The "Educational Memories Of A Lifetime!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to remember when I began my search for what I wanted to do with my life after graduation from high school.  For years I wanted to be a teacher, following the footsteps of a few of my favorite teachers in high school.  

Entrance to Manheim Township High School

At first I wanted to be history teacher and follow in the footsteps of Mr. Berkheimer, my 10th grade history teacher.  Only problem was I didn't like memorizing dates.  Then I decided I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Hungerford who was my 11th grade swimming teacher.  Only problem was I couldn't swim the length of the pool underwater and only got a "C" in the class.  Then I decided I wanted to be just like my art teacher Mr. Miller who I had for my four years of high school.  That was until I had Mr. Lewis for 12 grade math and decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps, especially after I got an "A" for the class.  But, when I went to nearby Millersville State Teacher's College for an interview with an admission officer, I was told my college test scores weren't good enough for the math curriculum.  They offered me  a chance to be an Industrial Arts teacher, which I wasn't exactly sure what that included, but I agreed to walk in the footsteps of whomever I had for shop in high school.  I enjoyed walking in the footsteps of just about every teacher I ever had at Manheim Township High School in Neffsville, Pennsylvania, since after graduation I ended up teaching Industrial Arts at my high school alma mater and walked the halls of my favorite teachers for the next 35 years.  But, throughout my teaching career, I still wished I would have become a math teacher like Mr. Lewis.  It may have been the cane he yielded, due to his limp, or the slight smile he always gave me when I would come up with the correct answer when many around me couldn't figure out the answer.  Or maybe it was the candy he shared with me when I came in for help with my math.  I'm sure we all have had favorite teachers, but I had quite a few of them, starting in elementary school.  

Milton J. Brecht Elementary School

I guess it all started in first grade when I was in Miss Bochi's class.  She did change her name during the year when she got married and became Mrs. Good, but that's not what I remember most about her.  I remember this caring lady who would take me to the water fountain in the hallway to help make my hands warmer on cold winter days when I would have to walk a mile to school.  

Mrs. Good and my first grade class.  I'm top row, far left
while my friend Jere is front row far right. My 1st grade
Sweetheart, Marilyn is in the white dress, center front.

Never knew that cold water could warm your hands, but when they were half frozen, the cold water felt warm.  Also loved Miss Hoover, even thought I was the only one in the class that liked her.  She used to take a ruler and walk around the room and slap it across your hand if you had the wrong answer on your yellow tablet paper.  Not once did I have my hand slapped!   The principal at Brecht Elementary School, my alma mater, was Dr. Bucher.  Always thought he was a real doctor until I got to Jr. High School.  He was a bachelor who lived a few blocks from my home on North Queen Street.  My mom thought it would be nice to invite him for dinner a few times a year so I got to know him as not only my Principal, but as someone like an Uncle.  I'm not sure if that's why I became a Lieutenant in the School Safety Patrol or not.  

Manheim Township Jr.-Sr. HIgh School in Neffsville, PA.

After Elementary School at Brecht, I entered Jr. High in Neffsville.  It was the first time riding on a school bus and the first time to interact with girls a bit more.  As far as my teachers...well they sort of became non-existent to me during that time in my life.  The most influential one though was my music teacher, Mr. Sharr.  The school was so overcrowded that we had to walk across busy Valley Road to the fire house where we had music class twice a week on the second floor of the fire house.  

Jere front left and LDub rear right.
Friends after 75 years.

I was in the boys choir at St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, so I was in good standing with Mr. Sharr.  My friend Jere...well that's a different story.  He had a hard time holding pitch, so Mr Sharr told him he would pass him if he just made his mouth move when we sang.  Well, after years and years of post-high school education I eventually returned and walked the same halls that I had during the late 1950s and early 1960s.  I've had a great time teaching as well as being a student in the Manheim Township School District.  Don't think I would have done anything different...except not shoot that cute girl in the back of the head with a spit ball and straw in the cafeteria when in 8th grade.  Got paddled by Mr. Miller for that!  Guess that's why I never wanted to be a History teacher like Mr. Miller.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.