What Ever Happened to Those Kids?

Teachers and students are heading back to school already and it’s only the beginning of August. I have to wonder how we, the students of the 40’s and 50’s, became proficient in reading, writing, and math, learned about history and science, and enjoyed art, music, and PE with school in session only nine months each year. I would have hated the schedule kids have now. I’m definitely in the camp of summer break lovers.

Loving my summers is not limited to my days as a student. As a teacher, I also enjoyed summer break. During summertime, I spent many hours preparing for the next school year, while still having the freedom to travel and spend time with my own children. (BTW, despite what many think, signing a nine month contract and then requesting that it be divided into twenty-four pay periods for the sake of budgeting does not mean that teachers have a three month paid vacation.)

I loved teaching and have often wondered about the lives of the elementary and middle school students who were in my classes. Teachers who live and teach in small towns sometimes have the privilege of seeing former students, but those who teach in large cities or move, as I did, usually don’t know about the successes of their former students.

My brother, Dave Lacy, was a math teacher for many years and then a principal for even more. He often posts entries about his school experiences on his blog. Recently, he posted an entry that brought tears to my eyes. If you teach, or have taught, you will probably enjoy reading this account at: http://vanilla-ststt.blogspot.com/2012/07/fields-bad-boy.html

Happy School Year!