Mom

 In cleaning out a closet at Dad's place in independent living, we found a box that contained a photo album.  The album was create by my Aunt Gwen, mom's sister, on the event of her stepping down from teaching first grade GA's.  The pictures below show some of the items that were in the album....but let's go back a few years...maybe a lot of years.

My mom received her Bachelor's Degree in education from LSU, and then went on to get her Master's in Education as well.  She had always wanted to be a doctor, but in the late 40's early 50's, women just did not study medicine.  Her father encouraged her to study to become a teacher; perhaps it was the fact that he was the Superintendent of a Parish system in Louisiana at the time.  (Baton Rouge).

Anyway, my mom finished her education and started her teaching career.  Always first grade. She was a great first grade teacher.  From our youngest days, my sisters and I would help her get her room ready each fall.  Everything was created (from scratch) each year.  It may be similar - but always fresh and new each year.  Everything had a purpose - learning colors, numbers and the alphabet.  Nothing was just for fluff, but her room was inviting.  At Woodview, her cabinets didn't have doors, so she whipped up curtains to brighten up the room.  It was a magical place for her students.  My father built some balance beans for her class as well.  As her students walked in each day - she had them work through an obstacle course....good way to start the day - but it also kept the students coming in orderly!  Only one student could cross the bean, or balance on the board at a time.  Slow and steady start to the day!  Just after the bell, Mom had a routine.  The students said the pledges and the prayer (yes...a prayer in public school), then Mom had them recite the alphabet giving the letter sounds to each letter.  After the alphabet, the numberline, count to 100 by ones, 2's, 5's, and 10's.  EVERY DAY!  Her first graders knew their stuff.  Then she shared a proverb that she had on the board and explained it to her class.  AMAZING.  Not only did my mom teach the school stuff, she also instilled how to live a moral life as well.  Although her classroom often looked like a tornado...learning was going on all the time.  With my mom's interest in Science, the kids benefitted from her knowledge.  She knew every tree, flower, star, etc and could usually give the legend that went along with it.  Mom spent 35+ years teaching first grade, with most of them being in Spring Branch in Houston.  She taught at Holibrook, Ridgecrest and ended her career at Woodview.  Most of her years were at Woodview in room 20.  

But, my Mom didn't just teach first grade at school - she also taught first grade Sunday School at Church, first grade GA's and first grade VBS!  She knew children and their curiosity at ages 5-7.  She specialized in making those students soar whether a school or at church. 

The photos below are from her GA's at Tallowood the year she stepped down from teaching.  She would have been over 70 when she stepped down.  Some of these notes are from girls that I taught at Rummel Creek and now they are working at Wall Street in New York City, or have multiple children of their own.  Several of the girls have become teachers or other jobs in the education sector.  As I looked at the notes, I realized how many mentioned the song my mom taught them.  Another thing my mom did - she used music to teach a lot of skills both at church and at school.  She had a song for everything!  It's funny now to think - as my daughter Mallory also has a song for everything she does.  When my mother began her teaching, music was not taught outside the classroom, but rather the classroom teacher shared whatever music knowledge they had - my mom played the piano and made sure that her students enjoyed music. I can see the well worn Peter and the Wolf record from her classroom.

I was so fortunate to have a Mom who modeled a life well lived.

During her time working with first grade GA's at Tallowood, my mom served with Ruth Osborne, Cindy Buchanan, and Charlene Carter - all women who had a great influence over the young ladies they poured their hearts about missions into.  I am very grateful for the legacy my mom left me.  Such big shoes to fill.