Page 152 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

F R O M T H E O U T H O U S E T O T H E L I T T L E R E D S C H O O L H O U S E : | 152

My Teaching Career

After graduating from Talladega College in 1965, I began applying for jobs. Since my brother and his wife lived in Fort Pierce, Florida,

I applied to the School Board of Education in that city. My sister-in-law’s influence opened a door for me to be employed by her
elementary school principal. The timing was ideal since he, Mr. James A. McNeil, was searching for a third and fourth grade teacher.

I would grade my first year of teaching as fair, in my estimation. I was learning the ropes. I focused on developing sound teaching

strategies, getting well acquainted with my students and their families, making sure I had a good rapport with the entire staff
(custodians, secretaries, administrators, teachers, and the principal). Although I found the field of education that I was in challenging,

I enjoyed great satisfaction and success during my 30 years of teaching.

Pray Much!

I believe my rewarding tenure in the education system was due to what I learned during my first year of teaching. These were major
concepts that I adhered to throughout my thirty-year career:

1. Stay out of the teacher’s lounge. This little retreat usually ends up being a gossip den and can become detrimental to you

and others. (My mother gave me this tip).

2. Never teach sitting down. Make yourself available to all students by walking around the class, checking out each student’s

work, and making sure they comprehend the lessons being taught. My principal believed that a teacher’s job was not to sit
at the desk all the time. (This discipline, in fact, influenced our teacher evaluations).