tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post265108892375435606..comments2023-09-24T05:20:52.920-05:00Comments on La Tejana: Why I Love Teaching in a Rural SchoolShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-27250942712407765012012-01-17T11:06:09.605-06:002012-01-17T11:06:09.605-06:00Vanilla: I love to hear stories of how school was ...Vanilla: I love to hear stories of how school was taught then. My mom is a retired kindergarten teacher of 37 years and my dad is a retired superintendent. I think it's wonderful you still maintain those friendships. I hope to do the same!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-22668590008606778832012-01-17T10:35:48.284-06:002012-01-17T10:35:48.284-06:00Sparked nostalgia. Your setting reminds me so muc...Sparked nostalgia. Your setting reminds me so much of the school and community in which my teaching career started over fifty years ago. I am gratified that this still exists somewhere. btw, I still maintain friendships with the students I taught then, though most of their parents have passed on.vanillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11978025976591113499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-35291403356350446542012-01-15T15:45:03.428-06:002012-01-15T15:45:03.428-06:00Jenny: I think that those rural schools like the o...Jenny: I think that those rural schools like the one you attended and the one where I teach are too sadly disappearing from our landscape. I wish all schools were operated on those values.<br /><br />I'm like you. Sometimes I visit a large school and I feel almost a panic rising in me. I can only imagine what it does to the kids.Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-52456431265485037842012-01-15T08:02:22.225-06:002012-01-15T08:02:22.225-06:00Dear Shelly,
I enjoyed reading about your school ...Dear Shelly, <br />I enjoyed reading about your school and the way the community is drawn to it. I grew up in rural Michigan and attended a very small school. When we had music programs, the gym was packed. Everyone cared about that little school. It was there that my dream of teaching began. The challenge for me now is that I cannot return to that rare and magical place, where the playground stretched out and into fields and woods. Where the teachers were loving and firm and full of kindness. I now walk into our local elementary school and am completely overwhelmed and intimidated. I could be teaching there now as a sub. It's so close I could walk there. I'm so overwhelmed by it and Elliot had so many problems there that we just stay home. I miss the special place that a rural school can be!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456360103620523621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-7058737366158713982012-01-14T15:10:31.384-06:002012-01-14T15:10:31.384-06:00Thisisme: I really do hear horror tales of how som...Thisisme: I really do hear horror tales of how some students act towards their teachers, and I'm thankful everyday I get to teach the kids I do. Probably 97% of them truly do want to learn. The other 3%, well...<br /><br />Thanks for noticing the new background- thought it would be appropriate for Valentine's! Have a wonderful weekend!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-55165643254770261102012-01-14T15:08:35.108-06:002012-01-14T15:08:35.108-06:00Jenn June: I would have loved to have a part of a ...Jenn June: I would have loved to have a part of a high school class that small. My elementary and middle school were like that and then my high school was really large. The Returnstock- a stroke of genius. I do hope you will write about it- I'd love to hear how it goes! And, I love hearts, too. Thanks, too, but I understood! :)Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-2620394511291801872012-01-14T12:06:04.963-06:002012-01-14T12:06:04.963-06:00I have to say, Shelly, that you're definitely ...I have to say, Shelly, that you're definitely teaching in the best place - much better than the City! It does sound rather wonderful, and I suspect that your pupils want to actually learn. Lovely to hear that they are so mannerly as well. That is something that can be so sadly missing these days. Love your new blog look!Southhamsdarlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-59565342191409297232012-01-14T09:08:02.526-06:002012-01-14T09:08:02.526-06:00I meant that my drawing hearts is boring - not tha...I meant that my drawing hearts is boring - not that your background is! Just reread that and didn't want it to be misunderstood. :)Jennifer https://www.blogger.com/profile/14785197262272189538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-67172365334921441232012-01-14T09:06:32.498-06:002012-01-14T09:06:32.498-06:00I spent my last two years of high school in a rura...I spent my last two years of high school in a rural area and I have such fond memories of it. There were only 33 of us in my graduating class and we're all friends on facebook now. So many of us moved to places far and wide after hs and now we're organizing an event called Returnstock 2012, which will be held at the fairgrounds near our old school this August. I can't wait to see everyone and their children. I have such wholesome memories of that place. I wish I could raise my son there. <br /><br />I love your heart blog background. I know it's kind of boring but I love hearts and whenever I'm drawing or painting with my son, I seem to make hearts. That's about all I CAN draw, lol.Jennifer https://www.blogger.com/profile/14785197262272189538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-13825482881611237652012-01-14T07:41:54.503-06:002012-01-14T07:41:54.503-06:00Odie: I wish every kids had that- a calm, peaceful...Odie: I wish every kids had that- a calm, peaceful and respectful place in which to grow and learn. Doesn't seem like much to ask, but it's far out of reach for too many kids.Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-36853459834093362982012-01-14T07:40:43.907-06:002012-01-14T07:40:43.907-06:00Crystal: I would adore teaching your kids. What te...Crystal: I would adore teaching your kids. What teaccher doesn't like teaching creative intelligent kids?Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-44723863005949368382012-01-14T07:09:59.718-06:002012-01-14T07:09:59.718-06:00This takes me back to Nashville Elementary, Middle...This takes me back to Nashville Elementary, Middle & High School, all on the same piece of real estate. Also a time when there was no thought of drugs, pornography, murder, etc. Just a calm peaceful happy life that was not boring at all. A time when you showed respect to the teachers or else. I really miss those days a lot.