If you are pictured here, I'd be interested in your thoughts.In conversation with Vicki last year around the bonfire at Echo's, many of my perceptions were verified. Fifth grade in Mr. Dietzer's class was an "interesting" experience.
We learned many things, but most of it was not out of a textbook.
We received military, almost sadistic discipline at times- For talking out of turn, I sat on a tall metal trashcan with a stack of encyclopedias on my lap for an hour... excruciating!
Vicki recalled Mr. Dietzer sending two boys out to run laps around the track, one at each end of an extension ladder, heads between the rungs.
Respect for our elders- The entire class rose to it's feet alongside our desks when an adult, (even a near-adult student) entered the classroom.
Competitive play as a teaching experience... It sure seemed the whole class was outside a lot, weather permitting, playing games.
Anyone know, did Mr. Dietzer have a college degree?
Most of this class ended up in Mr. L's class for sixth grade. Mr. L., do you think we learned what we should have in fifth grade?
This class started the year in the old concrete block-painted white FFA building, then moved mid-year to the new classrooms built East of the existing grade school.
So VK's... anything to share about your fifth grade experiences?
25 comments:
I had no idea anything like that was going on in that room. But then again, I was beyond naive back than.
With a last name like that, maybe he was thinking a mini nazi camp there.
I did have nightmares from a few other teachers though.
I had Mr. Stewart in the 5th and I was very happy in that class.
It is strange the things that come out so many years later.
Mr. Legan and I have talked about Mr. Dietzer's class a few times. You see, Mr. Legan inherited Mr. Dietzer's class in 6th grade and according to Mr. L we hadn't learned a thing in 5th grade. Poor Mr. Legan had to teach us 5th grade and 6th grade work in one school year. He told me that Mr. Dietzer only had 2 years of college. I guess that they were so desperate for a teacher they hired him.
I remember him having us stand when we were called on in the classroom. And I also remember the ladder incident. I dreaded every day of school during 5th grade. I think that may be why I liked Mr. Legan so much. He was always kind and fair AND we learned things.
I don't think Mr. Dietzer had much supervision himself since we were in that portion of the shop building; which was far from the elementary building. I do remember how happy we were moving to the new classroom after the first semester.
One day while we were eating lunch he noticed that I had not eaten my potato salad. He insisted that I eat it even though I told him I didn't like it and couldn't possibly eat it. Well, I don't remember what threat he gave me but I did it the potato salad and went back to the classroom and vomited in the waste basket. My mother told me I should have vomited on Mr. Dietzer but, of course, she or dad never complained of his abuse.
THANK GOODNESS HE ONLY LASTED ONE YEAR......TOO BAD IT WAS OUR CLASS.......MAYBE WE LEARNED HOW NOT TO TREAT PEOPLE!! I hope so.
Bo
I love looking at these pictures to look at our clothes and shoes. We can't see the girls' shoes in this picture; but I'm sure I had on my sturdy brown ugly oxfords....I told my mother ALL the other girls wore patent leather shoes to school but me; it didn't impress her.
I see JT has a big smile on his face and he's wearing his snazzy argyle (sp?) socks!
AND LOOK! No Nikes or Reeboks!
Bo
WOW, I just enlarged the picture and I recognize so many, then there are others, that are literally on the tip of my tongue.I think maybe this old gal needs a name list. LOL.
So many, I know, didn't graduate with us, but still look familiar.
Is it just me, or does that class not look as happy as they should?
Like who is the girl behind Patty, and wasn't that a guy called Sammy?
Bo, I am so sorry you had such a horrible experience that year. I can't even imagine it.
You, I picked out right away.
I must say, you have turned into a very classy lady, I was looking at the lady sitting with Clint Eastwood, in a prevoius post, and thought of Meryl Streep. So slim and elegant. Not a cheerleading skirt in sight.
And I loved the pictures of all the couples at the play, but what is this stuff with BD not aging a bit? Come on BD give up the secret.
You haven't changed a bit.
All of you looked so good that night, it is true, you do clean up very well.
I wanta make clear-
I liked Mr. Dietzer. I didn't fear coming to school... I didn't fear him.
But I'm not at all surprised to hear he only had two years of college when he taught us. And I'm not surprised to hear Bo's comment from Mr. L. about having to teach two years in one.
As I said, I think I learned a lot in 5th grade... just not out of a book.
GoldenGirl, Behind Patty S. is Vicki I., I think... Behind Patty G. and next to Bo is Jane Ann C.
Also, Check out Danny K. shoes. Remember the white bucks that he used to wear?
Bo, I see our friend Richard W. sandwiched between Jamie and Sweet Yvonne.
Look at Marty – he is thinking about something mischievous. And doesn’t Ron S. look a lot like his brother Steve in this picture?
Also, top row 2nd. and 4th. from the right ( as you look at the picture) - 2 Mikes both gone.
Can you name the 5 girls on GB’s left? Is one of them PJ?
GG, Eaton is the last name. And Yes, Mr. Stewart was a great teacher. Wasn't that the year that we took a bus trip to West Lake? Remember that? Nancy L. was also in that class if I remember right...
