THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406100175
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: Medium
That made her the only first-grade, second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teacher for the entire student body - 22 students.
{REST} In the mornings, Smith started the fire that warmed the schoolhouse before the children arrived, and at lunchtime she fixed their sandwiches. At the end of the day, she stayed late to clean up after them.
``I was well-rounded there!'' she recalls with a laugh.
And, surprisingly, it was those first two years of teaching in rural south central Virginia that were the most memorable in Smith's 37-year career, a career that ends this week in retirement for the fifth-grade teacher at Olive Branch Elementary School.
``I'll miss the children, but I'm not going to miss them that much,'' conceded Smith, 60, with a chuckle, ``because I told them I would sub (substitute teach) for a couple of years.''
Though initially torn between a career in education or one in nursing, Smith, without a doubt, would choose teaching if she had it to do all over again - in spite of the changes she's seen in most parents over the years.
``When I first started teaching, the parents were more interested in the children: homework assignments, behavior - everything.
``They were more interested in sitting down with the kids, going over their homework assignments, making sure they understood what was going on. They would even come up to school to copy the homework assignments from the board. They were very strict parents as far as discipline was concerned. They just didn't tolerate behavior problems with the kids.''
Over the years, Smith has ushered hundreds of children through the fifth grade. And because 35 of her 37 years as an educator have been spent with Portsmouth Public Schools, it is not unusual for Smith to frequently bump into her former students.
``You can't remember everybody,'' she said, ``but I never forget a face. The name will slip, but the face I never forget!''
And, of course, there are a few students that some teachers don't ever forget, as hard as they might try.
``You always remember their names and everything about . . . the troublemakers!'' Smith said with a laugh.
Name: Teila G. Smith
Nickname: Tee
Neighborhood: Prentis Park
Number of years in Portsmouth: 36
Birthplace: Chesapeake
Birthdate: March 18, 1934
Occupation: Fifth-grade teacher, Olive Branch Elementary
What other job than your own would you like? Registered nurse
Marital status: Married
Children: Roger, 31, and stepson Ricky, 41
Fondest childhood memory: Going to the circus and riding on an elephant.
First concert: James Cleveland at I.C. Norcom in 1966
What song or book title best describes your life? ``One Day At A Time''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you would buy? I would buy plane tickets for my family and tour Europe.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Oprah Winfrey because she appears to be a well-rounded person.
Biggest accomplishment: Being selected ``Who's Who Among America's Teachers'' in 1994.
Most embarrassing moment: Wearing a blue shoe and a black shoe to school and not realizing it until one of the students noticed.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be more assertive.
Perfect way to spend the day: Working in my garden.
I can't resist: Seafood and a good book.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Visiting friends in the community.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime and race relations.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
More land area
Lower city taxes
More jobs
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Its location of churches, schools and hospitals.
{KEYWORDS} CLASS OF 1994 GRADUATION
by CNB