Before She Was My Mom, She Was a Student: Nana’s School Days - Part II

Ever wonder what school was like long before smartphones, Wi-Fi, and Google? Join me, your host Lisa Hill, for part 2 of my interview with my cohost and mom about her K12 school experience that  started school over eight decades ago. Nana will continue to share her stories of chalkboards, recess games, and school days that make today’s classrooms look like science fiction. This is Vice Principal UnOfficed like you’ve never heard it before!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Homecoming Week Survival Guide
• 4:11 Strange School Rules & Punishments
• 7:27 School Programs & Performance Stories
• 10:42 High School Activities & Awards
• 16:19 Cancer, Resilience & Missing School
• 22:17 Today's Education: Advice for Teachers
• 27:04 Parenting & Education Insights
• 30:34 Episode Wrap-up & Previews

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

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Speaker 1: 1:05

Have you ever wondered what school was like long before smartphones, wi-fi and Google? Join me your host, lisa Hill, for part two of my interview with my co-host and mom about her K-12 school experience that started over eight decades ago. Her stories of chalkboards, recess games and school days make today's classrooms look like science fiction. This is Vice Principal in Office like you've never heard before. Part two, so let's get laughing and learning. Attention students, I mean listeners. The stories in this podcast are told from the host's personal and farcical point of view. All names and identifiers have been omitted or altered to protect identities. Now get to class and enjoy the show. Hello folks, welcome back to Vice Principal on Office. I hope you're all doing well.

Speaker 1: 2:11

As for me, I'm just bracing myself for homecoming week next week. And let me be honest if you've ever been a school administrator, you know homecoming week is less school spirit and more survival camp. First you've got the dress-up days, because nothing says learning environment, quite like trying to teach algebra to a classroom full of students in pajamas and wigs. Then there's the endless drama over who's asking whom to the homecoming dance. Honestly, by the time the actual dance wraps up on Saturday night, I'm ready to crawl straight into bed and not come out until spring break. And don't just take my word for it. Ask any high school administrator what they think about homecoming. Trust me, they'll have war stories Enough to fill an entire episode which I'll probably get around to someday.

Speaker 1: 3:09

But for now, let's get back to Nana. As you recall from part one of Before she Was my Mom, she Was a Student. Nana's School Days. Nana shared what it was like to start school over eight decades ago. Today we pick up with part two of my conversation with her, as she walks us through her experiences as a K-12 student in the 1940s and 50s, a time when school looked very different. But the stories are just as unforgettable. But the stories are just as unforgettable. I love listening to stories about my grandparents and I wish you could tell them all day long. But let's jump back to school and school rules. Were there any strange school rules your school used for discipline?

Speaker 2: 3:59

Well, this one I particularly think was weird. I thought so then. If anybody got in trouble, if they talked out of turn or did something wrong, they would have to go to the blackboard and the teacher would draw a circle that was above their height and they would have to stand on their toes and put their nose in that circle for so many minutes, depending on how severe their punishment had to be. I thought that was really weird.

Speaker 1: 4:38

That is a weird punishment and something that could not be used today. Can you say corporal punishment? Anyway, school is now about social-emotional learning and how students feel and connect to themselves and their world. I'm going to guess that did not happen when you were in school. How did the adults treat children?

Speaker 2: 5:02

They treated us like we were not important at all, that we were just not important, we didn't count, we just went to school because we had to learn. To me it seemed there was no nurturing of students, no nurturing, no worrying about how anybody felt. No nurturing, no worrying about how anybody felt.

Speaker 1: 5:25

We're just there. So my understanding is that you were a pretty good student, but we're talking about school rules right now. So did you ever get in trouble? And if you did, what did you do and what was the result?

Speaker 2: 5:41

Oh, yes, I did. I remember this. I had learned to whistle and I was in second grade and so my brothers would have been in fourth and sixth grade. And we did have a male teacher that year. His name was Chester Ryan and I liked him so much. He was funny, he was a good teacher, I enjoyed him, but I could whistle. And so one day, in the middle of everything, I whistled and he turned around and he said who was that? My brothers knew, but they didn't rat on me. He said, okay, knew, but they didn't rat on me. He said, okay, if nobody comes forth, everybody has to stay in at recess. They still didn't rat on me, so I got away with it, but we stayed in for recess.

Speaker 1: 6:38

So can you still whistle?

Speaker 2: 6:40

Yeah, I can, but not like I could then.

Speaker 1: 6:50

So my mom could whistle in school. But were there special programs?

