I started my life as a grammar
school student at the corner of Albert Street either 1923
or 1924. It contained six grades but by the beginning
of December of that year; the new Northwest one-room school
was opened. It was the only school with a furnace. This
was the last one-room school built in Harwinton.
I spent 8 years at this school.
Many of the best years of my life were spent here. There
was a great closeness with friends. My best friend was
Emma Wesolowski Durstin even through high school (1932
– 1936) and later in life after we were married.
The things I remembered most
were the games and other activities. Some were Duck
on a Rock, Peggy, King of the Hill, Softball, Tag and
Ralevo. These were all simple games.
We also put on our own little Christmas programs for
parents.
I remember most of my teachers. Mrs. O’Connell,
Mrs. Brennan, Miss Terry, Miss Rubin, and Miss Helen
Higg Iston. She was the best teacher we had. I wanted
to follow in her footsteps. She was a disciplinarian
but always very fair. I understand that she became a
principal in Waterbury.
I’ll never forget our graduation program. The
theme was “Good English”. This was a program
that has stayed with me throughout life.
Another wonderful graduation program was the “Lady
of the Lady”. My sister Bernice took that part.
Harwinton fair was a great day for grammar school students.
They had a Wednesday off and walked all the way from
Northwest School to the fairgrounds. We participated
in many ways. Each school had to send a song that was
composed by them.
Mr. Mills, our Supervisor, was a wonderful, kind man
to all of us. We looked forward to his visits and waited
for great stories about Indians. He was well verse in
many fields. He visited our home often. He also was
extremely happy that I had decided to become a teacher.
He helped me get a scholarship to attend college. I
thought it was a great honor when or high school was
named after him. He certainly deserved it.
After high school I went to Danbury State teachers
College. (1937 – 1941). It is now a university.
I received my degree in 1941. my first year teaching
in Thomaston paid only $900.
I married, had a son Frederick
and while he was growing up, I did substitute work in
Harwinton and Torrington. 18 months later, because of
a teacher shortage; I began to teach at my favorite
school; “The Northwest School. I taught for three
years and two months. I had all eight grades with eleven
first graders and three eighth graders that first year.
Every time I had to be home for
my young children I resigned. Whenever I was ready to
go back, there was always an opening for me, mostly
in third grade.
I’ll always remember the
one-room school, the outhouses and simple games and
children helping one another. I also often think of
the closeness of dear friends that lasted a lifetime.
