 raise so I was making $4900…quite an increase. The Board also put in a new floor which was much easier for me to keep clean, a new stove which only needed a button pushed in AM and PM. AND the best thing…the school had a telephone! That was exciting!
The highlight of year two was snow, snow and more snow. My husband would drop me off at the Board President’s home and I would walk with five students about ¾ of a mile there and back. We did that for a number of days. I really don’t recall how many. At the end of my second year, I needed to finish student teaching in order to graduate. My sister finished out the year for me. We all celebrated at the annual year-end picnic.
Graduating from Wayne State College in 1966, I attained my four-year degree in five years while testing out my teaching skills in that one-room school house…District 57 Wayne County Nebraska. The following fall we moved to Lincoln so my husband could pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry. I taught in the Lincoln Public Schools and Clare McPhee Laboratory School while completing my Masters in Education (68’), Specialist in Administration (72’) and Doctorate in Education (74’).
My classroom experience spanned 15 years; I served as an Elementary Principal for 10 years; Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent for 15 years prior to retiring in 2009 from East Allen County Schools, New Haven, IN…a district of 10,000 students, 5 high schools, and 11 elementary schools.
In addition to teaching school and going to school, my husband and I raised three children: Jill, Brent and Curt…all college graduates and two MBAs but no teachers.
Several of the schools I served, including District 57, no longer stand but know that the memories are still very much alive with me. I so loved all of my experiences and thank Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for providing a class education!
She gave me the names of two Board Presidents to contact. Following interviews with both Boards of Education, I was offered a job in District 57 for $4000…paid over nine months.
I began the year with 18 students in grades one-six. In January, five little kindergarten students began our all-day program. That certainly added to the planning, instructing and managing of my classroom, my school!
Each morning when I arrived, I pumped water and carried it to a water cooler in the coatroom. After that, I checked the stove, if the weather warranted it, posted the schedule for the day on the chalkboard and placed seatwork on each student’s desk. Shortly after, students began to arrive by car, truck, bicycle or foot. They placed their outerwear across from the water cooler and then entered the second door to the classroom taking their seat and doing whatever seatwork I had placed on their desks.
At 9:00 I rang the bell and we all gathered on the steps to salute the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance…again weather permitting. Classes were carefully planned with no time to waste. I had several very bright students in fourth and sixth grade who helped out…doing flashcards, helping with math problems, reading with the younger students. It was truly a team effort!
In addition to the academics, rural schools were expected to have Christmas Programs, end-of-year picnics, field trips and submit items to the County Fair. The best news is…we did it all!
At least twice yearly, the County Superintendent would visit. One time I was busily preparing the student work for the Wayne County Fair. Another time we chatted a bit and I, in all my youth, mentioned that some of the books in the bookcase weren’t really necessary. She was quick to let me know those were the State Laws and Regulations for Education and I need to be reading them. Enough said!
Highlights of that first year include my oldest student breaking his ankle while sledding at recess. Not having access to a phone, we iced the leg until mom picked him up. Also, had a first grader get sick. She just opened her desk lid and took care of it. I had two older boys carry the desk outside until Mom could clean it out. One day, a parent came walking in to let me know I had a flat tire and if I would give him my keys, he would get it changed for me. One great community!
My second year I got a $900.00 raise so I was making $4900…quite an increase. The Board also put in a new floor which was much easier for me to keep clean, a new stove which only needed a button pushed in AM and PM. AND the best thing…the school had a telephone! That was exciting!
The highlight of year two was snow, snow and more snow. My husband would drop me off at the Board President’s home and I would walk with five students about ¾ of a mile there and back. We did that for a number of days. I really don’t recall how many. At the end of my second year, I needed to finish student teaching in order to graduate. My sister finished out the year for me. We all celebrated at the annual year-end picnic.
Graduating from Wayne State College in 1966, I attained my four-year degree in five years while testing out my teaching skills in that one-room school house…District 57 Wayne County Nebraska. The following fall we moved to Lincoln so my husband could pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry. I taught in the Lincoln Public Schools and Clare McPhee Laboratory School while completing my Masters in Education (68’), Specialist in Administration (72’) and Doctorate in Education (74’).
My classroom experience spanned 15 years; I served as an Elementary Principal for 10 years; Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent for 15 years prior to retiring in 2009 from East Allen County Schools, New Haven, IN…a district of 10,000 students, 5 high schools, and 11 elementary schools.
In addition to teaching school and going to school, my husband and I raised three children: Jill, Brent and Curt…all college graduates and two MBAs but no teachers.
Several of the schools I served, including District 57, no longer stand but know that the memories are still very much alive with me. I so loved all of my experiences and thank Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for providing a class education!