Day 235

Had a good walk before the rain started and then stayed in for the day. I want to make new habits for the inside days including less TV and more moving using the rebounder. It is useful and my joints like it. I went to Tracy for my neck and he wants me to come once more next week. I’m not 100% from the incident on the hill. Today is Tea and stories and I will get cookies plus dusting for my writing friends.

The “first day” prompt brought up a hundred or so flashbacks and I added many to my palm of the hand list. It was difficult to pick one for elaboration. I decided on my first day in a classroom as the teacher.

I completed my junior year at Humboldt in June of 1955 after the long miles of commuting between Scotia and Arcata. College was full of people and moving through classes, learning about teaching. July 1955 I gave birth to twin boys and life became very different with endless baby care and not much else. In 1957, their sister joined them and the world became compacted into the house and babies.

In 1959, I was asked to substitute at Rio Dell school and applied for a provisional credential for that purpose. Aunt Lona was available for baby care and I felt confident with her coming to us. I needed adult time and conversation and using my new untried skills as a teacher. At that time, subs were paid $17.00 a day. When the principal called, I was excited about the change and the experience. So, off I went to teach second grade. The principal took me to the classroom and showed me the lesson plan and left me to lead the class. Suddenly I felt unprepared and when I looked at the kids who were looking at me for guidance, I wanted to go home where I knew how to change diapers and clean the house. I grabbed the lesson plan and off we went to fill the day with learning. Once I took hold, I loved every minute. I realized that this was my skill that I would pursue for my work life.

Until my first full time class in December of 1960, I subbed in two schools. I filled  a notebook with good ideas that I found from experienced teachers. In fact, I learned more from them than I felt I learned at college in the how-to-teach methods classes. It was an excellent way  to start a career and save me from the endless repetition of baby and toddler care. It was stimulating and the connection with teachers was valuable.