In A Nutshell XL

In a Nutshell

A place set aside to answer 201 autobiographical questions
from a mother for her daughter. This may take awhile...join us if you like.

40. One of my more memorable teachers in elementary school was:

Oh, choices, choices. The hard thing about it is that I was in elementary school in the late 40s and early 50s and that is a loooooong time ago. In order for someone to be memorable, I have to remember them, and that would be easier if I hadn't changed schools so often and if I weren't now so old.

Most kids know about teachers in higher grades years before get there and still see teachers from lower grades as they walk through the halls of the school. My experience was that most of the time, I was only in a given school for part of one grade, and so I didn't know any teachers ahead or behind me. I didn't go into fourth grade already knowing the teacher and I didn't see her when I was in fifth grade and wish I still had her (or be glad I didn't).

So, from second grade I remember Sister Legara, who had me trace templates in art because I didn't draw well. And from third grade, Sister Patrick because she was so tall and had such a soft voice and loving manner.

And from sixth grade, Mrs. Rogers, who was renowned for being "too strict" but who kept the class in order, so that the kids who wanted to learn got a chance to do that. And, the first day of class, when I couldn't read what was on the board and she had me come and stand closer until I could, she called my mother and told her I needed glasses because I got almost close enough to the board to touch it. Two weeks later, when I came in with my glasses, she smiled and said that didn't surprise her at all and asked how I liked them -- and I loved them, because I could see! Not only what was on the board, but bricks in buildings and the stars on the flag and leaves on trees and when people smiled at me. I could look at something and not be accused of staring. I didn't have to ask kids around me to read me the homework assignment.