This morning, driving in for some reasons I thought about the educators who were in my life, I remember Ms. Vereen, my first grade teacher, she was a family cousin as was tough as nails, I remember her spanking me because I read the whole book instead of the two pages she told us to read…guess I was showing off I had been reading since four…well it taught me not to show off because she pulled me to the front of the classroom, pulled up my literal dress and popped me on my butt…today she would end up in prison…how times have changed, I was just glad mama had put on my ruffled panties…
In second grade, Mrs. Jones was my teacher, she also had a blood tie to my family and she was the one who taught me elocution and placed me in every play that came along from 1st through 5th grades…she also gave me a scholarship from her sorority when I graduated from high school and I hadn’t seen her in years…so grateful to her…
Third grade, my teacher was Mrs. Andrews, she was my pastor’s wife and what I remember most was her wanting to past me from 3rd to 4th grade immediately and my mama not allowing it, didn’t want me rushed, I am still not over that one…so as a bonus she allowed me to tutor 1st and 2nd graders…
Fourth grade found me in Ms. Holt’s class, she was only about 23 at the time as so pretty, dark brown skin, shoulder length hair and mini-skirts and she allowed us to listen to soul music in her class…she also taught me a hard lesson, she was having a spelling bee and giving $10 to the winner, she would not allow me to participate…me or Lester, w e had to go to the library…ummph, but a good thing came from that, I learned that we have to work hard for stuff and not always take the easy route, because me and Lester could spell any words…
By sixth grade I finally had male teachers, two in fact. Mr. Isaacson was a young white man fresh out of a Wisconsin college and was out of his element in an inner city school. But, he would always tell me I was going far…called me, Angelia Vernon, girl genius…haa haa haa…
And there was Mr. Allen, he was the flyest teacher ever, wore the coolest glasses and suits…he had come with me from my old school…and he didn’t play, for a brief period I tried to fit into a different environment by hiking up my skirts and acting all ‘fast’, he cold stopped me in my tracks by telling me how I would end up and threatening to tell my mama…Scared straight….
After that I was pretty much ready for anything because I had been nurtured and educated by educators who cared about me, wanted better for me than I knew to want for myself and were willing to give it to me ‘straight-no-chaser…’
Man, am I grateful for them…and I Thank God for them and for giving me enough sense to pay attention…
Angelia,
www.angeliamenchan.com
8 comments:
I can vaguely remember my teachers in elementary school.
There are 3 folks who still stand out to me. My Algebra 2 remedial teacher. I flunked it and had to take her. Everyone in her class had flunked. My grandparents, who raised, thought I wasn't working or concentrating. I told them I just did not get it. Mrs. Woodard said to us she knew why we flunked and would show us how to do Algebra. I got either an A or B. Since her class, I loved Algebra. She showed me that you have to approach things differently. My grandparents still didn't get that my previous teacher was not a good teacher.
The other two folks were not my teachers, however, they did teach me. Mr. Stephens (my guidance counselor) and Mrs. Harris (his secretary). I worked for them for about 3 years as a counselor's aide. They were my surrogate parents. They got me and what I was going through. They did not make me feel bad like my grandparents. Mr. S and Mrs. H they listened and gave wonderful advice. I would have not gone to college or got through the very hard times in high school and at home.
Shai,
I have almost total recall of most things...I recall in full detail most significant things that happened in my life and there were many, these were just the teachers who impacted my life, there were so many others, my mom, grandma; godmother, aunts...so many...
angelia
I can remember my 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Skinner, she was nice as pie with very long red hair and freckles. I remember her husband came to the school once and he scared me. I was afraid for her, something about him didn't sit well with me.
I remember Mr. Doyle from 7th & 8th grade English. He was the first person to look at my poetry and encouraged me to go further with it.
Mr. Elliott was my high school English teacher and he was awesome as well.
Seems like I remember more about the english teachers than anyone else. However, I had to sister who were math teachers Ms. April Bailey and her younger sister Ms. Audrey Bailey. April didn't play that at all she was very stern. Even we had Audrey if the class didn't listen to her, she came and set us right. Learned a lot from them.
I don't really remember any elementary school teachers that had an effect on me, but there were several in middle school and high school.
Every time I see that bumper sticker, "If you can read this, thank a teacher," I smile.
I remember quite a few teachers.. the one that sticks out the most was Mrs. Fenderson, 6th grade .. tough as nail and as old as the earth. She always said "do it until it hurts ya".. glad I did.
Great post Angelia :-)
Seems we all had memorable teachers...
angelia
I had some memorable teachers also. Mr. Novak, my 8th grade history teacher who looked like Dr. Kildare who expected me and my best friend to do better on the State exam. My freshman hippie teacher who assigned the great masterpieces of literature. I actually wrote a tribute to Mrs. Jackson in Letters To My Teacher: Tributes to the People Who Have Made a Difference. I actually didn't appreciate her then but looked back and realized how this southern born black woman who got an education despite Jim Crow,not unlike my mother, had words of wisdom.
Good reading your poost
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