Speaker 2: 7:03

parents could come to like a concert or something, so that teachers could show off what students learned. Every fall around Halloween we would have what we called a program and we would put up curtains so that those could be opened up and there would be what was a stage, because curtains on both sides, and then everybody would be behind the curtains and out would come a student with whatever they learned or the dialogue they had. It was really a form of entertainment and people would come from miles around, crowd the building, they would be full and we would have cake walks and things of that sort and serve sandwiches. One year I volunteered my mom to make six dozen donuts and when she found out that I'd done that, she said no, I'll make two dozen donuts, I won't make six, okay. So then I had to go back and tell my teacher she's not going to do six dozen donuts, I won't make six, okay. So then I had to go back and tell my teacher she's not going to do six dozen donuts.

Speaker 2: 8:11

Anyway, it was something we really looked forward to and there would be maybe two boys that would have a dialogue and it was supposed to be funny and so on, and I still had Rosemary and Junior with me at the third grade and we were each given a poem to learn. And I learned mine and I learned Rosemary's and I learned Junior's, but they just couldn't quite get there. So my mother later said so my mother later said it seemed like every time the curtains opened there you stood with your skinned knees reciting another poem. She said it was so embarrassing.

Speaker 1: 8:54

I'm sure Grandma got over it and I'm kind of surprised she didn't find it funny, because she did have a good sense of humor. So out of your entire K-12 school experience, let me ask what do you remember being the funniest thing that happened in class or at school?

Speaker 2: 9:14

The thing that really sticks with me is we had a substitute teacher. I don't recall what our regular teacher would happen to her, but anyway, here is Mildred. Mildred is a quite large lady and everybody was scared of her. Even the eighth grader, marvin, was scared of her. Anyway, we had in cursive and in capitals, letters across that blackboard were all the letters of the alphabet, and so she announced the first day she was there to sub, she announced, told us her name and then she said now we're going through the alphabet. And she had this booming voice and she started A, r, b, b, and she was. It was voluminous and she scared us, but she knew the alphabet.

Speaker 1: 10:20

Definitely a good thing for a substitute to know the alphabet, but so much for differentiated learning. Anyway, now, earlier in our conversation you shared that when you got to high school you had to wash dishes so you could eat lunch. But you were also very smart and in school activities, very smart and in school activities. Can you tell us about some of the activities you were in and some of the awards that you won while in high school?

Speaker 2: 10:51

Well, my freshman year I was a cheerleader and, along with Mary Jo and Fred, we just had such a good time with that and we had to. We just had such a good time with that and we had to wear these sweaters that were the wrong color for the team, but it didn't matter. We had a sweater with a big D on it for derby and we got to go to all the games. Oh, it was just wonderful being a cheerleader. In my second year of high school I decided to get serious and be a student and so I did, and I did well and I was in school plays. I don't know how I got chosen for school plays, but because I was only a sophomore, plays would be put on by juniors and seniors. But I loved that, I loved the rehearsals, I loved the night that we gave the play and I just loved that being on stage. It was probably just a deplorable event, but again, people packed the gymnasium for that. And then, by the time I was going to graduate, came the night of commencement and I kind of thought I'd be valedictorian, but I wasn't sure and nobody would say who it was going to be, and I still remember Mr Swan's wife announced that I would be the valedictorian and she was on the gymnasium floor and the stage was up here and pretty soon she came toward the stage and she said come get your award, jen, and I was so thrilled and that was the first year that they would be giving a citizenship award it was a big deal. It was the person who had done something remarkable, who had done something remarkable and I didn't know and I didn't really care who got it. And Margaret thought she was going to get it because she was in 4-H and she was one of the, you know, elite group, if you could have that at Derby High. Anyway, came time to present this award and announce that the governor had signed this award and it was going to be presented to someone. And it came time and the PTA president came forward and said come get your award, jen, and I got that. That meant more to me really than being a valedictorian. It was an occasion and I really will always think that the reason I got that was because of my mother's illness and surgery and I missed a lot of school because I took care of her and I think that you know, in that community that was rather remarkable. It was a horrible, horrible time. But I stayed home, took care of her every day for several weeks and I'm thankful that I could help her. And then I finally went back to school. I could help her. And then I finally went back to school and it was a biology class.

Speaker 2: 14:46

Mr Swan and I sat at my desk and I knew we were going to have this biology lesson. So I went. Mr Swan was at his desk at the rear of that floor and I went to him and I said where are we in this? And he showed me the pages that would be a quiz on. And then he said and there's going to be a quiz on these terms, but nobody knows that. Okay, I went back to my desk. Probably a half an hour later it was time for that biology class. I aced it and I looked at him. He smiled. That was a moment that was a moment.

