Thomas Meys

Thomas Meys
Although not a graduate of the Class of '65, I am proud to have had the privilege of affiliation and I certainly experienced much “growing up" with you rascals in that glorious setting.
You students were tolerant, patient, and a challenge to an unsure and struggling neophyte.
I still remember Ellie challenging my statement in an 8th grade English class that "Man is the product of his environment".
How absurd of me to expect a student to write an essay explaining a number of the Social, Economic, and Political causes of the Civil War!!! (During a 50 minute class period).
Carol B reminded me recently that I would not award a marking period grade of "A" unless one submitted an extra credit exercise in U.S.History. Talk about being ridiculous! Well, we all move on and, hopefully, grow in the process.
Even at 82 I have so much to learn! I would love to attempt to teach history today, with all the wonderful biographies that have been written recently. Well, I'm going to continue plowing through Bully Pulpit by Goodwin.
I would like to offer some thoughts as time passes and memories invade my mind. A couple of images, although very touching, I shall never forget. My Oak Street classroom had a bank of windows which, in the distance, offered a splendid view of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of one of my students had died unexpectedly. In the midst of teaching a class I heard the dull tolling of church bells. On walking by the windows I saw the grieving family and friends gathered by the graveside. My heart sank and I felt so sad for this beautiful girl whose life would be so dramatically changed. On a similar note, I was working with the yearbook committee in the library one rainy fall afternoon. The quiet was disturbed by the unnerving sound of the siren summoning the township volunteer ambulance. A beautiful student of my U.S. History 1 class had been struck by a car while she was walking home from school. I found, when visiting the hospital that night, that it was inappropriate to invade the family’s privacy and never had the opportunity to convey my sorrow until the visitation at the funeral parlor and at the funeral. A few days later, her sister entered my classroom and presented me with a broach which her sister had mentioned that I particularly admired. Our memorial yearbook picture has Jill wearing this same broach. My daughter wore this same broach for years while in high school.
Upon entering my U.S. History class one morning I noticed all the seated students had cleared their desks and placed their books on the floor in an almost choreographed fashion. When I asked why they were doing this they responded in unison that they were preparing for me to administer a "pop quiz." I asked how they knew this. "You are wearing a bow tie and each time you wear a bow tie you begin class with a 'surprise' quiz." WOW!
Hope to see Y'all Peace, Tom Meys