Initially printed November 2024
By Peggy Patterson Mull
A short be aware:
Peggy Mull, who turned 90 this yr, is without doubt one of the trustworthy members of a writing group for seniors that I’ve been main—an outreach exercise referred to as Writing Your Story that’s sponsored by the Presbyterian Houses & Providers of Kentucky. It’s been a pleasure to see how eagerly our group of retirees write about their childhoods and life experiences.
We’ve been writing recurrently, with completely different prompts to get our pens shifting. The one which impressed Peggy to compose “Remembering the Finest Instructor” was an invite to put in writing about somebody who’d had an influence on you, however with no specific suggestion as to the type of particular person that may have been. Apparently, practically everybody within the group wrote a couple of instructor. As a former center and highschool English instructor and, later, a college-level Schooling teacher, I couldn’t assist however be happy.
Peggy wrote about Miss Glennah Powers, who, as you’ll learn beneath, was her instructor in Grades 1 and 6. Some research revealed that Glennah Ellen Powers was born in Elizabeth, WV, within the yr 1884. Most of her life she lived in Barboursville, WV, the place she taught for a few years on the native elementary college. She died in that very same city on the age of 82.
Peggy describes her formative years as “difficult.” Peggy’s household was poor and she or he remembers having to assist do laundry—which was boiled in a kettle within the yard—and prepare dinner for her sister and brother whereas her mom labored. She credit Miss Powers with setting her on a path of success.
The love of studying that Miss Powers fostered has led Peggy to be a lifelong avid reader and traveler. It additionally allowed her to nurture her curiosity in music. From enjoying oboe in her faculties’ marching bands, to performing with quite a lot of symphonies and orchestras, Peggy has cultivated a large musical repertoire. She nonetheless performs to at the present time: a member of the Louisville Dulcimer Society, her latest instrument is the tenor recorder.
Peggy labored as a secretary on the College of Kentucky’s Psychology Division. She was additionally a secretary to the president of Jefferson Neighborhood School, earlier than retiring in 1989. In her retirement, she has learn for the blind and has served as a employee throughout elections.
As an educator, I discover Peggy’s story immensely encouraging. Lecturers hardly ever see the long-term outcomes of their work and it’s gratifying each time we study that we’ve made a distinction. Readers of TEACH could also be at an earlier level than I of their careers, however my hope in sharing Peggy’s piece is to hearten those that are nonetheless within the classroom. If Peggy Mull nonetheless fondly remembers her first-grade instructor, naming her above all of the individuals she has encountered in her 9 a long time as having essentially the most important influence on her life, that’s an uplifting implication for all different educators.
Many, a few years after Miss Powers opened the world of studying to Peggy, she continues to be remembered and honored for her efforts. Might all of us be equally blessed, to know and really feel the ripples emanating from our work.
—Jean Wolph
My first-grade instructor was Miss Glennah Powers. She was what they referred to as within the Forties a “spinster.”
Miss Powers lived inside strolling distance of Barboursville Elementary Faculty; her home was a two story, body, grey home which she shared along with her brother, additionally single. She wore a grey costume every single day—she should have had a number of simply alike as a result of she at all times regarded the identical. Her hair was piled on prime of her head, and relying on how not too long ago she had been to the sweetness store, it had a definite blue hue to it. The clothes at all times got here to simply above her ankles, and she or he wore excessive topped, button-up black footwear. We discovered to like her and thought she knew all there was to know!
Miss Powers was extraordinarily affected person and gave her undivided consideration to every pupil. We have been taught first to print the alphabet, after which the best way to write the letters in cursive. We used lined tablets with the strains being positioned no less than ¾ an inch aside. That approach it was simpler to follow the actions wanted to “draw” after which to “write” our letters. She taught studying, writing, arithmetic, geography that I keep in mind; there might have been different topics but when so, they need to not have made as a lot of an impression.
We had a spelling take a look at as soon as per week even in first grade; cat, canine, can, tub—these have been the primary phrases we discovered to spell and write. I cherished college and Miss Powers. I might hardly wait to return every fall after the summer time break.
After I acquired to sixth grade, Miss Powers was my instructor once more. She inspired us to learn as a lot as we might and each day taught us correct grammar. Many of the college students have been from the agricultural a part of the county, with just a few “townies” within the class. I clearly keep in mind a protracted speak she gave sooner or later, encouraging us to make use of correct grammar at house, regardless that the remainder of our household didn’t, and she or he stated we must always ignore anybody making enjoyable of us for doing it. She additionally stated it didn’t matter if we have been from a rich or poor household (I used to be from a poor household).
She made me really feel very particular as a result of greater than as soon as she would inform me that I used to be , good pupil and would go far. One factor she did which bolstered that was to let me sit within the corridor outdoors the classroom and do additional studying for homework. I used to be at all times the primary pupil to complete an project or take a look at within the classroom, so she managed to maintain me busy and make me really feel good on the identical time. This additionally saved me from inflicting disruptions at school!
Each little bit of grammar Miss Powers ever taught me helped me in later life—to earn a bachelor’s diploma and a grasp’s diploma. My grasp’s thesis had no corrections for utilizing incorrect grammar! I’ll at all times be grateful to Miss Powers for being the most effective instructor I ever had.
Peggy Mull turned 90 years outdated in August and is having fun with a new-found avocation: writing memoirs about her formative years in West Virginia. She is an lively member of Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, the place she sings within the choir and performs within the church orchestra.
Jean Wolph is an writer of academic publications and knowledgeable growth guide. She not too long ago retired after 20 years because the director of the Kentucky Writing Undertaking and practically 25 years because the director of the Louisville Writing Undertaking on the College of Louisville.