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920831144240024660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-20716608117668173352012-01-14T01:04:59.144-06:002012-01-14T01:04:59.144-06:00That sounds so lovely. I would love for children ...That sounds so lovely. I would love for children to attend your school. I would LOVE if you could be their teacher. I would rest easier while they were away knowing they were in your care.Crystal Pistolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384208762919600611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-27040539623629723592012-01-13T21:20:01.101-06:002012-01-13T21:20:01.101-06:00Karen: It would be terrific to work with you! And,...Karen: It would be terrific to work with you! And, I'm with you. Kids who can raise and nurture an animal and see its value over fake celebrity-dom have something really right going on in them.Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-12340639822936509402012-01-13T20:01:16.830-06:002012-01-13T20:01:16.830-06:00I'm sure there are many pros and cons to each ...I'm sure there are many pros and cons to each side, but I kind of like the idea of children who are polite and respectful, and who love their animals more than celebrities. I can't help but think that you make a huge difference in their lives, and I love how they include you in their family events. That would never happen in a bigger city school, so just look how much you'd be missing out on! Makes me want to come volunteer.karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16313237142656662148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-81473381884420590502012-01-13T18:32:28.067-06:002012-01-13T18:32:28.067-06:00Crystal Mary: I'm so glad you had the wonderfu...Crystal Mary: I'm so glad you had the wonderful opportunity like you had. You are so right- it is like one big family, and for kids who have no family or disfunctional ones, the school is where they find the comfort of family.Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-56807827901723504742012-01-13T18:31:09.794-06:002012-01-13T18:31:09.794-06:00Saimi: Country schools are the way to go, aren'...Saimi: Country schools are the way to go, aren't they!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-11627056855570594472012-01-13T17:50:30.690-06:002012-01-13T17:50:30.690-06:00I grew up in such a school as this. I know the won...I grew up in such a school as this. I know the wonder of it and how well you would have been regarded and respected. <br />I especially love that you taught the children's children. How special is that!!!<br />The school I attended in south western New South Wales, Australia, was a farming community also with migrants mainly from Malta, Italy and Germany. Since the majority of these were Italian, we all learned many words and songs from that country. Growing up in a country school brings everyone closer. Its like one large family. Thank you for renewing my many memories.Sr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-23079252806875631272012-01-13T16:59:57.028-06:002012-01-13T16:59:57.028-06:00Man Shelly and I thought I worked in a home town c...Man Shelly and I thought I worked in a home town country school. With the exception of the kids arriving on horseback or a tractor sounds like we have much in common!!Saimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09205857549533433625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-52552595054573222562012-01-13T13:53:56.248-06:002012-01-13T13:53:56.248-06:00Belle: In many ways it is much safer than a big ci...Belle: In many ways it is much safer than a big city school, although there are things that concern me for my students here. My high school was large, too, and like you, I would have much preferred a small school for that.Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-30359340362359519092012-01-13T13:44:45.286-06:002012-01-13T13:44:45.286-06:00Your school sounds wonderful, Shelly. I can believ...Your school sounds wonderful, Shelly. I can believe it is a much safer and happier environment for the kids. I grew up going to church schools in the city and then a huge high school with 3,000 students. I'm sure I would have preferred your school.Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175778756449339363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-83044343633842259232012-01-13T13:43:16.580-06:002012-01-13T13:43:16.580-06:00Thanks for the clarification, friend Tom!Thanks for the clarification, friend Tom!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-82825685451733788612012-01-13T13:42:41.456-06:002012-01-13T13:42:41.456-06:00Jamie Jo: My first eight years of teaching were in...Jamie Jo: My first eight years of teaching were in large schools just like you went to. I taught only the gifted and talented kids in those schools, and while that was certainly rewarding, I appreciate my kiddoes here because they do so much without many of the advantages. <br /><br />You do such a fantastic job teaching your kids. I wish all public schools had caring teachers like you in them and I wish all home schools had moms like you teaching in them!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930262815304757150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-63161655276987157562012-01-13T13:31:56.260-06:002012-01-13T13:31:56.260-06:00What I really liked about this post was that you l...What I really liked about this post was that you let us get to know you a little more. I can just picture your day a little better...a little more. For some reason, I was picturing you in a much larger school, much like the ones I went to when I lived in CA. (like 1000 kids per grade) <br /><br />I love how you write and your rural school totally fits the Shelly we have all grown to know and love!Jamie Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678469484585027738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249763712759401212.post-33481968765522836132012-01-13T13:08:03.021-06:002012-01-13T13:08:03.021-06:00In my case being bussed a long distance to school ...In my case being bussed a long distance to school had nothing to do with desegregation. The boundary line separating the two school districts happened to be two blocks from my home and I was on the side that had to attend the school clear across the county. Thank you for the very kind words, dear friend, and have a great weekend!Shady Del Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03839935472941264414noreply@blogger.com