The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage:
Returning to My Education
I graduated, received my BA degree with specialty in music, Mary Washington College, and was certified for teaching all subjects in grades K through 7 in the state of Virginia, in May 1974; it took me seven years. I was 40, and decided to attend the Commencement Ceremony and I wore the cap and gown, and Dave and all the children were there.
Dave gave me a very special present, a service for eight of sterling silver, Reed & Barton, with eight dinner forks, eight teaspoons, eight knives, and eight salad forks. I use it for all special family holiday dinners, and for company. It has to be cleaned and polished periodically, so I use stainless steel ware for everyday meals. But sterling silver is exquisite, and reflects surrounding colors, and I enjoy it immensely when it’s all laid out, shining.
One Year of Teaching Fourth Grade
During the summer of 1974 after graduation I applied for a teaching job in the fall semester and was given a 4th grade class at the new Bradley Elementary School, just a couple miles from our house, on Route 17.
Our principal was not a strong disciplinarian, and neither was I, and there were some little “pills” in my room. “A.” was fond of spit balls. A couple others were experienced trouble-makers, and before long I began to dread going in the room every day.
One of the younger 5th grade teachers was standing in the hall outside her closed door one morning, and I stopped to see if she was ok; she said, “I can’t go back in there.” And she didn’t. She quit then. Immediately.
Teachers had to eat lunch with their class, never had a break, and you had to visit the bathroom at your own risk is how I felt about it.
If I had to choose the most mischievous and the most lovable members of the class, “A.” would get both votes: Most Mischievous and Most Lovable. In the class picture, he’s holding something small in his fingers, and I bet it’s a spit ball! But there was something endearing about him; he was short, fat, jolly, friendly, quick to smile, and though mischievous, he was never sassy, and he enjoyed praise for whatever I could find to praise him about.
To be continued…
One day Elaine was sick and I stood in for her. The class behaved reasonably well. I think they were afraid of me.
The class was monitored on its two-way PA system. Office staffed kidded me later: They heard a lot of “Sit down, Young (Lady Man)”.
LOL smart kids. Joey:pssst billy, he looks mean. Billy: We better not cut up too much.
It’s nice that she remembered how much you loved her, and appreciated her. You were proud of her too.
Thank you for sharing.
Mr. Dave, what was the Reed and Barton sterling pattern?
I don’t remember the pattern, Bill. Sorry.