Several items from this date on my Facebook page:
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At my very irreverent retirement party/roast a young man spoke who was much kinder than my mean old roasters. Bill Fortenberry, who was my student in the mid-seventies, brought tears to my eyes as he remembered our days in that corner room of the "new" building. Now I realize that he was just fulfilling his promise to mention me "often in my speeches". He isn't President yet, but that may yet come.
" Dear Mr Shaw
You know how much I like you. You've always been nice to be (sic). Kinda anyway. My parents like you. And when I become president I will mention you often in my speeches.
So Mr Shaw Ive made good in all your classes.
Your Fan Student
Wm. Fortenberry
P.S.
Get the point
(Drawing of sharp pencil)
Comments:
Keith M. Padgett: You were honestly one of my favorite teachers also. You actively fed my hunger for reading by letting me read well above my grade level and even helping me devour the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in 4th grade!Because of this my love reading blossomed and it has allowed me to create quite an extensive vocabulary. Also, who can forget your classroom reading (in character voices) and the "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" march around the school?!
Terrell Shaw: How many AR points did you earn that year? It was a bunch. Had to wrestle books out of your hands to get to anything else!
Keith M. Padgett: haha, I don't remember how many for that year. But I do remember getting around 800 points the following year.
Rita Lawler: Precious! This belongs in the Rome news
Bill Fortenberry: Did I ever tell you about the year I represented Georgia at the National Title I conference? Sure enough, I was asked to speak, and sure enough, I spoke of you (and Mary Ruth Lewis). This photo, and your comments, made my day. Thank you! Your imprint on my life (and so many others) remains.
P.S. Does class president count? PHS '81!
Terrell Shaw: I've been looking for a college memento tonight and keep finding unrelated goodies. I love the "Kinda anyway."
Denise Shiflett: IT COUNTS Bill!!! You were the BEST!
Shelly Burkhalter: I was so honored to be one of your students. I didn't know Bill was too. You taught me so much and widened my experience early on. You taught me how to play chess. You fried squid for my class. I didn't 't like it, but I will always remember that prior to calamari showing up as an appetizer on most menus, there was Mr. Shaw with his wok encouraging his students to try new things. I was also in your all day class on the day that Reagan and Brady were shot. The things you remember...
Chandler Gray: I know Bill. Great guy!
Ruth Pinson: Terrell, you know I could have filled my speech with endless glowing compliments, but I was told it was a roast.....not a toast!!! You know I always loved working with you and Bill's memories were just symbolic of all the kiddos you've influenced. Glad you're loving your new opportunity to continue teaching!!
Terrell Shaw: You've made my morning Shelly. I hadn't thought of the squid in a long time. We "stunk up" that whole wing of PES!
I think there may have been only one year when I managed to talk the county into bussing McHenry & Midway kids to Pepperell one day a week for Kaleidoscvope. I loved having my "own" room that year - one grade level each day. That may have been the year they turned me down on my pages-long mobile classroom proposal. I wanted to take part of the seats out of a bus and convert it to a classroom on wheels so I could take my classroom to all the schools and even on local field trips.
Do you remember that we sent get well cards to the President?
And you get to continue your outstanding teaching with those grandkids, Ruth! I am jealous. You know, with Marilyn and me together at Arrowhead, a certain blonde comes up in conversation often!
Of course I expected the peninsula story, and was not disappointed.
For those who haven't read about my embarrassing moment:
Tracy Cordle Baker: I told my daughter last night how we made cameras out of oatmeal containers and developed our own pictures, how we sat on Kaleidoscope Rock and wrote poems, I remember the squid and Ed Park brought us seaweed. I remember when your wife was pregnant with your first all the crazy names you had us convinced that you were going to name her. I remember walking through Marshall Forest and the opening of the Braille trail like it was yesterday!
Terrell Shaw: Yes, I wanted to follow the example of my good friend Michael J. Burton who gave Gola Burton the middle name Inita(?) -- a portmanteau of her grandmothers' names, Irene and Burnita. My mother is Ruth and Sheila's mother's first name was Esther, so I wanted Brannon Shaw to be named Rooster. Why wouldn't that work?
Has anyone heard from Edward Park lately?
Tracy Cordle Baker: You also said polly and ester and her name would be Polyester! Haha Ed came to our 20 year reunion and looked exactly the same. He is on facebook. Lives in Atlanta and has 2 beautiful children.
Terrell Shaw: Well, I lied sometimes.
I'd forgotten Polyester.Kathy Wilson: This is a classic!
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| ... Lori Cochran ( Lori Cochran Villarreal ) ... Notice the pencil behind the ear. |
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| ...and Shelly Burkhalter. I was looking for something else entirely and here were these three creations. Shelly emphasized the wire-rim glasses. |
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