Dr. Alma Freeland:  Notes from My Tyler High School Teachers - Smith Co, TX

Contributed by Dr. Alma Moore Freeland
Submitted by East Texas Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 6967, Tyler, TX 75711

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Memories of School Days in Tyler and Some Smith County Schools
1898-1951
By Alma Moore Freeland (1904-1991)

A copy of this book is in the Tyler Public Library.  Permission
has been given by Jerry Moore, nephew, to publish articles from
this book in the Smith County TXGenWeb Archives.

NOTES FROM MY TYLER HIGH TEACHERS OF SIXTY YEARS AGO

When I re-read the following notes which my teachers of long ago wrote 
in my MEMORY BOOK, I decided they picture the entire value system of 
that period. Directly or indirectly they reveal their attitudes and 
feelings toward personal ambition, hard work, duty, faith, 
responsibility, success, failure, courage, example. These were the 
values held by most teachers, parents and students at that time; they 
are the values that inspired our American society, and made it 
possible for our country to attain and hold for a time a place of 
trust and prominence in the world community. How unfortunate that 
those values have disappeared and along with them America's status in 
world affairs. But saddest of all is the result of this change on
 students, families, the church, and the public schools of each 
American community! I keep asking myself what would my teachers 
think about the schools today--poor scholastic attainments, students 
dope-infested, no ambition; parents often ignoring children's needs 
and setting poor examples in conduct and aspirations; dwindling 
church involvement; and government interference and dominance in 
human lives. How many of my teachers would sacrifice individuality 
and join "trade unions" requiring them to carry a sordid banner up 
and down the streets of Tyler?

My dear teachers said long ago:

Mr. R. J. Bingham, my math teacher pointed out:

Alma, success comes only to those who have the courage to push on 
against the tide. May your courage never falter. Edison in youth was 
a 'crank,' I but now he turned and lighted the world. Let us follow 
his example and see how much we can light.

Miss Mettie Rogers suggested:

Dear Alma: I regret that you will no longer be my pupil. may you 
always bring joy to others as you have to me in our work together. 
Love and happiness always for you.

Georgia Weems Cooper (Jones) made predictions and gave praise:

Dear Girl: Congratulations on your brilliant record in your Alma 
Mater, Tyler High. The world will not let you remain hidden when 
you walk out a graduate on your commencement day. The world needs 
women like you will be, and I predict and wish for you every 
success and what is probably more, every real and abiding 
happiness. Yours lovingly and historically.

Adele Henderson wrote:

Dear Alma: I shall ever remember you with affection because of that 
sweetness of spirit which endears you to all who know you . . . 
because of your devotion to the things which will enrich your life, 
and because of your depth of character which will enrich the lives 
of others. Jan. 15, 1923

Mattie L. Jones penned these encouraging words:

Dear Alma:

I have found so much satisfaction in teaching one 
Who always to duty has been so true;
So earnest and sincere, so patient and 	pure.
Do you wonder then that I love you-
So painstaking and thorough; so beautiful in spirit,
While unassumingly 'pluming her wings for flights'
To realms and service of greater heights.

Mary Walker's words inspired me:

Dear Alma: It isn't often you find one who can make "A" in literary 
work and "A" in Domestic Science; and I'm so glad you have that 
common and practical sense that it takes in order to succeed. it 
has been a pleasure to teach you and--an inspiration; and my wish 
is--may there be many more like you. Yours lovingly.