TD
Okay, thanks, I am getting them figured out, but still in the dark on some.
Wasn't one of the girls left of GB Donna H?
Who was next to Diane D.
Between Bo and Chip?
3 4 5 from the right on the bottom?
Between Jamie and Judy?
Yes, I see danny's cool shoes. He was always the style setter.
I think we might have gone to West lake during the 6th grade, because he and I went as a couple and we wore matching white navy hats and oh, yes, knee socks. We were totally awesome and so cosmic.
OMG I had forgotten all about that.
I have a pic somewhere.
I think the girl to my left in the picture is Cheryl Michaels....I don't know how I remembered that.
TD, I remember Richard now that I've seen his picture in 5th grade...he's changed a bit. The girl to his left is Judy Willoughby.
Fly didn't move to C.G. until 6th grade I believe. I can't remember the most of the girls' names next to GB; except the next to last in the row (with dark hair) is Sharon Parker and last is Doris ? I think.
I wonder if our General RMU has found a way for us to escape Mr. Dietzer!
By the way, look at Mr. D., he sure doesn't look like a happy camper. I think we all were smarter than he was and his only defense was his nasty disposition. Mr. Legan told me he had to study every night to keep ahead of us so he could have his lesson plan for each day.
GH,thanks for your kind comments. If you saw me in person I think you would change your opinion. I'm just a corn-fed Hoosier with hips and thighs to prove it. When I look in the mirror I say, "Hello Grandma!" instead of "Hello Mother!" Ohhh my goodness.
Sorry guys....it's Bo again. Is the last girl in GB's row Doris Brown?
Well GH, let's get our heads together and see if we can figure these kids out.
Bo is right about Cheryl Michaels. I could remember the Cheryl, but the "Michaels" evaded me.
As I recall, the gal sitting immediately to my left was named Wright. I think her brother is the guy sitting next to Patty S., and his name was Johnny. Next to him is Kofie Montgomery, who got her name because her Dad was on an island called "Kofie" during WWII, and he liked the name.
First row, 345 from the right are:
Dickie Farrington, Archie? (not sure of that one), and Kent Pickerel.
Now someone help me...
who are the two guys sitting next to our General? Is one of them Mike George, who we recently talked about having passed?
Back Row, Jane Ann, Kathy, Cheryl Michaels, Chip Fulmer, David Windisch, Pete Tinkle, Gene Rund, Mike Nance, Ronnie Skirvan, Mike George and Marty Umbarger.....whew!!
Bo
I had no idea Mr. D. was so mean.
There was another teacher we had in the 7th or 8th grade. He was a coach and also taught history? in the old school building. He was young but already balding and had a paunch.
I can't remember his name but he could have been the poster child for Unhappy Teacher/Husband/Father. Every time I looked at him, I had the feeling of suffocating. He and Mr. D must have been drowning in the same Lake Disappointment.
Have you seen that TV game "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?"
It would be fun to play that at the mini.
(but we need to "fix" the game so we don't have to take the 5th grade over, ya know what I mean?)
PT--I'm not going to the mini; will miss everyone so much. BUT I am not smarter than a 5th grader! I could only sub up to 2nd grade...after that they know more than me.
Bo
PT-
Doc Bolton seem like a correct name?
Doc Bolton? No, don't think so. He had a BIG belly, didn't he? This guy was younger and smaller but his last name did start with a B I think
Bledsoe?
Ruddy faced!
Larry Bledsoe gave me the only paddlin' I ever got in school...
7th grade.
Yep! That's the guy.
Thank's GH, you are too kind.
We did have a great time at beef and boards.
Bo,
I had forgotten all about Judy Willowby. As I remember, she was a sweet girl, also. Where did she go? You know, looking at that picture, there were quite a few who either moved away or did not continue with us. Maybe they didn't like us!?! Or was it Deitzer......
GB
Thanks for jogging my memory on some of these names.
TD
Yes, Judy was a really nice and quiet girl.
I think we lost of our students to Southport.
Hawk,
You are welcome, I think most of us have mentioned how young you look. I remember Jamie at the last reunion, coming in like a breath of fresh air and looking about 35.
It is hard to believe that 60 is upon us. I remember my grandparents at this age, and they were much older. Lol.
GB
Wasn't there another teacher about the same time the same size as Doc that was there for a short time? Or is this an hallucination?
I think he was a coach also.
There may have been, GH, but I don't remember him. Like UDCS, my yearbooks are all packed away, so I have no way to research...
Help... anyone else?
I know Sharon Riggs is by Vicki Inman and Cheryl Morris in frony of her.
You might be thinking of George Osborn, assistant basketball coach. He was about the same size as Doc Bolton and there at the same time.
I seen in the paper that Gary Payne passed. He was about 6 years ahead of use and lived across the street from the Texaco gas station.
Hawk
I think you are right, it was Osborn. Thank you for that, now I can sleep. Wow, the memories that get jogged.
I saw the front page of the paper and saw Gary's name and thought that was him. He used to talk with me when I rode my pony by his house. I thought he was so cool back then. He lived just a few houses from me.
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