Teachers

Butch Class of 60: I think I saw a mention of Mrs. Bratton. She taught Latin, as I remember. It's only a memory, cause you can bet I didn't sign up for a foreigh language. I remember that there was the possibility of Latin being offered in the ninth grade if enough 8th graders signed up for it in advance. Claudette Lindsay ran all over the Junior High hammering on likely Latin scholars to sign up so she could be sure and get Latin I. Well, enough suckers signed up and Latin I would be offered in the ninth grade the next year. Yippeeee! The next year, everyone who signed up was pre-registered and it became one of their classes. Everyone but Claudette! Et tu, Claudette?

Janet, Class of 62: Teachers - I think Mr. Bratton was one of best teachers I ever had. Jimmy Lindsey told a wonderful story about him at one of our reunions. After Mr. Bratton passed away there was a sale at his home. Jimmy's sister went to the sale and found numerous yearbooks each literally stuffed with clippings about students he had taught at Forrest City. He had evidently kept up with students after they graduated and saved newspaper articles that related to them. Mrs. Bratton was also a good teacher. She was really strict but cared about her students. She expected you to do your home work. Karen Moore, Class of 62, can attest to that since she was the center of the story that circulated through FC High for many years about translating a Latin story. And who can forget Miss Smart? Mr. McClure made my life miserable. The only time my parents ever came to school was in my defense for punishment he gave me. Couch Slaughter threw erasers at us in class.

Anonymous: Alice Anne DeRossit was the best teacher ever. She made history come to life and one of the only teachers I can remember that all the kids liked. Miss Engles would get on my nerves! SHe would say Memphis Egypt not the Memphis in Tenn but Memphis Egypt! DUH! (July 24, 2006)

Anyone remember one of the not-so-favorites--Mr. McClure? Eighth grade American History, Sam Smith Jr. High, 1957-58 school year. Just one year--but what a deal he made!!

Bogie said... Others that come to mind--a not-so-favorite, remember her? She was a fairly large woman, (they all were to me at that time), kept pulling her bra or slip straps up in class and study hall. She was well-known for knowing how to "turn the page of the book or magazine". If you were ever lax enough to "flip" pages she made a special trip to your desk or seat to show you and those around you how to turn the page. You gently grasp the top right corner, slip your fingers down the side of the page and "fold" it to the left. Get it? I did--about 100 times!

One of our favorites--Mr. Henley--band director. Did everyone realize that Mr. Henley appeared in the movie "Jaws 2"? When I saw that movie at the theatre, I never suspected I was looking at him--and it was several years later that I really looked at him and on my own decided "that was Mr. Henley!" There was some clairification with other students that I had not gone insane--they also knew he had appeared in the movie.And my all-time favorite--Mr. A.F. Thomas--choir director. He stuck to his guns as a director--I had to take a math course in my junior year and had to give up choir for that one time. I had been in his choir since jr. hi but missed that year. I didn't get to go on the choir trip my sr. year. Mr. Thomas said it was because I didn't take his class in the 11th grade. I was heart-broken.
Mon Jul 10, 10:07:57 AM 2006

Paul said… YES, A.F. Thomas was as cool as he was good. He also put up with a lot of shenanigans from the boys in the choir. We (the others know who they are) used to make farting sounds by squeezing our hands together. Of course it would disrupt everything and trigger giggling fits throughout the choir. His response was the best. He would get this sad, tired look on his face…glance up in our direction…then put his hands on his hips, and state in a tone of resignation as he looked towards heaven…”It takes so little to entertain some people.” And you know, that was a pretty effective response. I didn’t feel so hip making the farting sounds after that. My experience in choir was just great though.

Mr. Bratton was probably THE BEST overall high school teacher I ever encountered. He could have been a professor in a university because he was that smart and that good. He made both geometry and physics understandable and fun.

Mrs. DeRossitt was a joy – both as an excellent teacher and as a mentor. We used to drop by her house unannounced on weekend evenings to visit with her. She always made us feel welcome. I marveled at the fact that she read a book a day – which of course gave her a great breadth of knowledge on a range of subjects.

I had a mad crush on Mrs. Holland (11th grade English). But aside from that, she was a wonderful teacher, got me interested in poetry and writing, and helped me analyze some Bob Dylan songs.

Mrs. Harrington was a very good teacher, an enjoyable friend, and at times an enigma as both. She was an excellent bass fisherwoman – as Jim Machen and I can substantiate. She also had two lovely daughters. We also used to drop by her house in Marianna on weekend nights to see her daught…er…I mean, to visit with her. lol

And then…at the other end of the spectrum was Mr. Shuford. *sigh* Uh…perhaps I should let Jan, Linda, B.J., Nancy, Dora, Gee Gee, et al. cover those stories…