Saw a photo recently of Kindergartners napping. The photo had been taken in the '50's, and it got me thinking about those days long ago. I never napped in Kindergarten because the one I attended at Battles Memorial School in Girard, Pennsylvania was only half a day long so I napped when I got home. However ... I do remember one beloved elementary school teacher at my next school who had a story time after lunch every day when she would read to us, and... we were allowed to lay our heads down on our desks if we wanted. I don't think I ever fell asleep. It was a wonderful time of the day. My favorite.
Now here's the thing. This gentle soul of a teacher made a bonding and calming production out of the whole experience... starting with removing her shoes and lining them up carefully off to the side in front of her. She would always whisper that she hoped the Principal didn't drop in to find her without her shoes. This, of course, make this special reading time even more wonderful. She made it a conspiratorial time just between her and us. I loved it.
Now here is my hope... that someone out there will remember her name. I remember that she was "old" so ... that probably would have made her around 30 to 40 at that time. (I was 8.) This was at the Wright Street School in Corry, Pennsylvania. It would have been around 1957. Perhaps her name was Mrs. Porter? She deserves to be remembered by name -- right up there on the list with the First Grade teacher there who let you borrow books to take home to read even if you were not or never had been her student. Miss? She would wrap each book carefully in sturdy brown paper and tie the treasured parcel with string -- the book became a cherished item worthy of gentle and serious care. I can't remember her name either and am not feeling good about that. Both schools are gone now. I am quite sure that both of these wonderful teachers are gone too. Their names should not be. Help?
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