I loved high school. I’d had finally adjusted to the high and low tides of adolescence, and most of my family problems were safely behind me. It was time to have some real fun, and usher in the ‘70s and all the drama that decade had to offer.
A big part of my high school experience was reflected in the teachers I had. No, they didn’t wear tie-dyed clothes, hippie beads or braids, but they were still cool. I’m sure you had your favorites for a variety of reasons, and I invite you to share your memories here on the Patch.
Music: Miss Korney
For those of you who thought you could make it big in show business, you probably had Miss Korney as a teacher. A spitting image of Jennifer Anniston, she won the hearts of many including me, demanding nothing but perfection out of every tune you sang. As I had a terrible crush on her, when I was asked to solo, my voice would crackle like a crow, with all my confidence spilled on the floor in front of me. Was it the intimidation of Chris Korney, or just a state of stage fright? Thankfully, I finally got comfortable singing in front of others about 30 years later.
Spanish: Miss Rivera
This hotheaded Latin lady was a real pistol. I did fairly well in Spanish, so I didn’t incur her wrath, but there were many who were really run over by her. She was a stickler for detail, and you’d better pay attention if you were in her class. I think she even swore in Spanish when things would really get out of hand.
History: Mr. Reeves
This easy-going guy made history, my least-favorite subject, absolutely fun. I seem to recall that he was born on Dec. 7th, a pivotal date I’ll always remember. His demeanor was engaging, and his lightly flirtatious nature endeared him to all the women in the class. I didn’t even mind his comb-over. Planes could land on that bald spot and it wouldn’t have mattered to me.
P.E. Miss Reiquam
I’m still a friend with this lady, who is probably in her 80’s now, and lives in Montana. Some of her pals were friends with my mom, which endeared her to me even more. She called my mom Grathy, a nickname I loved, and adopted about 20 years ago. She possessed a keen sense of humor, and for those girls who tried desperately to get out of P.E., she could deliver a few choice zingers which would soon get them reluctantly jogging around the track.
English: Miss Gould
I was always frustrated in this class, as Miss Gould would always give me a “C”. I’m surprised I actually continued my interest in creative writing after being so discouraged by her. She always had a hive of brainy kids buzzing around her desk, but I was never a party of this elite group. Perhaps my IQ didn’t measure up to her high standards. Still, I found her classes compelling, despite how difficult they were.
Math: Mr. Moelter
I still recall the dimples on this guys face, as deep as the Grand Canyon. He wore those Mad Men black horn-rimmed glasses, and possessed an easy and engaging smile. Math was fun in his class, and even though I don’t really remember what a rhombus is, back then, he made math easy enough for me to comprehend. He even advised me to apply to Brown University for college, although our family couldn’t afford to send me there.
Who were your favorite teachers, and the subjects they taught?
