PERSON: TEACHER

Aretha Franklin —R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Being raised in a small Southern town there was an unwritten code of conduct that within reason almost hung under the Ten Commandments in the church: RESPECT. In this order, family, pastors/law enforcement, teacher, and the elderly. As a young boy I was quick to learn the terms ” yes ma’am and yes sir”.

Having taught seven years in the North Carolina Public School System, I felt teaching still made the “C” list…….WRONG. In my previous blog I eluded to Abe Lincoln’s quote, ” some of the people some of the time”, etc. A truer statement could not be said about “my” teaching experiences. Emphasis on “my”. For the record, in those seven years my life crossed paths with some of the most wonderful, unique educators and students I still remember to this day.

Why teaching you say ???? In my early twenties as an educator I envisioned being an Aristotle, Vince Lombardi, and John F. Kennedy all wrapped up into one personality. Now that you have stopped laughing, let me continue. All of you ( I hope) are familiar with the WWJD ( if not— What Would Jesus Do) bracelets. That was somewhat my approach teaching. One day your ego is so inflated because you think I have broken their (students) shell. The next day you think, ” is this the same class from yesterday”? Totally deflated with that “deer in the headlights” stare. During the mid-sixties ( BBG–Before Bill Gates)you had three levels of students: those who wanted to learn, those who might learn, and those who could care less about learning. WHAT MUST I DO, WHAT MUST I DO?? With all that diversity in a class room you do what any red bloodied teacher would do, have a mock trial.

No Mildred do not turn down the T.V. , the boy said mock trial. Mildred heard correctly. We had a judge, jury, attorneys, witnesses, a crime, and reporters with updates every day. I in my infinite wisdom appointed the judge. Willard was the toughest, take no crap from anyone personality in the class. After a one-on-one with Willard letting him know the duties of the judge, it resonated with him like a winning field goal in the closing seconds of the super bowl. For once in his hard upbringing life, he did not need to fight for respect. In a mock up trial in a high school in the mid-sixties with a gavel in hand Willard was given respect. My tough guy played the role of judge that still makes me tear up a little. For a short period of time Willard was Aristotle, Lombardi, and JFK. Me too.

Side note: There has never been a teacher that did not have memorable moments in the class room. Mine came during a class on North Carolina history. We were studying a colonial governor by the name of Gabriel Johnston. I had a student that was close to a failing grade, so being the softy I am we made a deal. Wendell was to do a paper on Gabriel Johnston for extra credit. Two days later Wendell was prepared to give his report. The first sentence out of his mouth was, ” Gabriel was an archangel”. Yep, you got it. Wendell overlooked the last name of the governor. In my most militaristic voice I announced Wendell is giving us a report on Gabriel the archangel. Without a hitch Wendell proceeded to read his paper on Gabriel. At the end of the report with quizzical looks all around, we said amen and thanked Wendell for the spiritual uplifting. He did get his extra credit and passed the class with a resounding 70 or D or what ever grade that would relate to in today’s world of education.