As I entered seventh grade we had again had a new teacher. She had been a teacher for years at a special needs school and wanted to have the experience of being a teacher at a regular school. The only problem was she wasn't qualified to teach English/grammar.
Day after day horse and buggies would arrive at our house. We'd look out the window and watch as members of the school board would make their way inside and then Mom and Daddy would spend hours visiting with them while we children tried to be quiet in another room. We wondered what they wanted but since we didn't get into trouble after they left we were kept wondering. We knew what ever it was must be important, because the visits kept happening, only now it included the ministers and eventually the bishop.
Finally one evening after we had our evening devotions Daddy announced that after a lot of thought and consideration they decided to tell the school board that Mom would teach the English/grammar classes several afternoons each week for the next school term.
John, David, and I sat there speechless. Mom wasn't supposed to be our school teacher. She was supposed to be at home sewing, baking, taking care of customers in our store, and everything else that mothers do, but certainly not be a school teacher. I jumped up and ran upstairs to my room, flopped on my bed and cried. I had no doubts that Mom would be a great teacher. I really loved her and I wanted to keep her for myself, not share her with a lot of other children.
Daddy came upstairs to see what was troubling me, but I couldn't seem to find a way to tell him. It sounded too silly to put into words. He sat on the side of my bed for a while and talked to me assuring me that we would all work together. Mom would need a lot more help around the house since she had to make lessons for school, and that the afternoons that she came to teach would soon be my favorite times at school.
Daddy was right. The afternoons when English/grammar classes were taught became the highlights of the school weeks. Everyone loved having Mom as teacher and some how everything was fine even if a lot of other children learned to love her too.
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My first year back in public school, my mum filled in for the art teacher. Aargh! Tenth grade is horrible enough, but add going from six years in an all-girl boarding school to a co-ed public school AND having your mum as a teacher was awful. To make life even more interesting, she rode the school bus with us.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I shouldn't have laughed, but the vision that popped in my head when I read that your mother rode the school bus with you gave me a chuckle.
DeleteIt wasn't funny there, but looking back on it, it is. The bus drive didn't mind; that was the best behaved route in the school district!
DeleteIsn't it nice how time tends to put a more humorous spin on things.
DeleteI'm glad things worked out well having your Mother as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteMe too. :)
Delete:) My heart sank with yours when you found out you'd have to share her with the other students! I'm glad it all worked out.
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised how well I liked having her come in to teach.
DeleteI really enjoy your blog. You are a good writer. Have you ever explained why you left the Amish church? Best wishes, Vivian Furbay
ReplyDeleteI had, but those posts have disappeared, I am currently working my way through trying to repost everything
DeleteI'm sure that was an adjustment to get used to having your mom as a teacher, but it sounds like it all worked out for the best.
ReplyDelete