ABC, 123 - WHAT ABOUT ME?

Introduction

So that you will know this book is written by one who has “been there”, allow me to introduce myself and give you a brief version of my teaching career. 

I am a product of the Dallas Independent School District, having attended Stephen J. Hay Elementary, Lisbon Elementary and South Oak Cliff High School.  I missed out on the whole junior high/middle school process because of rapid new growth and over–crowding in the area.  My classmates from Lisbon and myself were placed in the high school (SOC) in the eighth grade.  Our homeroom advisory was in the auditorium – talk about non-entities.  Early on I realized there was not a lot of money for college so I determined to go and graduate in three years instead of four.  Having been raised in a happy family setting where love, nurturing and caring were definite priorities, I was not too concerned about the need to squeeze four years of college into three.  Admittedly, carrying eighteen and twenty – one hours was not an easy task but I did it and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas in Denton.  I can still remember the feelings of youthful optimism and empowerment – I was going to educate the world!  No child under my tutelage would ever fail!

I naively began as a first grade teacher.  Having graduated from college at age twenty I was young and green.  My twenty-first birthday (September 1) was followed a few days later by entrance into Daniel Webster Elementary.  Not only was I new, young and inexperienced but my two teammates were much – older teachers, in their late forties or early fifties, definitely experienced in teaching and established in the neighborhood community.  While they were kind and helpful, I was a little puzzled by their identically decorated classrooms and by their desire to always be on the same page of the same books each day.  Too much of an independent spirit to buy into this scenario, I did my own thing and my students did fine.

During my third year of teaching, I received a Masters degree from UNT that I had earned during two summers and weekend/evening classes.

Because of changes in enrollment, the births of my two sons or simply my desire to move to a school closer to my home, I went on to teach  at James Hogg Elementary, J. W. Ray Elementary, L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary, Herbert Marcus Elementary, Tom C. Gooch Elementary, and finally John F. Kennedy Learning Center.

When my teaching career in the Dallas schools ended in May, 2003, I had taught thirty–six years under sixteen different principals.  I taught Title 1 reading and math but the bulk of my career was as a first grade teacher and full–day kindergarten teacher.

If you teach upper elementary, middle school, or high school, please do not feel there is nothing for you in this book.  I have talked with many teachers in those areas and I believe my book has helpful hints and ideas for all teachers.