1928 JULIA MCCLAIN, TEACHER EXTRAORDANAIRE

EACH OF US HAS ONE, TWO, OR MAYBE MORE TEACHERS WHO HAD A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON US. IN MY PERSONAL CASE, I HAD 4. JULIA MCCLAIN WAS ONE OF THEM. SHE DEMANDED PERFECTION AND WAS A STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN. IT WAS SHE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO SHARPEN MY READING SKILLS, TELLING ME THAT I HAD THE NATURAL GIFT OF ELOCUTION. I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT BACK THEN IN 6TH GRADE, BUT I SURE DID LEARN!

1921: EMILY C. REYNOLDS

BEFORE SHE WAS A KUSER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, BEFORE SHE HAD A MIDDLE SCHOOL NAMED FOR HER, MISS REYNOLDS WAS A COMMON, EXTRAORDINARY TEACHER. SHE WAS ALSO A NATIVE OF THE BROMLEY SECTION; HER HOME WAS ACROSS FROM THE FAIR GROUNDS ON NOTTINGHAM WAY. THIS LETTER OF APPOINTMENT AS A TEACHER IS FROM MY KUSER SCHOOL FILES.

Miss Kelly's "Reception Grade"

It's nice to know that the beautiful little nook in Miss Kelly's "Reception Grade" room is still just as it was when I was there back in the late 1930's. I still remember sitting in that little alcove, cutting out pictures from "Liberty," Saturday Evening Post," and "Look" magazine.

1953: The Principals

What a treasure! Ruth Parker and Emily Reynolds as we knew them! Ruth was a teacher when I was a student at Kuser. Emily was the Principal. Thanks to Marsha Church King, former "Kuser Kat" for this wonderful photo,.

Mary Kelly: A Kuser School Legend

There are very few old time "Kuser Kats" who weren't in Miss Kelly's Reception grade. Back then, Kindergarten was known as Reception grade. Miss Kelly's room still looks much the same as it did in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. I recently visited the school, and Ms Crea, the Principal, allowed me to go through the halls and photograph some of the scenes of my childhood. One of the photos I took was the fireplace in Mary Kelly's room; much the same as when I was a boy. How many of you remember sitting on the floor while Miss Kelly read "Dick and Jane" to us? (And let's not forget Dick and Jane's pets, "Puff" and "Spot!"

1921: Emily C. Reynolds

Long before she became Principal of Kuser, Emily Reynolds taught the 4th grade. Believe it or not, this historic letter was destined for the recycle bin!