I enrolled in a one year teacher training program right after high school. In June of 1958 at the age of 18 I had a teacher certificate which of course, allowed me to teach and get paid $2400 per year.
Well, in no time I had a teaching position. There was a great shortage of teachers so jobs were a dime a dozen. I was hired to teach in one room country school with and enrolment of ten students. There I was at 18 years old where I was the teacher and completely independent. I turned 19 in October. Now think about it . I was a teenager not unlike any other teenager. But I was a teacher responsible for ten students and the school itself. I had 3 grade ones, 2 grade twos, a grade three, a grade four, a grade five, a grade seven and a grade nine.
Well, I went to work with great energy as I was going to teach those kids for all I was worth. These kids previously had a series of very ineffective teachers. Their background was a little weak but they worked hard. I really enjoyed teaching the grade ones. You could see how much they progressed in one year.
The year ended quickly. I wanted to find out if I would like teaching. I found out what I wanted to know. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and decided to enter a Bachelor of Education program. the district wanted me to stay another year. The community was very supportive and really encouraged a very insecure 19 year old. The whole community supported me. I had never experienced this before but I recognized what they thought of me.
Now when I was doing pictures this winter. I found photos of my students from Louisville school. I hadn't looked at them for years. I can hardly believe that the grade ones are turning 65 this year!
The ride finished in 1997 when I retired. From 1958 to 1997 I managed to teach for 37.1119 years. I was very fortunate to be involved in a very rewarding occupation.
Some great memories. I think of when I was that age and had no idea about career.
ReplyDeleteBut I did have fun like any teenager.
DeleteSo nice to see the old photographs. You had not so much children in the class to teach. When I was at primary school in the fifties we were with 43 in a classroom!
ReplyDeleteGuess what, yesterday I met a schoolfriend from that class after 36 years.
It's always nice to meet someone from a long time ago.
DeleteWow! I can't imagine being responsible for teaching such a wide range of students. How could you switch gears so quickly from ninth-grade math to first-grade English, for example? Must have been a lot of one-on-one teaching. Still, a one-room school sounds so quaint and amazing. I guess the little kids probably learned from the bigger ones, too. (Probably good AND bad!)
ReplyDeleteYou have the exact picture of how it worked. It wasn't the greatest system but the only one they could have as the population was sparse.
DeleteThose were the days, my friend! I love your reflections!
ReplyDeleteIt was a crash course. I learned far more than the kids.
DeleteThis is a story with a wonderful ending: a young man who found his calling, and students who were learning their lessons from a teacher who cared about them, each one. I'll bet they remember you fondly. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest that I was a teenager and I didn't miss any of the teenage fun.
DeleteThat is young teaching Red really something. To have been responsible for those students. You must of been very mature for to be hired. You look so young. May I say handsome as well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your pictures and your story. Nice to look back of long ago.
Plus share with us all.
At the time there wee many young people teaching as teachers were in short supply. Now I'm still a handsome dude!!!
DeleteIt sounds like you enjoyed the job!
ReplyDeleteLike everything else sometimes the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.
DeleteThe old photos Red, such treasures. Impressive to have such responsibility at such a tender age, and then go on with a very rewarding career for so long. I wish I had you as a teacher :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen these photos for a while . It does bring back old memories.
DeleteI was six years old when these pictures were taken, probably the age of some of your students.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that's how old the grade ones were. Now you are 64!!!
DeleteBoth you and the students learned a lot from one another, I am sure. Thanks for sharing this story about your earliest teaching career and the photos as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I learned more than the kids. the learning curve was steep.
DeleteWhat wonderful memories and wonderful photos to accompany them. You found your calling from such a young age!
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful career, in many ways. Not without its trials and tribulations but also very rewarding. I'm sure you touched many lives.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, Those kids look so happy! And you too! The older I get, the more I like my decision to go into teaching. Thanks for this story!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve a medal for that long and distinguished service Red. As you know, I also started teaching at the age of eighteen and I enjoyed a lot of my teaching career but there were ups and downs and sometimes I felt I might have been better doing something else but like you I made it to a well-earned retirement.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the old photos and all the kids look so happy! I could have been in your first grade class...I am that right age! You have every right be be proud of all your teaching years! :)
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