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Of many, 2 TEACHERS I APPRECIATED MOST

by Guy Humphries
05/18/24
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Of many, 2 TEACHERS I APPRECIATED MOST

A Tribute to Teachers, “Angels with pencils.” 

Ida Rayburn. In 1939, sixteen barefoot first graders were greeted by our Providence first-grade teacher, Miss Ida Rayburn. She called everyone by their name. She hugged and talked to each child at the door. By name, she prayed aloud for each student followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and The Little Engine that Could. Prior to the end of that school year, we believed that “We could.”

New laws required a certain amount of college to be certified to teach first graders. Having only a high school education and a driving need to care for her ill mother, Miss Rayburn, was forced from education. What a waste!! At her death, I wrote my first Letter to the Editor of the Searcy Daily Citizen extolling her Christian love’s impact on me and my classmates. Someone asked why I waited until she died to pay that tribute. I replied, "While alive, I expressed gratitude face-to-face as she clerked at the Sterling Five and Dime store in Searcy.”

Opal Hilger: She taught 3rd and 4th grades in the same room. When she missed a day, I earned the paddling with her “Board of Education” that she administered before everyone. 

Serving as pianist for our small country church, she was qualified to teach piano.  I took lessons from Mrs. Opal for one year. I quit blaming the name of my recital music, “Little Miss Muffet." That non-macho title drew much intense teasing from my friends. Her School Board President husband died many years later,  I visited her. I reminded her of my short piano career and why I quit.  She laughed heartily and said, “I did not know. I picked the music on the degree of difficulty.”  For her funeral, Her church was filled with friends and school and piano students paying their respects to a “great lady of lifelong Christian influence.” 

Our High School days began with our National Anthem music playing over our first intercom. Our teachers led each class as we sang with pride and “Gusto”.  It was followed by our Superintendent leading in prayer.  He named the students who had requested prayer for their circumstances.  Many students echoed his “Amen.”  

My wife of 72 years and I graduated in 1951.