Lee Note 67 Math Stories Closure? June 26, 2001

From Barbara Sanders:

AHHHHH, Yes, I remember it well! "Plagens the Plague." Though I could not tell my children stories of "walking miles through sleet and snow to get to school," I seldom missed opportunities to reminisce about this "hardship." Can you imagine the energy we wasted on worrying about that class!

Her very presence intimidated me! I thought I was relatively smart and could learn anything if I really tried. It is nice to know that so many of my classmates struggled with the discouragement associated with the hours we endured in this classroom. How sad that one individual could influence so many so negatively.

This was truly one of those incidences that we can find comfort in "all's well that ends." Take heart, all you math mates--it ain't over yet! Love to you all, and may God bless us everyone.

Barbara Sanders Tyer

From Jo Fuller:

Dear Kay,

My ONLY bad memories of REL are of Mrs. Plagens and Algebra II, so I have loved hearing all the other horror stories of her. Scott Mann was the only person in our class she ever liked or even knew was there! Thank goodness a nice guy in front of me shared his Corn Nuts with me every day, or the class would have been unbearable!! (Funny the things we remember...)

Kay, a special thank you to you for making this communication with each other possible. I'm looking forward to the mini-reunion in July.

Jo Fuller Hinkle

From Margie Morris:

Hi Kay,

I might as well put my 2 cents in! I had taken Algebra I in 9th grade and thought I would get this requirement over with and take Algebra II in the 10th grade and so I did. Most of my classmates were juniors and seniors and much smarter than I was.

The teacher I had was Mr. Colley (I believe someone mentioned a Mr. Collins, but believe it was Colley). This class was certainly a nightmare for me as I was quite bashful and had a hard time getting up in front of any class.

Well, Mr. Colley didn't take kindly to me and by the end of the class, he met me at the door and handed me my report card with a passing grade of C- and said to be thankful and he passed me because he didn't want me to return for another class. Don't believe I learned anything, but I did get my credits!! This was the last Math class that I took.

Another teacher that hasn't been mentioned is Mrs. 'Bugs' Nelson. We were required to get up in front of the class and tell how a hamburger would be digested. I told her that I couldn't do that and she said if I didn't that I might as well turn in my book because she was going to fail me. So I said "here's the book" and I had to take Biology over again. Can't remember the teacher, but passed with no problem. She also required that we dissect a frog and I couldn't do that either. Maybe some of you will remember some good Biology stories.

Lastly, thanks to everyone that has given some input to the mystery tow truck driver. As I mentioned in my original note that I thought it was Charles? And finally I know now that it was Charles Cates and James David Smith. Sorry this wasn't discovered before James passed away.

Keep up the good work, I look forward to opening my mail and reading the latest. Sounds like you all had a great time at the Dallas dinner.

Margie Morris Dolezal

PS from Kay:

Tomorrow, Martha Jones will help start us on a conversation about Latin and Mr. Childress. Anyone wanting to comment on biology is welcome to send notes and we will continue these memories of different classes.