Several days before high school graduation, I was verbally assured of a teaching position for the following fall. I had not actually been issued a teaching certificate nor did I have a high school diploma in hand. School boards were anxious to fill a position if they knew the current teacher was not returning and those applying were eager to know if they had a job. The board took your word that a valid certificate was forthcoming. Qualifying for this certificate required two years of Professional and Normal Training Classes, two weeks of student teaching in a country school plus passing a written state exam. This was accomplished during my junior and senior years while attending Kenesaw Public School.
Teaching seemed such a natural career having attended eight years as a pupil at District 70, and Adams County School. Rural schools were by no means limited to teaching a learning routine. They also served as a center of community social life. There were various meetings, elections, programs, box suppers and picnics.
A Nebraska Third Grade Elementary School Certificate issued August 16, 1947, certified me to teach all grades in a country school. It was valid for three years without any further training.
The following month, at the age of 17, I began my teaching career at District 54 in Kearney County for a wage of $135 a month. I was offered a renewable contract for the following year which I fully intended to accept. However another contract from the school where I had done my student teaching while in high school was available. The lure of $180 a month prompted me to teach at District 14 in Adams County the following year. There were 17 pupils in all eight grades. Driving from home both years enabled me to save more of my salary for college expenses. The following school term I enrolled at Kearney State Teachers College.
Thus ended my country school days.
The passing of country schools brings many moments of nostalgia to anyone spending a span of their life in a one room school.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and taught the following year in Lexington Public School. Marriage and moving to Minden in 1953 plus the arrival of two sons, postponed a teaching career for a short time. In 1960 I signed a contract with Minden Public School retiring 32 years later. With a total of 35 years teaching, I feel blessed to have enjoyed one of the best careers imaginable.
Being a part of the history of the one‑room school, whether teacher or pupil, or both was a rewarding part of one’s life. Education provided the basis of a cultured, well established foundation for the growth of the educational system we are so proud of today. Education is a must, not a privilege.
Teaching seemed such a natural career having attended eight years as a pupil at District 70, and Adams County School. Rural schools were by no means limited to teaching a learning routine. They also served as a center of community social life. There were various meetings, elections, programs, box suppers and picnics.
A Nebraska Third Grade Elementary School Certificate issued August 16, 1947, certified me to teach all grades in a country school. It was valid for three years without any further training.
The following month, at the age of 17, I began my teaching career at District 54 in Kearney County for a wage of $135 a month. I was offered a renewable contract for the following year which I fully intended to accept. However another contract from the school where I had done my student teaching while in high school was available. The lure of $180 a month prompted me to teach at District 14 in Adams County the following year. There were 17 pupils in all eight grades. Driving from home both years enabled me to save more of my salary for college expenses. The following school term I enrolled at Kearney State Teachers College.
Thus ended my country school days.
The passing of country schools brings many moments of nostalgia to anyone spending a span of their life in a one room school.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and taught the following year in Lexington Public School. Marriage and moving to Minden in 1953 plus the arrival of two sons, postponed a teaching career for a short time. In 1960 I signed a contract with Minden Public School retiring 32 years later. With a total of 35 years teaching, I feel blessed to have enjoyed one of the best careers imaginable.
Being a part of the history of the one‑room school, whether teacher or pupil, or both was a rewarding part of one’s life. Education provided the basis of a cultured, well established foundation for the growth of the educational system we are so proud of today. Education is a must, not a privilege.