Page 11 - eMuse Vol.9 No.04_Classical
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In Praise of the One Teacher School though they often were single and young;
sent to “toughen them up” after college
to locations remote and far-flung.
© Shelley Hansen But discouragement wasn’t an option
Winner, Written Bush Poetry Competition - 2020 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, WA. as a great range of subjects they taught;
and with equal aplomb they expounded
All my learning was done in the city mathematics and sewing and sport –
with a large school’s competitive “push”, and the practical skills they imparted
and when I was a kid we felt sorry built foundations for many careers;
for the children who lived in the bush. as they nurtured both body and spirit –
We believed they were quite isolated, soothing gravel-rashed knees, drying tears.
quite uncivilised too – as a rule;
and we thought of the things they were missing So it was that my husband convinced me
being taught at a One Teacher School. that I really had nothing to fear
that his schooling had somehow been lacking –
As the seasons passed by I grew older the reverse was true – it was quite clear.
and the man that I love came along . But I still thought perhaps he’d missed out on
When we shared recollections of school days opportunities offered to me,
he informed me my thinking was wrong. till the day we returned to his schoolhouse
Then he spoke of the school he’d attended for the seventy-fifth Jubilee.
with a teaching staff numbering “one”;
and I gained quite a different viewpoint Then I noticed the sense of belonging,
as he told how his schooling was done. and the comments that came to my ears
brimmed with memories never forgotten
There were many grades sharing the classroom and with bonds that transcended the years.
from beginners to graduate years, And I saw something far more important
and the teaching would be supplemented than scholastic achievements to earn –
by observing the tasks of their peers. The instilling of life’s higher values
For the big kids assisted the small ones gave those children a reason to learn .
with their reading, to help them advance.
Being part of a mentoring system – Now the One Teacher Schools are far fewer
comprehension was not left to chance. than they were when my husband was young;
and as families move to the cities
They received their own special assignments schools are left with their praises unsung.
to maintain the school’s upkeep and care; As the doors close, one after another,
and they lunched and they played all together – we observe with the sadness of loss;
there was no “generation gap” there! and we sense that an era is passing
And the teacher would have to be ready as we burn every bridge that we cross.
for some duties he couldn’t evade –
like removing a snake from the toilets, But in order to deal with the future
or returning a cow that had strayed. it’s important to look back in time;
and the lessons we learn from successes
These lone teachers were faced with the challenge are like footholds defining the climb.
of adapting the lessons to suit So let’s never forget the example,
many ages at multiple levels shining forth as a faceted jewel
so the seeds of instruction bore fruit. in our spectrum of fine education –
But with consummate skill they succeeded, The Australian One Teacher School!
April 2020 eMuse 11