Speaker 1: 15:40

Mr Swan does sound like he was a really good and kind teacher. K-12 education needs more, mr Swans, but can you tell us more about when Grandma got sick and what it was like for you as a student in high school?

Speaker 2: 15:58

Yes, it was an awful time. Again, I was a senior and my mom and I were very close and I was quite observant. I guess I knew that my mom when we did laundry I knew she had blood in her brassiere. And I said to her one day Mom, mom, what is happening? She said I'm okay, I'm okay. And then shortly after that she announced that she was taking a job in Sheraton at a factory and she would ride with the neighbor lady to the job. And I said why are you doing this? And she said well, I have to get insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield. She was a charter member of Blue Cross Blue Shield. She got the insurance, she kept working and then finally she went to a doctor and he said you have breast cancer, we'll have to do surgery. No, he didn't say that at that time. He sent her home from that appointment and then it was several days later.

Speaker 2: 17:22

Our phone rang and that was a phone line that multiple people could be on. I answered it my mom was getting supper and it was the doctor and he said this is Dr Gotch, your mom has cancer, she will have to have surgery. And I'd almost dropped the receiver. I can remember that and I started crying and my mom came rushing in and took the receiver from me and said okay, doctor, what is going to happen? When is it going to happen? He said we have to schedule it. You'll be at the hospital in Leon and you'll need to get blood donors because this will be an extensive surgery. Oh, my world just fell apart, but she had the surgery. My world just fell apart, but she had the surgery.

Speaker 2: 18:20

And my brother, older brother, fred, was home on leave. He was in the Army and so he got his leave extended. So it was the three of us, my brothers and me. And then we had these wonderful neighbors who volunteered. He volunteered, leonard DeJarnett, to be a donor, and my Uncle, jim, also volunteered to be a blood donor. And they all went with us the day of surgery and it was. I can remember sitting there just at the edge of hysteria, and it went on and on, and on and back. Then. It was not a simple surgery and, yes, they needed the blood. And finally the surgeon came out and said okay, it has been done. I think we got it all, but we had to go clear around the hole to the spinal column and take everything. It was awful.

Speaker 2: 19:45

She was in such horrible shape, but we got through it. I think she actually enjoyed if you could say that being in the hospital, because she was being taken care of and she was there. I don't know how many days. It was days and days and days she was in the hospital, and it was days and days and days that I didn't go to school. Finally, we got her home, and she was in good spirits, and I took care of her the best I could.

Speaker 2: 20:30

Each morning, I would go in. She wanted to have her face washed first thing. The first thing I would do, though, would be to stir up the fire, so it was December. It was so cold, and then I'd get the fire going. I'd go in, wash her face when I finally had warm water, and then, every morning, I would fix oatmeal. That's what she had was oatmeal, and she was so depleted, but she was brave. She was brave, and I took the best care I could. And then, finally, came a day when I went back to school, but it was my poor mother. It was a horrible time for her. I know she was in terrible discomfort, but she was a brave lady.

Speaker 1: 21:32

That's quite a story, mom, and one that not many seniors in high school would be resilient enough to get through, but you did so. Clearly you took very good care of Grandma, because how much longer did she live?

Speaker 2: 21:50

Well, she had surgery in the late December of 1952, and she died in May of 1987, 81 years old.

Speaker 1: 22:03

That really did have to make for a rough senior year and I'm sorry you had to live through that. But knowing what you lived through when you were a student, how do you think today's schools compare from what you experienced?

Speaker 2: 22:24

today's schools compare from what you experienced. In my opinion, I think today's students are coddled. I do. I think that they are given privileges that are questionable. We in those days, we were just students and we were there to learn and we better learn. We were no, in no way were we given privileges or no way were we coddled, and nobody ever seemed to think about well, maybe that might hurt his feelings if we did this or that. That didn't happen, then Today that seems to be an ultimate concern in the world of education. Okay, what about the student? How is the student going to handle this? I think we could reach a better happy medium in that regard, that children, students, do not need coddling. It's a real world out there and they're going to be in it. I think they should just be there to learn.

Speaker 1: 23:43

Of course I'm all for taking care of today's students and I agree the world isn't going to be as nice as schools are. But unfortunately I don't think K-12 public education can land on a solid answer with this one. So, knowing that you started kindergarten in 1939 and graduated in 1953, and everything you experienced during that time, what is one piece of advice you would offer today's teacher?

Speaker 2: 24:16

I think teachers should be aware and give consideration to a student who might be struggling, having emotional problems for whatever reason, or might even be involved in drugs. I think some consideration should be given If you see a troubled student, maybe a counselor, maybe something kind of conversation to have with that student, because it needs to be recognized and I think probably troubled students I don't know, but I think they're easy to spot.

