NEWBERRY COUNTY — It’s been one week since students across Newberry County embarked on a brand new school year and as The Newberry Observer has done in previous years, I got up bright and early (with a boost of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee) and made my way out to a couple of schools to grab a few first day of school photos.
One thing I wanted to do a little differently this year, aside from what you’re reading right now, is go into a few classrooms and take photos. Prior to the first day of school, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and the classrooms I wanted to visit – each with a special meaning for me.
I ventured to Newberry Elementary School and visited my former first grade teacher Denise Evans who told her students I was a “celebrity.” Years ago, Mrs. Evans taught me at Speers Street Elementary – the building now serves as the Newberry College Center for Teacher Education. There are a number of pictures somewhere at my parent’s house from when my mom came into Mrs. Evans’ class at the end of the year back in 2001 and took pictures of all of us. I even found old documents from school with comments from Mrs. Evans on my progress in her class and a note saying I was promoted to the second grade. One note that I found comical was a comment left about my struggles in math at the time and how I needed to take my time. Math just wasn’t my best subject even in my middle school, high school and college years. English, however, A’s all across the board.
Mrs. Evans will always be at the top of my list of my favorite teachers and I’ll take any opportunity I can to visit her or just chat if we run into each other at the grocery store (because that’s where you run into everybody these days.) As I stood at the back of the classroom and watched her do what she does best, I couldn’t help but think how lucky these students are to have her as a teacher.
I also made a trip to Newberry High School and visited my former English teacher Hal Mooneyham. Like Mrs. Evans, anytime I have to go to Newberry High School for an assignment and I see Mr. Mooneyham, I always take a minute to catch up with him. He’s part of the reason why I decided to go into journalism – although in high school I wasn’t quite sure what that looked like at the time. I knew I loved to read and write, but wasn’t 100% certain I wanted to be a journalist. While I was visiting with Mr. Mooneyham, I brought up a memory from when I was his student (sometime between 2010-12.) Mr. Mooneyham sent me home with a letter for my parents one day. Thinking I might have been in trouble, I opened the letter. I mean, it did have my name on it, after all so was there really a crime committed here? It wasn’t a bad letter, but a letter recommending I switch to his English Honors class because he felt like the current class I was in was too easy. Long story short, I ended up not switching to his other class – not because I or my parents didn’t want me to – but because there was a chance my schedule would have been messed up. I was also taking Drivers Ed that semester and unlike my siblings, I was the only one who was able to get into the Drivers Ed class at Newberry High School.
My last stop was to a teacher who, despite never teaching me, I have fond memories of seeing at Speers Street Elementary and have had the opportunity to work with since I’ve been back in Newberry.
I remember being a student at Speers Street Elementary and seeing Mrs. Jackie Holmes and on rare occasions going into her classroom. Even as a little kid, I remember how kind she was (and still is.) When she comes into our office or if I see her at an event, she always stops to speak and expresses her appreciation for all we do at the Observer. I appreciate Mrs. Holmes for letting me come into her class and taking a few photos.
It’s so crazy to watch your former teachers teaching as a grown adult as opposed to when you’re a teenager – although last week, I got to hear a lot about the rules and procedures for classes instead of a full blown lesson and boy have the rules changed since I was a student.
With all that being said, I hope all students and staff have a great, safe school year! And whether this is your first or 30th year teaching, you are all appreciated! We also hope you enjoy the first day of school photos that were submitted to us and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach us at 803-276-0625.
— Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-276-3122 ext. 1867 or kduncan@championcarolinas.com.