Butch Loved His 4th Grade Teacher !

When one of my granddaughters, who is in the 5th grade, finished her first week of school, I asked her if she liked her new teacher…”Yes, I love my new teacher!” A good teacher can make a huge difference in a child’s life. I wrote a column three years ago about my favorite teacher, and I want to tell you a little more about her.

When I started school in the fall of 1954, I was somewhat mischievous and hard to control. I wanted to do things “my way.” I liked school, especially art and recess, but my grades, for the most part, were quite average. My first three teachers, Marian Couger, Tessie Stwalley, and Naomi Peterson, were very good, but for some reason I just could not get excited about learning and studying.

My new teacher in the 4th grade was Audrey Cox, who was the younger sister of Mrs. Stwalley. Although she was in her mid-fifties (she graduated from Darlington in 1923), I soon developed a “crush” on her. As a student at Indiana University, she was named as one of the most beautiful girls on campus in 1925. I longed for her approval, as a few other classmates did, so I volunteered to wash the chalkboards, clean the erasers, and sweep the floor. My first three teachers used the paddle, although sparingly, on those who misbehaved. Corporal punishment shaped up a few classmates, but it would not have bothered me. I was used to it at home. Dad straightened me out plenty of times, but Mom didn’t “smack” very hard…even though I acted the part.

Audrey used another method of punishment. She drew a square on the blackboard, and above it she wrote “BABY PEN.” If you misbehaved in her class, she wrote your name in the square. If you were REALLY bad, you had to wear a baby bonnet all day! I did NOT want to misbehave in Audrey’s class. Also, the student at the front of each row was designated as the “row monitor” each day for one week (and we switched seats the next week). Each morning the row monitor checked everyone in his row to make sure they had combed their hair, cleaned their fingernails, and brushed their teeth…and then reported the results to Mrs. Cox.

With Audrey’s encouragement, I showed improvement in all of my subjects, and when I received a report card with all A’s, she gave me a big hug and a kiss. She made me feel special! When the bell sounded for the close of school each afternoon, she helped us with our coats and gave us a kiss on the cheek. I couldn’t wait to be back in school the next day. From the 4th grade on, I was an excellent student and strived to do my best…and in fact, graduated as the valedictorian of my class in 1966.

In 1972, I became a teacher at Darlington. By that time, Audrey had retired, but she often filled in as a substitute. Each time she always came up to me and gave me a hug and told me how much she enjoyed having me in her class back in 1958, and how she was so proud of me. In 1988, I wrote a book about Darlington School, and I interviewed Audrey, who stated, “I taught 37 beautiful years and loved every year of it…because I loved my boys and girls. I had no trouble with discipline because I loved my pupils, and they knew it. It was my love for children that made me want to be a teacher.”

When I was elected Montgomery County Sheriff and took office in 1995, I had to travel down to Greencastle one evening to pick up a prisoner. A former classmate told me that Audrey was in a nursing home down there, and I decided to stop and visit with her for a few minutes. However, the desk attendant informed me that Audrey was in very poor health and usually did not see visitors. I told the attendant to just tell Audrey that Butch was here, and to give her my best regards. But a few minutes later, a nurse came out and stated, “Audrey would like to see you!”

With the help of the nurse, Audrey walked out to the foyer. She had a big smile on her face and put her arm around me…”Oh, Butch, I am so glad to see you!” My eyes watered up, and I gave her a big hug. We sat and talked about the “old days” when teaching was actually fun. She asked about my family, my career, and my hopes for the future. Just as in the past, she made me feel special!

Time passed by too quickly, and I reluctantly had to leave. I hugged her again, and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. I promised to come back and see her soon when I had more time. But sadly, a few days later, I was shocked to see Audrey’s obituary in the newspaper. I was so glad that I had taken the time from my busy schedule to visit with her that evening in Greencastle. I truly believe that God had directed me to Audrey that day.

Everyone has a special person that has made a difference in their life…a parent, grandparent, close friend, employer, co-worker, doctor, or others… perhaps a teacher. I had many great teachers at Darlington, and I am grateful for all of their help, wisdom, and encouragement. But one teacher changed my life. Thank you, Audrey…I love you and I hope to see you again some day!

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 32 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.