This was a fun email exchange between Deb Boyko in Australia and Rob Branch in England that I was lucky enough to be a part of. In September 2021, I was planning our 50th Reunion for the following month. Unfortunately, neither Deb or Rob could attend due to Covid restrictions. They shared some high school class memories.
(This is shared with Rob's permission for Deb's friends and family.)
Janet Magraw Howland, R-H Class of 1971
Hi Rob!
Nice to hear from you across the pond. I was just emailing with Debbie Boyko down under in Australia. I just love that I can email around the world now compared to the old days of doing Reunions with snail mail. I love technology! Janet
Hi Janet,
Debbie Boyko prompted one of the best quotes that I have since used for years. We were in math one day with Mr Ayer when she was clearly frustrated with something he was trying to explain on the blackboard. He eventually came back with 'It's clear and obvious to the most casual observer' (it wasn't!!). But I have used this many times over the years :-) Rob
That is wonderful. Can I share that with her??? I think she will love this! Janet
Of course! Between Mr Ayers and Je...Jer...Mr Williamson I got credit for Uni and they got me through a linear algebra course I later took with Herr Fleischner. The worst teacher I ever had ever, ever, ever. He could write on a blackboard faster than anyone could on paper. You could either listen to try to work out what was going on or try to keep up writing and missing any explanation at all. 'Highlight' was the day he covered 14 boards in chalk dust in an hour and at the very last I looked at it and realized I already knew this...Je...Jer...jerr (still can't say it) had taught us this 2 years before but I hadn't recognized a word until the sum up. Rob
HI Janet and Rob,
Oh some of those high school teachers! I think the physics teacher who gave timed tests was the one I disliked the most. He accused me of cheating on the Regents Physics exam because I had trouble completing his physic problems on the timed tests. I did well when there was more time given such as in the Regents. I told him that he needed to use proper assessment tools for his courses so he could see where the students were in their knowledge of the subject and what more they needed to learn. He didn’t like that comment! However, I did go on to remember the terrible teachers when I finally taught in the classroom (at university level). I was much more sensitive to what students needed to learn and how they learned. Fortunately, by then, education was moving forward towards encouraging us to use assessment tools that matched the goals and objectives of the class. We were actually rewarded for trying to help student learning! Ah well… I guess I did learn something from him and some of the other teachers who were frustrating (e.g. Ayers!) I learned what not to do!
Sorry I won’t be seeing either of you this reunion, since our Australian borders are still closed to international travel. Janet, I know you have done a lot throughout the years organizing these events. Thanks for all you have done. Maybe the next one can happen spontaneously, when there are no world wide pandemics! Cheers, Deb
Hi,
Physics teacher? Not Mr Johnson, aka Fuzzy J?? Allegedly set the fuzz on a student's trousers alight with a Bunsen burner! Also went around with a capacitor zapping unwary students. Someone supposedly got revenge by wiring his chair to it one day... Rob
OH - YES~ I had a bit of a senior moment and couldn't remember his name. But it was none other than Fuzzy j!!! I hadn't heard about those other antics, but he was a very weird one! Ha Ha = How fun to remember back all these years! Thanks for recalling my reaction to My Ayers and now reminding me about my nemesis. Those were the days (although I also had some harrowing experiences in my higher education career!). Wish someday we can all come together and tell our yarns ( an Aussie term for stories).. Cheers, Deb
Just remembered another Fuzzy J story (some teachers just attracted them like flies). I don't know if it's actually true but my word I have always hoped so! Every so often one would arrive in class and be presented with a surprise pop quiz. Quizzies they were known as (not quizzes). They weren't long but usually a challenge when no prep had been done by anyone. A girl complained in frustration after one of these, 'Gee Mr Johnson, your quizzies are hard.' His alleged reply was, 'If you think my quizzies are hard, you should see my testies'. Cue laughter all round... Rob
A good sign of how far our education on sexual harassment, intimidation and bullying has come. We didn’t know we had power to stop these old guys throwing there power around. But now, my kids/ grand kids would report that weird man..and consequences would be meted out. And to be fair, I had a French teacher, miss tanner, I think, who wore mini skirts and sat on top of her desk so all could view her crotch ...boys fought for those seats in front of her!! My kids would have reported the inappropriate behavior in the classroom...but we didn’t know to do that, back then. Glad the world has empowered women a bit more..but a long way to go! Enough of my lecture like I used to give...I guess I do miss teaching and creating challenges in thinking. That’s the down side to retirement! Deb
Amen, Deb! How true. You are still an amazing educator. 😊 Janet
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