Another hero remembered
I feel like I had some of the best school teachers there have ever been. The column this week is about one who, in my opinion, was the best school teacher I ever had or have known in raising my children and grandchildren.
I had this person not only for a teacher, but also for a boss, not once, but twice. Let me say in using the word boss, he was someone who did not tarnish the meaning of the word "boss".
I have always believed if all school systems were made up of this person, there would not be any Columbines or any other problems in schools, for the teachers or the students. This teacher never made a difference in the students regardless if you were, boy or girl, rich or poor. Each one was his favorite, and I heard him say that many times.
I first had him as a teacher when I was in the seventh grade at Central Elementary. That was way back when Central Elementary was where Central Gardens is now. What a turn of events.
That building started out for young people and now houses older people.
I don't believe this teacher even knew how to get mad. I watched him spank a couple boys in my class, and he could hardly do it for laughing. Not that he was having fun spanking them, almost like he was surprised at himself for doing it. This spanking was about what a grandparent would give a grandchild. You grandparents know what I'm talking about.
I remember one day one of my dear friends, Arlene Triplett, who is now Arlene Hessling, had walked to Weber's Ben Franklin and bought a bag of peanuts. This teacher jokingly bribed us for our peanuts!
We gave them to him and he ate them! That was my favorite school year. I always looked forward to his class for he made you want to learn and do your best.
His eyes always twinkled and he had the kindest smile I think I have ever seen. He kept that twinkle and smile until he went to be with Jesus. I just know he is smiling all over Heaven and making people feel special.
Later when I was a senior and took a class called COE, that was where you went to school half a day and worked the other half. I worked as secretary at Central and he was the principal. Working with him was as nice as being in his class. Again, I watched him loving those children and being so kind to them, to me and all others.
He became my boss again after I was out of school and married with a child. This time he was superintendant at the old high school, which by that time had become the junior high.
Again, I watch him in motion as the kindest person in charge of young people I have ever known. He was always such an inspiration to me. I worked with him and the school on several occasions with some of the less fortunate children in junior high. I won't go into detail, but I was involved in helping some of these children. He was always encouraging me to keep up, in his words, the good work. He, like many others back then called me Kathy. Many times he would say to me, "Kathy, these children are always going to remember what you have done for them. You just keep doing what you are doing." I can still hear him say those words and see the encouraging look on his face as he was saying them.
I have to tell this one story. A young boy in the seventh grade had been accused of stealing a bike.
The principal took this boy to the office and was going to spank him, but the boy would not take it. He kept saying he was not going to take a spanking for something he did not do. The principal was very upset and sent me to get the superintendent. When he came in he took the boy to his office. Again, I can still see him and hear him as he said, "Son, I don't believe you took that bike, but go ahead and take this spanking this time. I will see you never have to take another." The boy took it. This young boy learned that day to love and respect this teacher-principal-superintendent, and my boss, as much as I did. It was proven that this child did not steal that bike.
I wish I could tell more stories about this wonderful person, but again, space won't permit. But I will say that we could all learn wonderful lessons from the life of my teacher, my boss, my beloved friend and one of my life's heros - Carl Davis.
Don't forget to e-mail me at kdover28@gmail.com and remember, you could be my next hero or heroine.
See ya next time in the Korner.
Comments
- -- Posted by kd5475 on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 9:31 AM
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