Speaker 1: 25:02

Tell me a little bit more about that.

Speaker 2: 25:04

I think that teachers today need to be aware. They need to be aware there's a fine line between recognizing an issue with a student and with coddling that student. You can give help without letting them think, okay, I can get away with anything because I have a problem of some sort. There is a fine line, there is a balance and it is not easy to discern but it can be done.

Speaker 1: 25:55

What's a piece of advice you would give to today's student in 2025?

Speaker 2: 26:01

I think they should realize and know that getting an education is not a form of punishment. They're there to learn. They are privileged to have this education. It's for them, it's to prepare them to go forth in the world. It isn't being punished. You're there to learn and enjoy learning.

Speaker 1: 26:35

Very good advice, mom, but knowing that kids can't do it alone, what piece of advice would you give today's parent?

Speaker 2: 26:44

friend. They're there to guide that child, to nurture that child, to let that child know that they are so loved, that they are so important. They are there to be nurtured, to be cared for, to be loved. The greatest gift you can give your child is to let them know they are loved, cherished and once you're a parent, you're a parent forever. Forever. You don't just put it down and walk away. You're a parent for always.

Speaker 1: 27:37

You got that right, mom. Once a parent, always a parent. Do you hear me, boys? Anyway, it looks like I've reached my last question, so let me ask you, mom is there anything else that you would want to tell us that we didn't talk about, in regard to your K-12 educational experience and how it pertains to today's world?

Speaker 2: 28:02

This is something that really frustrates me in the world of education. I think the average citizen who is not in the world of education does not begin to comprehend what it's like to be a teacher, to be a school principal, to be involved, whether they're a counselor or substitute or whatever. It is probably the most difficult career a person could have because it is constant. It's not something you can put down. It's there. It's a responsibility that can be overwhelming. I wish the average citizen would recognize that and appreciate that it's. It's a tough job.

Speaker 1: 29:12

Well said, mom, and thank you, because it's definitely a job in which you can't make this shit up.

Speaker 2: 29:19

Lisa Ann, do not talk like that you were taught better. Well, kids the dismissal bell is ringing.

Speaker 1: 29:28

So until next time on, Vice Principal in Office, push in your chair, put your name on your paper. Be kind to your classmates. Put your name on your paper, be kind to your classmates, put your phone away and use your indoor voice, or not. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed the tales from Vice Principal on Office as much as I enjoyed sharing them, and it is also my hope that you were not only entertained by this episode, but that you walked away with a little nugget of knowledge that gave you some insight on how working in a school is not for the faint of heart and, as I've said before, life is short, so you got to do the best you can to leave the world in a better place than when you got here. And, of course, for the love of God, see the humor in life. It's a lot more fun and a little easier to get through the ick in life with a smile on your face. Catch you next time on. Vice Principal on Office.

Speaker 1: 30:19

Next time on Vice Principal on Office, join me, your host, Lisa Hill, on October 7th, as I dive into the secret language of K-12 public schools acronyms, From PLCs to PBAS to IEPs. We'll explore why education seems to run on three-letter codes, and how they shape the work in public schools and why they sometimes feel like a puzzle only insiders can solve. Don't miss this chance to laugh, learn and maybe even sharpen your acronym fluency. Catch you on October 7th for LOLVPSOSASAP. A spoonful of K-12 alphabet soup helps grow the show. And don't forget to hit the follow button so you don't miss an episode. Trust me, you don't want to be late for this detention and listeners, if you've got a school story of your own that you think would fit Vice Principal on Office, I'd love to hear it. Just head to my podcast website and send me your story, and, who knows, your story might even get a shout out in a future episode. Thanks so much for listening and for your support.

Speaker 1: 31:37

Vice Principal on Office is an independent podcast with everything you hear done by me, Lisa Hill, and supported through Buzzsprout. Any information from today's show, along with any links and resources, are available in the show's notes. So if you want to do a little homework and dive deeper into anything I've mentioned, head over to my podcast website and check it out. And a big thank you to Matthew Chiam with Pixabay for the show's marvelous theme music and, of course, a huge shout out to my mother. This podcast is for the purpose of entertainment only, like the recess of your day, and not a platform for debates about public education Though you never know, you could learn something. And just a reminder that the stories shared in this podcast represent one lens which is based on my personal experiences and interpretations, and also reflect my unique perspective through humor. Names, dates and places have been changed or omitted to protect identities and should not be considered universally applicable. Until next time, keep laughing and learning.