It didn't take long for us to get on the family history topic. Some how or other I let it out that I had a biography in the back of my head. Now he was on a roll and the next thing you know he had got me enthusiastic about my biography.
Now much of what's on this blog could be easily used in a biography. Previously I've written about my Arctic experience, in particular, getting there. I did not go into the actual teaching experience.
Now I'm the first to admit that I'm a random chaotic sort of soul. I know what I want to tell in the first few chapters , but here I am writing about things the happened at the start of my professional career. I'm also an optimist to a fault so some how or other later on, I should be able to put all the bits and pieces together.
Sound like a plan?
So my first year teaching?
I had finished my one year teacher training. Had I applied for a job? No.
Now many people in my class had applied for jobs and been hired long before we finished the course. I had to wait until I got my marks and new for sure that I had passed the course. Now it was getting late and about three weeks before school started.
Fortunately jobs were a dime a dozen so I was hired to teach in a one room country school. Many things were set up. the community just said I would be boarding at Enn's because they needed the money from boarding the teacher
The school was named Louisville and was 11 miles from one small village and nine mils from another village. There was post office and country store about three miles away.
The school was old and maintenance and upkeep had been lacking for years.
I got to the school a few days before school opening and rooted around the place to find things. I found text books and school supplies. I stored these in convenient locations.
On school opening day ten little beaners showed up. Yes, ten students. I had three gr. ones, two grade twos and one each in gr three, four, five, seven and nine.
Since I had attended such a school I knew how things worked. I made up a time table so that I could conveniently move from grade to grade.These kids had to do most of heir work independently and they were good at it.
Now I had no music ability at all so these poor kids didn't get any music.
So I kept the fire going so we kept warm and we all worked together.
Now these kids taught me a great deal. The community was very supportive and gave me much encouragement. . I felt good about that year and so decided that I would continue in education. I resigned after that one year so that I could go to university.
Could you have continued without going to university? How did uni change your career? Did you always teach primary school?
ReplyDeleteYou should get your biography down, history is not often enough told from the experience of the average person
You are putting some good ideas in my head. Thanks for your interest.
DeleteWhat an interesting way to start your teaching career. My first class was in a large suburban elementary serving a housing project. I had 30 mostly needy 4th graders. It was very hard work.
ReplyDeleteI have written my memoir, about 150 pages worth. I think I will update it from year to year.
This school was a good place for a rookie to start. I'll bet you found it tough to limit yourself to 150 pages.
DeleteI'm glad you are now fired up about writing your biography! Best of luck with it.
ReplyDeleteIt's been in my head for a long time.
DeleteThank you for the beginning of teaching post. Looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Thanks. It was a great learning experience.
DeleteThanks to your son in law who made you to share such a WONDERFUL post Red!!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great achievement that you successfully managed to teach in such remote, old school with few pupils. One room school?
Sounds "calm" lol
I am glad that after this experience you went for higher studies.
I wish you a happy and healthy new year
Hey, I was only 19 .
DeleteI'm so glad you've begun, you random, chaotic man!
ReplyDeleteDid you ever have to work with one of these chaotic people?
DeleteYou have a great autobiographical tale to tell Red. In some ways it will by the iconic story of inland Canada. You could publish it for free as an e-book via Amazon and friends and family could access it from there. Best wishes for this great project. Near the end I hope there will be space to boast about becoming Laughing Horse Blogger of the Year for 2017! What a fine ambassador for Canada you are sir!
ReplyDeleteThere will have to be a section on blogging and of course, the many awards I won.
DeleteYou have some very interesting stories to tell! I think it's great that some of them are right here on your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's a question I ask myself, "Will people be interested in this?" You've given me the answer many times. You have to tell things in a very well organized fashion.
DeleteI'm very glad you are writing about your life, especially the teaching part. I find it interesting partly because my mother taught in one-room schools (beginning about 1948) after one year at "Normal College" which is what the training school here was called. She has often talked about how the older students helped the younger ones and how it was not just necessary for the teacher that it be done that way but also that it was good for the students. They learned how to convey what they knew, it reinforced their understanding of the subject, and it led to better relationships among students. Your photos are very similar to ones that she has of her students. Who took the pictures where you and all the students are IN the photo?
ReplyDeleteIt was called teacher's college by the time I went through in 1957. You know, I think one of the parents took these photos.
DeleteWhat an interesting story. Sounds like you found your calling after that first year teaching at the small school. I hope that you will share more of your stories with us.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day, Red and thanks again for sharing your story.
That one year could fill part of a book.
DeleteGood for you for beginning to write down your history. Your family will surely appreciate your efforts (as will your blog readers!)
ReplyDeleteSometimes you look back and it's hard to realize that this actually happened.
DeleteI had heard some of this before in your earlier posts, Red. What a great idea to write a family history! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's my random chaotic organization!
DeleteI couldn't have done it- I have no patience with children!
ReplyDeleteDo you recall the childrens names? How many families were you dealing with were some students brothers and sisters? How much did you get paid? What kind of games did the children play. How long was the school year, did you take off time for Christmas vacation? Did you have school programs? What did the children eat in their lunch boxes, what did you eat? Did you warm food on the stove in the winter? :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly do remember their names. There were six families. I got $2600.00 and $150.. for doing the janitor work. With 10 , organized games were limited. We had a 200 day year with seven days out for inservices. We had about two weeks off at Christmas and one at Easter. I can't even remember what i ate but it was likely a sandwich and cake or cookie. Yes, I know you've done much of this and you're giving me suggestions as to what to do. Thanks. You're skillful.
DeleteHow exciting that you've going to tackle a biography. Good lucj with it. I know it will be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to organize my time well.
DeleteI love the pictures of the kids. What was the community like? Was it farming country? I see that one boy has patches on his pants. You never see kids with patches anymore, do you?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think a biography is an excellent idea. As you said, you've already got the foundation of one in your blog!
I think it's a great idea, and I also think you will enjoy doing it, a lot. A one-room school with such a span of ages must have been challenging for a first year teacher, even though you say you enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete