Fifty-three years ago I taught at Jackson School in Rescue, CA. It was small school district with 2 schools and 14 teachers. I taught in the "new" school which had been finished the year before. The hexagon shaped building was divided into five teaching areas or open classrooms, with a large library in the center. The sixth space actually had walls, and was the teachers' room/supply closet/general purpose room with coffee pot and microwave oven. I team taught with Paul, Gary, Marion, and Delores. We shared an aide, Buzz. We taught over 100 children in the open space area. It was a challenging and eventful two years.
Last week I went to my old school and discovered there were now seven buildings, an amphitheater and several portables. Jackson School now had over 600 students, and the district had expanded to 6 elementary schools and 2 middle schools. What did not change was the beautiful setting. Yet, all was not heaven. The grassy areas around the school are as patchy as they were in 1970. One morning I was greeted with a rattle snake in the little patch of grass outside my door. Another night, I was working late and a bat flew in the building. Teaching in the country had a few downsides.
I learned all this information from a mom and dad muralist team who were painting the facade of two of the newer buildings. They were surprised that the school was that old. You can see the amphitheater, not exactly Roman-style, where kids can enjoy an outdoor assembly.
Trips down memory lane are fun, but you can never go back. Just as the school changed and grew, so did I. That's the way it's supposed to be.
